i have a gloomis 956 swimbait rod, rated 25-45lb test and 3-8oz lures. was wonderin if i could use it for fishin 8oz. lures for rockcod.

It will work for shallower fishing (150ft or less). What is more important IMHO is the reel and line capacity when you start getting deeper. Say 200-300ft drops you get your line really bowing especially with some current. You need to have some line left on the spool to reel up the bowed line to hook the fish. Spectra will help but if you plan on charter boat fishing you need to be careful with the spectra. The good thing is you don't need high dollar rigs for rock fishing. My favorite setup is a Penn jigmaster/slammer combo you can get for about 80 bucks at sports authority.