PGA Dropout

17 lb Assassin

Zodias is a fairly versatile heavy. I used mine to pitch 1/2 oz jigs and frog in pads as well as throw 1/4 oz swim jigs with a different reel and lighter line. Pretty good performance from a $200 rod line that's several years old. The Expride 72H might have a little more power but I think you should not compromise and wait for the 73XH. If a 735 Dobyns is underpowered, you're playing a different game than I.

Purple Alphas? Those seem to be getting rarer and rarer, especially in nice shape. Depending on the upgrades, I'd expect to be in the $200 range on that site where things tend to go a bit higher than the forum markets. Edit: found reel in question I think. Would not pay $200.

No.

Yep. Death screw indeed. A sharp, #1 Phillips has a chance. I bought a Wiha set primarily for that screw. Soft screw with red Loctite; what could go wrong?

Tackle Trap or Japan Tackle. Japan Angler and Japan Lure Shop should have some stuff as well.

Tension is your friend with light (or any) braid. If you notice line getting loose on the spool, tie the line to something, walk it all out, and reel it back on good and snug. I used to use 15 lb. Power Pro a lot and never had major issues. I've also done it with 10 lb. Power Pro but that line liked to cut both leader knot and finger.

I've put a lot of fish on the Elite PF and the Tw Sv 103. The Elite feels "better" (love the knobs) but it isn't the all rounder that I had hoped it could be. The Tw Sv is a very strong performer for the money and really seems like it can do it all. I can't think of more I would want from a $200 pricepoint reel besides maybe a little more bling and not a plastic drag star.

I have the Enox BMJ. Nice rod for the money. If American made matters to you, the Enox line is worth looking into. Otherwise, the Megabass FMJ is supposed to be 'the' 1/2 oz jig rod.

Loomis 843. 12 lb ish fluoro. Copolymer or braid and leader are also fine. Treat paddletails very similarly to other single hook moving baits.

The Twistlock Light is a really good hook but it's just as it says, light. I have rolled a couple of hook points fishing them on MH rods and braid. They're great Senko hooks on straight fluoro.

Various retailers sell Loomis rep samples. However with the current global situation affecting supply chains and manufacturing, I would imagine Loomis won't be supplying a great deal of demo rods in the near future. You could also make friends with pro staffers or influencers who may have the hookup. In my experience, people with the hookup really like to talk about having the hookup, which they probably aren't supposed to do.

Best advice I can give: spend every dollar you can on a jig rod. If you're going to own one $300+ rod in your lifetime, make it your jig rod.

RI Kinky and Spicy Beavers. Awkward names though. A guy and his young son asked me what I was whackin' em on. "Uhhhhhh. . . a plastic."

I'm throwing swim jigs and such on 12 lb Assassin and I like it a lot for moving baits so fair. Very manageable and casts well.

Zodias 7'2 MH or H. I had a Ci4+ a couple years ago and liked how it sat and felt on the Zodias.

If we're donating testicles, aim high. Go for a GLX at least. On topic, if you want to step down in budget and focus on the American Made aspect, the Enox BMJ from ALX ticks all your boxes except weight I think. I just received one, and while I haven't fished it thanks to work exploding, it's a nice build, looks sharp (I'm a sucker for lavender), and balances very well (edge of locking nut) with a stock Elite flipper. It won't match the higher end in sensitivity but what $319 rod would? As for what I've fished: I would not buy an NRX longer than the 7'1. My 853c doesn't balance great and after handling the 893 in store, no whey. Of course, electric sensitivity and light weight, but that's all you get. The Exprides are very good rods and I believe they do punch above their price point, but the warranty is lousy and they are probably over-hyped. Good, solid, but not the second coming. I can tell you that if the Steez AGS did not have the Made in China sticker, I would have bought that. That probably means I should have bought the Xtreme AGS. Still might.

I'm straight fluoro until maybe July when the pads and grass are completely ridiculous. Then, much like you, straight 50 lb braid until the veg starts to die off. However if I'm fishing a jig, I'm looking at Heavy power rods unless it's a lighter hook. Hammer down and drag em out.

Big hook and stiffer weedguard means heavier tackle. I fish a quarter northern style on a different rod and line than a half ounce Coosa. Swimming a flippin jig is a good way to get a couple extra bites after the initial flip.

I would go MH, if not H. I used the heavy Zodias and then Expride for 1/2 oz jigs and I've been happy with both. Half ounce jigs can have pretty beefy hooks. ALSO God bless it guys. This is why we can't have nice things.

Did you have the 2020 Enox? Apparently it's a huge bump from the previous generation. I have a couple MB rods and may get more in the future, but the American made ALX was a big plus given our current global situation. Paying $500 for a Made in China rod feelsbadman.

I have the 72 H Expride and just got the ALX Enox BMJ in. The Expride is a very good rod, well worth the money over the Zodias. However the Zodias is also a good, solid rod line; I have that 72 H as well. The Expride may have more power. The Expride is also appropriately sensitive for its price, though I personally would like a little more help discerning bites from grass. I have pretty high expectations for the Enox and I plan to use it for pretty much exactly what you describe with 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. The Expride is probably going to frog full-time.

Do what feels good. I don't like spinning reels, so I don't use them.

I'm a big fan of the SV after being initially a bit underwhelmed by the plastic drag star and glossy finish. It casts very well with a variety of baits and doesn't feel restricted. For $200 and stock, I'm just about over the moon. I do not have the Long Cast to compare. However I do have the flippin Elite, which has great knobs and feels very solid. I like that reel a lot as well.

I'm a simple guy. I see grass, I flip grass.