Rod weight choice has more to do with the size of the flies you intend to throw and the distance you need to cast rather than the size of the fish you want to catch. Some very big fish get landed with small trout rods.
In my opinion, an 8 wt. is the standard for reds and if you get a chance to travel for bonefish, you’re still in great shape. In fact, I use an 8 wt for bream if I’m throwing a big fluffy grasshopper fly or popper but use a 4 wt for small flies like perfect ants, ect.
i tried just for fun a 5wt walmart one the other day and caught a 6lb 26in red on it. i thought the rod was going to snap.it was fun but had to work him hard.
MD, take your yak to copahee and launch with about 1/2 way into the incoming tide. That area is a huge oyster flat lined with spartina grass. On the high tide reds will get right on up in the grass and spend a fair amount of time right on the grass line as long as there’s water.
Thats why they call it fishing, not catching
For what it’s worth an good 8 or 9 weight will get the job done in all but the tuffest inshore applications like big snook or back country tarpon…unless your are fortunate enough to live in South Florida or have more money than God…that’s a rarity for the majority so grab your 8 or 9 and pick up a good tropial weight forward salt water tapered fly line and have at it…you should be good to go for just about anything you encounter inshore or near shore throughout the Carolinas.