Hi Hawk,
I just finished building a G Loomis 9' STR 1082 IMX spinning rod that has incredible touch and feel. Loomis makes it in a casting rod also. I also have a Lamiglass 8 1/2' G1000 1306T casting rod that I thought was pretty awesome til I used the Loomis for the first time. I think that you would really like the Loomis and it will more than handle the range you are looking for.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff