Kurt,

I think it depends on style as to what type of rod/reel combo you use. In Tillamook, I tend to fish spinners or kwikfish in the bay and use an 8 foot gl3 with my trusty old ambassador spooled with 25lb maxima ultra green. Works well for both. If I'm in the herring fishing mode I tend to go with a 7 foot rod, again with 25lb mainline. I tend to run 40lb leaders because of teeth. Hopefully this helps.

Rich