NitroZ9

For the spooks and poppers, you might want to consider the Denali Michael Murphy signature jerkbait rod. It's a 6'8", medium and it was designed with a shorter handle to make it easier to work baits with the rod tip pointed down. I throw all my topwaters on it in addition to jerkbaits.

I agree that wanting the "very best" is a pretty open statement. There are very good rods in all the different price ranges and it just depends on what you want to spend. If you're looking at something in the price range of your Skeet Reese, I would definitely look at the Denali Jadewood series. This line is a very big seller for Denali and I honestly don't think you'll find a nicer rod in that price range. I use a Jadewood cranking rod and you would never know it was only a $100 rod. Going up in price is the Denali Rosewood series, which is what I use. They are in the $200 range and are comparable to the Loomis IMX rods I had previously been using. All of these rods come with a limited lifetime warranty.

There is rarely a day on the water that I'm not throwing a rig. I use a 7 ft. Heavy Denali Rosewood Worm/Jig Rod. The same rod in MH will also work fine. I've always thought I'd like to go to a little bit longer rod, but have never found one I liked. Denali has just come out with a Terry Bolton signature model which is a 7'2" Heavy. I think that rod is going to be the real deal for Riggin.

+1 on the Denali Jadewood series. I fish the Jadewood 842 Medium cranking rod and it handles all the cranks I throw. When I got this rod, I was amazed at how small and lightweight the blank was for a $99 rod. It fishes and looks like a much more expensive rod. The Jadewood series is a very big seller for Denali.

You need to look at the Denali Jadewood series. The 7 ft. MH Worm/Jig rod for $99 would probably work for you. This series is a very big seller for Denali and I honestly don't think you'll find a nicer rod in that price range. They look and fish like much more expensive rods.

I started using the San Diego Jam this year and am very pleased with it. I would say it is the best knot I have ever used on flouro.

I would recommend using braid with a flouro. leader. The braid eliminates the problems with line twist and other manageability problems you encounter with any type of line used on spinning reels. I fish a lot of finesse and use this combo. on both shakey head and dropshot. I would never use straight braid in the clear waters I fish. Flouro. is almost invisible under water and there is no braid that is even close. As has already been said, using KVD Line & Lure will also help keep your line manageable. Put it on prior to fishing so it has time to dry for maximum results.

Denali Michael Murphy Signature Jerkbait/Topwater rod, 6'8", Medium, Moderate

I also use braid with a flouro. leader for dropshot and shakey head. The braid eliminates all the line twist and coiling with a spinning reel. I never spool a baitcaster completely full of new line, you're just wasting it, because you'll never use it all the way down to the spool. I leave old line on as a backing and tie the new to the old. That can save you a lot of money when using flouro. As has already been said, try to spool enough flouro. on so you don't get into the knot.

I have three Premiers and they are the nicest reels I have ever owned. Extremely smooth and lightweight.

You need to take a look at the Denali Jadewood series. They are $100 rods that fish and look like rods that are much more expensive. This line is a huge seller for Denali. There are rods in this series for just about any application you would need.

I don't know anyone who has tried BTS that didn't love it. Since it actually bonds to the surface, you don't have to apply it every time you use the boat like other products. Keep in mind that it can be used on everything in/on your boat, ie., seats, motor, trailer, etc. I also use it on the tonneau cover of my truck.

They have their No Nonsense Warranty. Go to www.solarbat.com and you can read the full warranty.

Check out Solar Bat. They have been around a long time and are very reasonably priced. Their top of the line PNVXD lenses are $140 for the Mossback fishing tint. They also have patented gradient lenses which are not available anywhere else. They have either Mossback or Amber tint on the top half and gradually change to high contrast yellow at the bottom. If you come into shaded areas, you can tilt your head slightly and look out the bottom High Con Yellow. I wear the Amber gradients on flat light days and early in the mornings.

I've been using high quality sunglasses for years. The higher quality the lenses, the more optically correct they are which helps eliminate eyestrain. Solar Bat is owned by an optometrist and makes high quality glasses. Their Mossback lens tint is great for fishing.

Take a look at the Denali Rosewood 7' MH Worm/Jig Rod for $200. I have two of them and I could use them for any of the things you mentioned, although it wouldn't be my first choice for cranking. I used Loomis IMX rods previously and the Denalis are every bit as good. They are very light weight with top of the line components.

I'm using a 7 ft. Denali Rosewood Heavy action Worm/Jig Rod for C. Rig and heavy pitching. I rarely use a 7'6" flippin rod because I pitch the majority of the time and the 7'6" is to long for me to pitch comfortably. Very soon, Denali will be coming out with two new Rosewood signature rods which should be great for what you're looking for. The Terry Bolton signature rod is a 7'2' Hvy. action Worm/Jig rod. This should be a fantastic C. Rig and pitching/flippin rod. The Ray Scheide signature model will be a 7'4" flippin rod with micro guides. I think this 7"4" model is going to be very versatile. The Rosewood series rods are in the $200 range, depending on the rod, and are comparable to the Loomis IMX rods I had been using. Denali also has similar rods in their Jadewood series which are in the $100 price range and are big sellers due to their quality versus price.

Take a look at Denali Rods. I use the 7' MH Rosewood Worm/Jig Rod for that type application. The same rod will also work for Carolina Rig, 1/8 oz. Texas Rigs and it also throws wacky rigged Senkos extremely well. It is a very versatile rod. It sells for $200. These rods are comparable to the Loomis IMX rods I had previously been using. Denali also has a Jadewood line of rods that sell for $100. This is a very popular line of rods for Denali. I have the Jadewood cranking rod and I honestly don't think you'll find a nicer $100 rod.

You need to take a look at the Denali Jadewood 7' Med. crankbait rod. It has a very thin blank with quality components and I honestly believe you find a nicer rod on the market for $100. I have one and love it. It looks and performs like a rod that costs a lot more. Denali rods are top of the line and the Jadewood series is a big seller.

Might also want to take a look at the Denali Rosewood Dropshot Rod for $200. I have one with a Stradic mounted on it and it is a great combo. It has an extremely good action for dropshot. Denalis are top of the line rods with quality components.

Check out the Denali Jadewood series. They sell for $100 and I honestly don't think you'll find a nicer rod for the money. I have the Med. crankbait rod but you might want the MH. Very small, lightweight blanks with quality components. The Jadewood series is a very big seller for Denali.

You need to check out that Denali Jadewood cranking rod. I have one and I don't think you'll find a nicer rod for the money.

Denali Jadewood 7' Med. This is a $90 rod and is a heck of a rod for the money.

I throw a Rig all the time and use a flourocarbon leader. The main reason for doing that is because I fish a lot of clear water lakes and flouro. is almost invisible under water. I use 20# main line and 15# flouro. leader. If it wasn't for that, I would use a mono leader.

Take a look at the Denali Rosewood series which run about $200. These are very comparable to the Loomis IMX I had been using in regards to sensitivity. The construction is high quality. As far as 7 foot rods, I'm using the 7 ft. MH and H worm/jig rods. They also have a Jadewood series which range $90-$100.