finnor fury is a budget rod and will do just fine. Personally, I like to add a couple more guides in the tip half of the rod but then I like to mess around like that and have the stuff to do it with. Not so long ago my nephews got a 10ft daiwa sensor rod for $160 as new stock with fuji k guides were coming. Campbells have them for $189. You may also consider Penn Prevail for $179 as this has Fuji K guides.  This is important as I have a rod which guide frame just broke and they weren't Fuji. Rod wasn't particularly old and is an Aussie made blank and made by the manufacturer of the blank. You're going to almost nowhere and are far from any repair shop, and even if you can repair it yourself it'll take days to set, it doesn't pay to use Mickey Mouse gear.

Reel wise, the Spheros 20000 is the largest here and is quite heavy for spinning. I was using a Saltiga 6000gt but it's too heavy for me to use for hours on end. I'm coming down to a 4000 Daiwa size which in Shimano is 5000/6000. If you like the Spheros then consider the 6000 or 8000. In the same sizes also look at the Saragosa which has x protect and is only $50 more. Not saying you need a Stella or Saltiga but the Saragosa and Spheros will do the job provided you set the drag properly. Before your trip dress the drag washers so that they do work as designed. 

July time is middle of mackeral season and that's what you're after with ballooning. does one of your mates have a cliff gaff? Depending on spot you may need one. Other things:

Hooks- tarpon or similarly strong 

wire- I use single strand game at least 60-80lb

leader- 80-100lb for bottom

line- mono 30lb, braid 50lb but I've come down to 20/30lb as most braid test to way above their advertised strain

Search other threads as this has been discussed many times before and you'll find a lot of stuff on quobba thru google. 

Thanks kknlk. We have cliff gaffs sorted...borrowing from a mate! My budget has taken a hit so Im going to have to use a Butterworth 12ft rod I have and I've bought a Fin Nor Lethal 100 with 30lb braid on it to spin with and a penn 950 loaded with 50lb mono for bottom. I'll run them on the same rod....not ideal I know but will do for this trip and I'll work on better gear next year!! I'm still no closer to finding a ballooning rod. I've been considering the 9'6" Live Fibre LBG rod but a good friend who has been to Steep for more than fifteen years swears by a 6'5" - 7' rod. I'm not really sure which way to go so any help to guide me in the write direction will be great!

Well said, kknlk, the 20000 is way too heavy to spin with, you will want  something a lot lighter, 5000/6000 in Shimano or 4000/4500 in Daiwa size.

The Prevail, Seajigger, Sensor Surf, Demon blood 962H are all good rods with the 962H proberbly being the best but also the highest cost. I am sure there are many other to do the job as well.

But weight is a real issue if you want to spin for hours on end.

My combo weighs in at 17oz, rod reel and line. Your Saragosa alone is nearly 30oz.

Stax

The Wilson Live fibre rod you are looking at is about $280.00, and more fun than a 6-7 foot stick. They come in an 8 footer and a 10 footer.

 I urge you to find a shorter rod for your spinning. 12ft is too long. As a budget reel in the interim Finnor Lethal is ok, see review by Alan Hawk. Penn 950 is more than enough but it's heavy so I would restrict it's use to bottom fishing.  For spinning see if you can get/borrow a 9'6" or 10'. depending on your strength you may be able to come down to 9'. My stature is light so I need a 10' myself for the distance. See if you can borrow a fibreglass 10'. Many don't use them having graduated to carbon/graphite. Often able to get them for very little. Heck, you can even use a 6' for spinning. This is possible in spots like Camp Rock and 2 mile and even Garth's. Long rod not necessary everywhere. I've even encountered guys using 6' at High Rock. You have a couple of months so check this forum and others like gumtree. Make do for this trip while saving up for the next. 

I'll see if I can borrow a rod kknlk. Thanks.

 Ok but if you can still afford $500 someone here is selling a 6000 Saragosa and a NS Blackhole Cabin 2 Monster rod 9'6" which will suit you. He's asking $250 for each. I'm sure he's open to further negotiation. If you can't afford then maybe next time.