I have a calstar 800xl that I built following advice from this site. I've thrown the 9" slammer, 7" stocker trout and 7" AC minnows on this rod and it handles them perfectly. I don't think it would have much of a problem with the 12" plugs either. I have a catala 300 on it and it performs great. I don't know anybody that has used a cardiff, but they look like solid reels. The cardiff is about $30.00 more, so it's probably a little better than the catala I would think. -Phil