I have been to the tropics 6 times over the past 10 years and fished in Cuba and Belize using a 10 weight for barracuda, jack, baby tarpon and permit. I have a Sage Xi, Echo 3, and Temple Fork Axiom and TF Bluewater 400-500 grain...each in 10 and 12 weight. Of these I would recommend the Echo (3 or EPR). Echo are amazing rods and quite affordable and come with an extra tip...accuracy or distance; which is good because breaking a tip on a trip is heartbreaking. The Echo EPR I don't have, but tried one and as advertised, they are stupid fast.
There is no sense in my mind paying near one thousand dollars for a Sage Salt, Orvis, Winston, etc., when the wind and other issues (such as a moving skiff and line loops on the deck or in a stripping basket) on the salt render the perfect cast near impossible; rather, learn to double haul and make an accurate cast as quick as possible. Better buy the $500 rod and practice casting in windy conditions and hitting a circle, between 40 and 70 feet out.
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