You could run a big board like a TX 44 or the big offshore off a butt section of a rod with 60 lb braid . but with a small boat run the in lines 12s for browns or up to 5 color cores and TX 44s or the big offshores up to a 500 copper. Stick a Sam's pro release on the big boards so the release, and be done with it. I run inlines all summer never have a issue.