4 & 8 sound fine to me

What you mentioned sounds pretty good, but would prob go a bit heavier on the 2500 (say 10lb) just keeps you options open. I've got 10lb on a 2500 stradic and have landed good queenies, dollies, rainbow runner ect while still being a good match for small estuary type species. Your smaller 2000 with 4-5lb braid would be a perfect set-up for the "finesse" fishing associated with bream/whiting ect. on small lures. Would be good to hear what the bream nuts on this forum are using?

 thanks for the input, think I'm leaning to 5lb on the 2000 & 10 on the 2500, hanging out to use the smaller combo (Diawa td sol ii 2004 with a Lox 7' rod) felt like a quality reel at the shop,  bring on Xmas, was wondering if the 5lb would handle a big lizard if I had a decent leader on it? 

hey jengle- funny you say that. I've got my 2500 on a lox 7" snapper spin. I havnt seen too many using Lox rods over here. I snapped the tip off mine a while back, for $50 they sent me a replacement half rod section plus a free cap and stickers including the postage from NSW. was pretty happy with that kind of service, especially for a $300 rod.

I reckon you would be ok on a good flatty with 5lb line using at least 10-15lb fluro leader. Even 5lb is hard to break as long as your knots are up to scratch.

 if you use quality leader, tie your knots well and set your drag properly, you'll have no probs.

 those light braids always break at alot more than stated.

Yeah I did have a bit of trouble connecting braid to leader, but I think I got it under control now with a uni - uni, and I'm using Berkeley vanish fluorocarbon leader atm seem to be ok, open to suggestions tho, glad u mentioned that about Lox Ben, I had read there were issues with tips snapping, but they seem to be looking after their customers with that one, touch wood I'm not another with a broken tip, and with the drag only set it too 1/3rd of main line braking strain yeah? 

 Don't forget that different brands have different qualities to the way it casts. Used to use 4lb fireline on one of my reels, tough as but very hard. When you are using little lures it is a pain to cast. On my son's reel I put on 3lb fireline which seems ok for soft plastics. I now use 4lb td sensor on my 2000, much better to cast little lures. Haven't used other brands yet, maybe other fishos here can help out with the other brands and rate them. Very expensive for such little braid so take more time before forking out your money.

cheers

try sunline super pe in 6pound thats what i been running on my 2004 luvius its the smallest pound they make and its super thin thinner than most 4pound and ive been running it on stradic2500's in 8/10 pound and rate it,40 bux for jap line cant go wrong.Also run td sensor in 4pound on a other reel and thats very nice but pricey.

 thanks, I'll have a look at them, have heard good things about td before 

 Your breaking strains are pretty good, especially as most braid breaking strains are well understated (by as much as 50%). Nothing wrong with fireline fo flicking little lures, you just need to let it wear in a little, 3-4 hrs cast & retrieve should do it nicely. Platypus super-braid is awesome stuff, way better than that td sensor stuff. Powerpro is a great all round line that ticks all the boxes.

As for leader, berkley vanish is just shit. If you knots arent perfect they will be piss weak, on top of that it has poor abrasion resistance & lots of stretch. Grab yourself some nitlon or black magic & you will find it much more user friendly.

and 6 lb snag bashing. Have a heavier 10lb set up for snag bashing mulla,s. Once you use fireline for a bit it wears in nicely.(usually a few trips. Forget vanish as a leader. I have been using Viscious. A lot harder and abrasion resistant than vanish.

Jengel- yeah the rod tips on the lox rods are pretty temperamental, to be fair it was my own fault (picked it up by the rod tip with the whole weight of the rod and reel against the rod tip)that's what fishing with a hangover achieves!

My choice with joining braid to short leaders is the Albright knot (quick and easy) and I've never had any issues with breakages. I've used the berkley vanish before and never had any issues, I think good knots are key.

I have sunline in very light weights 2lb, 4lb, 8lb and 10lb and it seems to go pretty well and isnt too $$$

I have some 4lb fireline on a reel that I put on in 2001, its still fine just lost its colour

most of my other braid 20lb + is all fins or power pro which I find a bit coarser but cheap and strong, I buy bulk spools, diameter doesnt bother me a great deal

 Just got some 4lb  black magic leader and I must say I'm a little concerned with how light it is and the cost of the stick baits I'll be throwing around, would feel a lot better with 6lb on Lol, what's ya thoughts

Use what you feel confident with. I usually run 4lb leader for flats fishing & 6lb or 8lb for fishing snags. I only lose the very occasional lure on the 4lb if a big flatty swallows a lure deep & rubs through. No reason you can't use 6 or 8lb on the flats though if you feel more confident in it.