I fish with 5oz sinkers on my Veritas Surf Rods. If fishing calm waters with 4kg line then 4oz will suffice. Cast on grass with 4oz and 5oz sinkers these rods have been measured out to 186m! In a fishing situation you should be able to hit 100m all the time. I will let Phill talk to you about braid shock leaders. Good luck with the new rods. We had them bending in the weekend.