I use an 8'6" Fenwick Steelhead rod. I love it. It would be at the end of your price range, but well worth it. The nice thing about Steelhead rods is that you can fish a wide variety of lines on them. I use mine for 6#, yet it's rated for 10-20#.

Soft tip, but lot's of backbone. It's the perfect perch jerkin' rod
HMX T86MH-2

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!