I see your point
@Tournamag , rod is rated to 275g, so a 200g lead and a rag bait might be ok? I wouldn't be using 7oz regularly, more of a stress test for the rod while I am giving it the "seal of approval"
My usual lead is 6oz around here, only need 7oz at a particular mark or two when the tide is properly racing through, but as that is usually followed by weed I prefer to avoid that anyway. Good point about the lead being outside the tip though for OTG casting, will ensure that is the case.
@jackjock , tell me about it....I am always on gumtree/ebay looking...have had some good ones and now a bad one, but this didn't turn out so bad in the end. I have sold a lot of rods though that didn't suit me, such as C curves etc, I could probably still thin down a few, but I find it so easy to justify keeping them....same for reels