I used the search and didn't find much.

I have a stock 35 gtr and use it duck hunting and bowfishing. I have started fishing tourneys with it and by the end of the night it will barely get on plane with 2 guys, generator, and bucket full of fish. I would like it to stay in the high 20's with that load but also would like it to last. I've put 150 hrs on it in 9 months (I feel like that is quite a bit). So I'm not looking for mid 30's just something that gets on step well and will last a reasonable amount of time. what is everybodies opinion on what is the happy medium, power vs reliability.

heads, cam, exhaust.

do heads exhaust and carb and you'll be happy, if you want a little more put a cam in it, rods valves etc.

Or vice versa like owen said

I think the heads, cam, and exhaust combo is better for a load, and it can be done alot cheaper if you do the mods yourself. These days it seems like you hear about just as many stock cams failing as you do aftermarket.

i would def stay with stock carb

When y'all say heads, do y'all mean rework the stock ones or go with aftermarket ones?

I would re-work the heads when they say heads we usually mean decking or port & polishing changing the valves to SS... Iron Moutain does this all for you but some still prefer to stay with stock heads so say they preform the same some say stock better after you do everything to it...

I would port & polish heads, deck if you want to really I haven't needed it yet.

Cam for loads, exhaust, I did the mikuni a lot of guys suggested to stay stock but I went for it. I did roller rockers & push rods after doing my cam

Load carrying inreased a lot speeds went up but I was after the load carrying aspet of the mods, speed is just a bonus.