I use a 7' two piece, mainly so I can travel to good lakes on a plane with it.
It's medium-heavy. I put 30 lb braid on it, and I use a 20 lb or 30 lb fluoro leader
on it.
Caught countless northern pike on it ... never a strain at all. Casting or trolling, it works
really well.
Funny, I was casting for walley with my lighter rod ... and a Musky struck. Pulled in a really
nice one with my lighter rod, and 6 lb test line, LOL. That was fun.
85 lbs seems like complete overkill for me.