I am looking to have a new custom rod built. The builder I use (a member here) has offered several good suggestions. I like having as much input as possible, so I figured I'd ask here also. I've been searching the forums for hours. A lot of the posts are several years old, and I'm wondering if there's new blanks, etc.
I'm looking for a 7'0 - 7'3 rod that I'll use only for flipping jigs around light cover - laydowns, stumps, bushes, etc. Shallow water - 10 ft or less. I'll be tossing mostly 3/8oz jigs + trailer. Sometimes I'll toss a 1/2 + trailer. Not often. I have other rods I can use for heavier stuff, and I have other rods I'll use for casting/swimming jigs.
I don't want to say money is no object, but I'm willing to spend a little more to make sure this is THE rod I want. I find it really hard to choose a blank. I'm not able to handle them before buying them.
The two most important things are weight and sensitivity. For comparison sake, I have a NRX 854 and it feels too tip-heavy to me for comfortably pitching all day. I have a NRX 853 and 893 that I love, but they're slightly overpowered by the jigs + trailer. At the same time, I'm afraid of buying a broomstick that has no feel with 3/8 jigs.
Right now I'm leaning towards the Hydra BC845F-NG. I'm also considering a Phenix K2 715, but have read reviews about it being a little on the slow side.
Any thoughts or other recommendations?