[Bellyups]

I think you made a great choice. Throwing poppers off the Big E is mostly about how far you can throw it and avoiding downtime with windon knots or overruns. If you can load that sucker with 80 pound braid, buy a 50 pound 7 and 1/2 to 8 foot rod, and heave it as hard as you can, then it will be great for the big E. Man, I never thought to use one, but you have stirred my curiosity. That reel is light and has enough drag. You may be the casting champ if you match that reel with something like a acid wrapped 8 foot GUSA Wahoo rod (The Wahoo may have too stiff of a tip for the medium or smaller poppers and swimbaits). You sure would stand out!