How to Choose a Rod

[zippyFX]

That is definately a nice setup you picked up! It will last you years and is definately versitile.

Without a reverse lock button you will either have to leave the bail open or lower the drag. I am not sure that the reverse lock is not meant to be snapped on while a fish is on, doing so may impact the gears in the reel. Not sure you want to do this with a such a nice reel.... Sounds like you are looking for a baitrunner/baitfeeder reel with two drag settings that was ment to be worked this way.

About your line comment, played properly a fish will always exert less pressure on the line than it's weight. the rod will take a lot of the effective force and if the drag setting is correct, the drag will let out line for those big bursts that could break the line. Remember to not lock the drag. This will definately break the line on large fish.

Rember the goal is not to reel in the fish as quick as possible. The goal is too use the equipment to tire out the fish so landing it becomes easy. You want to try to maintain control but you need to let the equipment work for you. That long rod will help alot with big fish.