I use a 6ft ultra light graphite rod with a 1000 size reel with 10lb braid. I use 15lb floro for the perch rig. Feels like a mac truck when you get a huge sheepshead. I always seem to catch big sheepshead and the occasional keeper walleye so I use the stronger line. People will probably make fun of me but a few weeks ago we spent a while just catching big sheeps head on our perch rigs I think it's a ton of fun catching 5-7lb fish on an ultra light rig.