This is a 6' rod to the best of my knowledge I think it is a xxx not sure.
Also pretty sure this is a 6' rod. Definitely not more than a xxx
Extra 6 inches would have been better, not for shipping on the plane, but fighting the fish. I think getting away from the boat reduces the losses at or around gaff time.
Get bigfoot guides or guides that are wide, the torque on these rods when the fish is at an angle is amazing and knots/connections will do much better through big guides also. There may be a downside to big guides but I am ignorant to them.
Scrubs