Hey mate,
I recently went though the same thing. I got a couple of options for you.
I went with a 20lb rod (its actually a 17lb but yeah recommend a 20lb) and run either a sol 3000 or it for a Shimano Ci4. This will handle big trevs, rat kings and some bigger ones on the surface. Ive also got a Lox 7kg which I use for lighter lures. Both of these rods will take kings but I recommend the 20lb rod. 7 foot - 8foot is good.
Ive also got a Spheros (Shimano) in the 8000 size. 15kg of drag and a very nice mid price reel, $200ish. The rod is a 10-15kg Tcurve Offshore. If you need to throw anything in the 30g-100g area including 9inch sluggos, 19cm lures or big poppers this is worth the money. Retails now at about $170. Its a machine and will take anything. This combo brought up a king - landbased on a pier within 60 seconds. The king was 85ish cm. Id put my money into this. It runs 30lb (more than enough) and will cast over 150-200m. Its the 7,6 model from memory (two peice.)
The 20lb rod will be fun, the 15kg gear will stop a freight train as long as you can hold onto it. I would also look at the Triajelo(SP?) if you are landbased mostly.