I was debating which rod to get, since I had a gift certificate to Fishermans Warehouse, my choices were limited. I wound up buying a Loomis BBR964c which is a 8' rod rated to 6oz. I used it yesterday and liked the results. Before this I was using a fliipin stick. The rod is plenty strong for the 9" Stocker, and throws the 9" Slammer like its a Senko. It's got a pretty soft tip which I hope will help me to keep from losing fish. What do you guys think of this rod, have you used one?