Peter, I tried a Penn PPT Viper last Sunday, off Saltburn pier, coupled up with the 6500. The vipers tip was nice and springy but it had plenty of backbone and it was feather light compare to my PPT Groundcast. Thing is though that both my current rods are Penn and I fancy something different (not a poker) purely for sand/shingle beaches).
I am tempted by a century rod but not sure. It also must be able to handle 6oz of lead (just in case).