I cast one this past weekend at Aaron's "Day on the River." The blank was built up by nextcast of this site and he did quite a phemonemal job if I may add.
He had a Hardy Mach 1+ ( I am not sure of the weight ) and it cast without a hint of any unbalance and threw line out with just the slightest of effort. He did not tell me what blank it was until I finished casting and I thought it was someone else's blank!!!
He built the rod for your exact requirements that you mention in your post. you certainly won't be disappointed.
vinnie