... mention Covid-19 vaccines and you will get an instant bite (my apologies to all for that poor taste joke).

On a more serious note, if looking for one dedicated trolling outfit, I would consider some of the following;
- Look to set yourself up with something close to 50lb line (I upgraded my 30lb trolling to 50lb).
- Mono vs Braid: many people have now successfully adopted braid for trolling. Both Mono & Braid have their advantages, I would go mono if overhead and braid (50lb) if spinning. Braid because you get the strength, extra line and most importantly, a thinner diameter to help keep lures down. Mono is more forgiving (offers stretch in line), but then I can use my trolling spinning outfit (with braid) as a backup bottom bouncing/jigging rod if need be.
- By going 50lb you are then better equipped to troll larger high speed weighted skirted lures, deep divers, etc... that will push the limits of lighter outfits.
- Rod guides are very important for trolling. Far too many trolling rods get snapped near the tip when a lure breaks the surface and the line whips a laso back over the rod, so ensure you have guides (eg. rollers, roller top guide or turbo like guides) that will let the line slip back off (important for overhead rods, not so much for spinning rods).
- Overhead reels have louder ratchet/clickers so you can better hear when fish strike or weed starts taking drag.
- I would not bother paying extra for a 2 speed option overhead ... you will rarely if ever use the low speed ratio.
- Overhead reels provide more line capacity and strong drag but modern spinning reels now provide enough drag plus braid offers more line capacity and are a little more comfortable to fish with.
- Overhead reels offer some specialised trolling hookup tricks that are harder to do with spinning gear (eg. a quick free spool after a non hookup strike or being able to precisely adjust preset drag pressures).

I swap between a dedicated roller overhead (6") with a Tiagra 30W loaded with 50lb mono and a spinning outfit Shimano Heavy Duty Terez (40lb-100lb) 6"9' with a BG6500 loaded with 50lb Tasline braid. Both have caught large pelagics. I prefer the Tiagra for long trolling high speed or where billfish and bigger pelagics are in play (see my current profile pic of Dirk Hartog Wahoo caught on dedicated Wahoo weighted high speed skirt rig) and I prefer the spinning outfit when trolling slower (<8knots) for Mackies when I'll be watching the setup more intently.

Before shopping, definately have a good think about what type of lures and speeds you are likely to be trolling ... don't go too light if you want options.

 My choice would be one of the gold series Ugly Stik range around 7-8 foot.

As you stated you are not too keen on an overhead so eggbeater it is, any of the main brands mid size reels will suit what you need.

Line size, for tailor, herring and salmon I use 30lb braid and the same with mono, its very rare to break off  when you have a straiht run and no obstacles, gives you a good capacity and the thinner diameter allows you to cast furthwr that with the heavier lines.

Always fascinates me when you see these blokes casting for salmon and boasting they are using 60-80 lb braid on 6kg fish, no skill needed there

My rod is an 8 foot ugly with an Abu 6500ca5, 30lb braid, can cast a metal slice as far as I can hurl a mulie and a 4oz sinker on my 12 Butterworth 8 wrap beach rod, the rig is over 30 years old and still works the magic.

 For casting reels would suggest Shimano Saragosa 5000XG or Daiwa Saltist MQ 5000D-H 

Would suggest some nice pe 2/2.5/3 braid, well worth investing in good stuff.

For rods would suggest daiwa demon blood S702-2/3 - good alrounder 7foot

or demon blood S83-2/4 - bit heavier and bit longer for better casting

or same models in daiwa saltist hyper.

also look for shimano grappler type c in:

70L- pe 2.5 nice light stick that casts well 

73ML - pe3 shorter medium stick but still casts well (7'3")

77M - pe3  7'7" pe3 rod that casts very well

but in general look for roughly a 5000(ideally) (4000-6000) reel, in high or extra high speed,

spool up with pe 2-3

rod in the pe 2/3.4 range

in a length that suits around 7-8foot

7foot is good for general, good for casting as well as floatlinging and plastics,

8 foot is good for distance, and can be used LB.

I have the 5000 saragosa on the S83 demon blood with pe2.5

casts amazing and plenty of power

got my mahi as shown in previous report with no probs

 Yep plus 1 on the demon bloods coupled to Saragossa. Also saltist hyper with finnor offshore reels,bit clunky/ heavy but I reckon one of the best drags out there tough as fuck and cheap too ! I see the new DB's are red now

SOME AWESOME INFORMATIN GUYS .

really appreciate the responses, and the time takn.

th e demon bloodsdoo look good. i have one for bottom bouncing, and it has hndled some mega floggings from sharks.  reckon i will look into one of these.

will let you lnow how i go!

Cheers!

 Love my Saragosas and the advice above is spot on. The Saragosa 5000XG and 6000HG seem almost identical, but the 6000 has a deeper spool for holding more line. Both cast the same with full spools and have max drag of 10kg.

If you are mainly flicking lures at smaller pelagics & tailor, and want something easy to use all day, the Shimano Vanford 5000XG is also a good option as it is much lighter than the Saragosas. Nice to cast, max 11kg drag. Line capacity very similar to the Saragosa 5000XG.

All of these are great reels for the same sort of price. I feel the Saragosas might take knocks and last a bit better than the Vanford, but if I was throwing small lures all day I'd favour the lighter Vanford. If I want a good all rounder then maybe two spools for the Saragosa, fitting 30lb on one and 50lb the other.

so just picked up a demon blood 8'3, pe 2-4, paired with a seragosa 5000xg with pe 2 (veriva casting braid). super stoked.

ended up gogin the 8'3 2-4 as already have a tcurve 7'3  so this will fill a new niche.  and prob better casting if shore bsed. went the seragosa as unfortunately despite best intetntions my stuff gets knocked aorund a bit, so figured my last a bit better. thoguh did have a look at the vanfords and they are soooo light!

btw, blue water tackle in jondalup havinga black friday sale, managed to gtet the setup at a very good price cmpared to everywhere else i had looked. very helpful too.

thanks heaps for all the advice! hopefully can hook something decent on it soon, and put it thorugh its paces!

 I put a gomexus knob on my 6000 saragosa love it. Want to put one on my 10000 now 

 Highly reccomend the saragosa's, i've got a 6000 and 10000, very happy with them, the 6k is perfect for 30lb braid. They are well sealed reels too and will last.

 Shimano have great backup parts service if you do your own reel servicing.

 I must be one of the unlucky ones I have two gosas and have had issues with both of them a few times now  , don't think I'd buy another one again , but good luck with your purchase mate