Cool options so far, I was a Bass tourny fisher for 20 years before I moved to Washington and started fishing for Salmon, so I have alot of high end bass rods, mostly St. Croix Avids and a couple Heliums in 7'. I have done a ton of jig fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth and definately value a custom rod built by myself for lightness and balance that equals sensitivity. I do both boat and shore fishing so I was thinking the longer rods will help out in that aspect. I have 3 1143 Rainshadow blanks at home right now, all are IM7 and have not been turned yet. Was thinking of XST 1142/1143's , but wanted opinions from guys that have done alot for the salmon.
Drifter, I LOVE fishing and am not into keeping fish just to say I did, though I do enjoy the eating part as well. So I would definately say I am more into fooling the fish into biting rather than the catching for subsistance part.