St Criox has a plug rod that is a good center rod. It runs a great bait diver. WC80m. However they have a rod in the light salt series that will keep up with the Loomis 9000. I had two made by Greg Rosenbach, out of Lake Stevens. We have hooked steelhead and a nice 29 lbs king on the Skagit. These rods are lite and good in slow water. $250 Cusotm made for both!