Dypsis

They have them on TW, I think BR blocks TW but you can see them there.

Now that I never knew..... Thanks!

Could buying a composite rod assist with using braid? As I fish a bunch of grass and feel it helps rip it free when needed.

I fish mainly shallow rivers - Potomac, Chickahominy/James, Upper Bay, etc. 2-5' is normal for me. Cover is wood/docks, pad fields and grass. So I am leaning to a H or XH depending on the Manufacturer as I am am wanting something more than my current MH. I try not to get too caught up in budget or a specific rod. Currently just learning, hearing, and taking everything in and with a grain of salt at that. So I can make an educated decision when the time comes. I will certainly look at your's along with everyone else's suggestions, but I think I am still unsure of the direction I am leaning to.

The reason that kind of got me thinking was I have an awesome close quarters rod (6'6"), but was thinking of adding a 7' 2 or 7'4 rod to the mix - for bombing said baits over large grass flats.

So depending on the manufacture I guess I'm somewhere around a Powerful MH, H, or lighter XH. For flipping lets say 3/4oz to pads or spars grass is a softer tip preferred? Or is it no different that what I prefer at say 3/16oz that I use a lot? I dont have a lot of time with 1/2-1oz jigs/t-rig just feeling others preferences (although everyones is different). I have a MH rod for T-Rig currently for weightless to 3/8oz but feel that's about the max I'd go on that rod.

All good reasons, I fish alot of grass and pads so I go braid and it works very well for me.

Ok, well at this point it's a conversation between you and I... I guess this is what I was hoping to get out of this thread, what do people prefer taper, power for lets say 1/2-1oz flipping vs 1.5oz punching (hook set to get the fish moving instantly). I would lean towards a rod for more flipping vs one that is for punching. Like I said I have done nearly no punching and I can't say I see myself doing a whole lot going forward but want to have a rod to do so if/when the opportunity comes.

I have done basically 0 punching before but for this rod maybe 20-30% of the time maybe even less. I have done basically 0 punching before but for this rod maybe 20-30% of the time maybe even less. I have done basically 0 punching before but for this rod maybe 20-30% of the time maybe even less.

Yes agreed, but want to be able to punch grass mats with 1.5oz If possible with the same rod.

Why copoly for spinnerbaits? I throw my spinnerbaits in a lot of grass so I need a MH, I also throw my swimjigs arounds grass so again MH.

I am looking for a rod to pitch with (1/2-1oz tungsten & jigs) to pads, sparse grass, wood, etc. I was wondering if this same rod could double as a punching rod for 1.5oz? I would say 70% of the time I would use for the 1/2-1oz pitching and the remaining for punching. I haven't done any punching so I am not sure what is needed rod wise. What kind of taper do you all prefer with a flipping stick (fast?) vs a punching rod (mod or mod fast?)? Softer tip for one vs the other? Do you care if the guides are single or double footed as long as the rod is rated for what you want? I'm looking at rods around X-Heavy rated from 3/8 oz to 2oz Thoughts and additional info?

Ended up getting a pair of green mirror glass in Rafael. Thanks for all the advice, especially to @Dwight Hottle who suggested trying them on and not buying purely based off what I see online (not sure why I thought it was a good idea anyway). I really liked the the Tuna Alley ones but when I tried them one - hated the nose piece.

That single pack of Yum Dingers put you over the top .

How important are double footed guides vs single footed or is this something you don't think about as long as the power/taper are correct?

I, like many, use the same rod for both baits. I was just curious if someone offered to build you a rod specifically for each what would they be - length, taper and power? Would they be the same, why and where would they differ?

I bought the PP for heavy jigs and t-rig (flip/pitch), but now 95+% of the time it has a frog tied on it - great frog rod! Plenty of backbone but the tip is soft enough to work a frog no problem.

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/goodbye-texas-rig @Catt While I use many of the techniques listed, T-Rig is still king for me.

The 1.2 is an AWESOME bait. I love it around grass edges, docks, or more 'open' laydowns (trees that have only the large limbs left). I do find it's not the best at coming through thicker brush however. It sure as heck gets bit though.

I also use the Bass Mafia 3700, well worth the investment. I also have each size/style in its own little bag (also labeled).

Thanks all, seems like it does get thrown, maybe just quieter. I'll grab a few and see how it goes, although one could get lost in all the millions of skirt colors out there. I just got to thinking last night about how I did well with that color combination with hardbaits but other than watermelon red flake I don't throw much red.

Whenever anyone asks about what color jig to throw or what they like to throw you always here - Black and Blue, some type of Green Pumpkin, maybe a Missuri Craw or PB&J thrown in. But I rarely (almost never in fact - other than @Catt it seems) mention Black and Red. It's a great color for hardbaits (traps, cranks, etc in Spring/Fall) when we are imitating a crawfish among other things - so why not a Black and Red jig?

I bought it for mostly 1/2-3/4oz C-rig - also, jigs and t-rig in that size. But there are only a few places I throw those weights (I fish alot of shallow waters). But wasn't about to spend that kind of money for simply a few times a year. I read how versatile it was and pulled the trigger. I've thrown 1/2oz+ traps on it, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and bladed jigs, as well. I really like it for bladed jigs. It really is a great rod, you'll enjoy it.

I bought the DFM last year and it is probably the most versatile rod in my line up. Not too fast or to moderate. AWESOME rod. What are your plans for it.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Agreed trying on a bunch certainly seems to be smart. I'll have to see where the nearest dealer to me is. Looks like as long as I'm careful glass is the way to go. I'd be curious what would have happen with that cameraman with plastic lenses. @Darren. didn't even think about fakes thank you.