Alright folks, here's the skinny.

I was blessed with the good fortune to have a cousin in the "outdoor" business who is going to hook me up with a pretty incredible Abel reel (Super Series 7/8N)

I have a total budget of about $350 for a complimentary rod. In terms of retail, it would appear that these are my choices. Which way would you go?

(Also, if you have something to sell in the 9' #8 flavor in this price range, I'm all ears.)

---------- Post added at 12:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 AM ----------

I couldn't fit the full name & link of the Loomis. It's the:

Pro4x - $350 -http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/fly/rods/0/pro4x.html