Need rod/reel advice

The other day I was in BiMart and I think that they had the Berkley 8.5' XHvy on sale for about $65 (do not remember the exact price). I think it may be listed in the BiMart little book you get in the mail.

My MIL works for Bi-Mart. 

A few years back, in my Arima at Twin Rivers in the Strait, I hooked a monster halibut, after about 20 minutes I had it 1/2 way up.  My hands were locking up, my back was about killing me, so I had the bright idea to cleat the 85# braid and let the fish pull the boat around until it was exhausted.  Bad idea---the fish snapped the line like it was 20# mono!   Moral----use enough line. 

...My suggestion would be to us a section of 30 pound mono somewhere.  I use 50 pound braid even for light salmon duty as it lasts forever and I can always scale down the leader somewhere.  ...
I'd be curious to know what other think about this....

I have 50# Powerpro on all my saltwater gear regardless of what I am targeting.  Like K_84 I adjust my leader to the target fish.  It can get complicated when you need a wire leader (braid, fluoro/mono, wire, lure). 

The other day I was in BiMart and I think that they had the Berkley 8.5' XHvy on sale for about $65 (do not remember the exact price). I think it may be listed in the BiMart little book you get in the mail.

My MIL works for Bi-Mart.

WhooooHooo. Everybody in the truck, we're going on a road trip to Sedro-Wooley and hang out with sumpnz, and then to Bi-Mart. We're all family, right? 
Joking aside (for just a minute), Bi-Mart has actually become my favorite new store for fishing supplies as they have a great selection on terminal tackle, some rods/reels and a refrigerator full of bait.

The other day I was in BiMart and I think that they had the Berkley 8.5' XHvy on sale for about $65 (do not remember the exact price). I think it may be listed in the BiMart little book you get in the mail.

My MIL works for Bi-Mart.

WhooooHooo. Everybody in the truck, we're going on a road trip to Sedro-Wooley and hang out with sumpnz, and then to Bi-Mart. We're all family, right? 
Joking aside (for just a minute), Bi-Mart has actually become my favorite new store for fishing supplies as they have a great selection on terminal tackle, some rods/reels and a refrigerator full of bait.

You guys are welcome up here anytime.  But you might be disappointed in the Bi-Mart situation.  Given that we'd have to drive the 3 hours back down to Vancouver/Portland to get to one.  I think that would overwhelm any savings.  Nevermind that I only get stuff cheap when she buys stuff - that could at least plausibly be for her.

The other day I was in BiMart and I think that they had the Berkley 8.5' XHvy on sale for about $65 (do not remember the exact price). I think it may be listed in the BiMart little book you get in the mail.

My MIL works for Bi-Mart.

WhooooHooo. Everybody in the truck, we're going on a road trip to Sedro-Wooley and hang out with sumpnz, and then to Bi-Mart. We're all family, right? 
Joking aside (for just a minute), Bi-Mart has actually become my favorite new store for fishing supplies as they have a great selection on terminal tackle, some rods/reels and a refrigerator full of bait.

You guys are welcome up here anytime.  But you might be disappointed in the Bi-Mart situation.  Given that we'd have to drive the 3 hours back down to Vancouver/Portland to get to one.  I think that would overwhelm any savings.  Nevermind that I only get stuff cheap when she buys stuff - that could at least plausibly be for her.

Well, Damn...I can cook if she needs a boyfriend 

She's 60.  And married.