bigfruits

not necessary but you'll be glad once you try one. spend a little bit and get a good one. IMO - dominant hand on the rod is the way to go.

i have ordered 5 reels from them in the past (including Met MGL). gets to my house quicker than TW.

to make it a bit confusing -a JWR rod that has many models in a manufacture's line up (Loomis 852c for example) might have some lighter models meant for light wire plastics that could be a very different rod than the typical "jig and worm" rod from a lineup of technique specific models (St.Croix Mojo Bass Jig N Worm for example). in my mind a jig and worm rod would be a MH-H rod with a good backbone. a complete lineup of jig and worm rods would just mean plastic vs moving bait specific.

man, you gotta try buzzbaits sometime.

10-4. just wanted to make it clear to OP and anyone that may be looking for a senko rod. i love the 852c for 1/8-3/16 jigs and plastics. 4"-5" senkos, weightless and light t-rig zoom lizards, shakey jig. the NRX spinning version is my favorite spinning rod by far.

so although these are "worms" i think when a manufacturer calls it a "jig and worm" they are referring to heavier hooks and a bit more weight. i'd consider the 852c a "mag finesse" if you will, not what id want when pitching jigs to cover.

All of my reels are Shimano now although I like and have owned plenty of Daiwas. i have been buying the $300 Shimano JDM reels the last few years. Aldebaran, Metanium. At a lower price point, the Curado 70/71 would be my choice. Although not as small as the Aldebaran, it is more comfortable in my hands and holds plenty of line for 99% of my large mouth fishing.

to me a jig and worm rod is sensitive to feel light bites and powerful enough to drive worm and jig hooks home. a med heavy or heavy usually. this rod wouldnt necessarily be ideal for weightless t-rig or wacky but if you can cast it well (senkos are heavy!) knock yourself out. IMO a "jig and worm" rod is not needed to bury the hook with light hooks in open water.

worm weights are cheap and small. no need to simplify there. id have 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2oz with me all the time at a minimum. adjust depending on bait, rod used, depth, wind, cover etc.

id say yes. i have more 8.x:1 than 6.x:1 reels.

you need to get them to upgrade you to the brigadier version. vertec if given the option...

11.5" pistol (for another 6-10 mos)

never have been and never will. best voice there is, no doubt, but not worth selling my soul.

more important than weight is balance IMO. i have several rods that are heavier than others but feel lighter because of balance. 3 and 4 power NRX vs F5 and F6 2017 Destroyers, for example. listed true weight, balance and tip stiffness would be very helpful. universal standards would be impossible on the latter but it might be helpful when familiar with other models of the same brand...