OK. Thanks for all your input. I took what I like and paired it with your advice and ordered the following:

Shimano Stradic 1000, Extreme BPS 5'6" UL rod, P-Line Floroclear 4# test.

The reel is larger than the 750 and considerably nicer than the Symetre. The rod is top shelf, one piece, and right in the middle (shorter for control than 6', longer for distance than 5'). If I don't like it, it can always go back for a refund or exchange - but I am thinking that I should be very pleased with the configuration.