Wprich

Got a couple of these herring baits think they were $130 each never thought I'd pay that much for a bait but here we are.

I have 844C in NRX and Conquest been wanting to sell one cause I don't really use them both much. When I do it's normally for full size 1/2 oz chatterbaits, Carolina rigs, magdrafts/daingerous swimbaits, 6" Senkos, and 1/2 oz plus TX rigs/jigs(if I already have something on my 854C). It's also pretty good as a dock skipping rod with a 1/2 oz jig.

Look at a Loomis 803C JWR or 853C JWR which ever of their rod lines is in your budget I like GLX and NRX. I have a 853C myself and love it for light tx rigs and smaller jigs I had a 852C but felt it was too close the equivalent spinning model.

Have a couple 842S not much they can't do finesse cranking, jerkbaits, flukes, neko, wacky, ned, dropshot, minnow shaking, underspins, shakyhead and more.

6"-8" lizard or a Strike King 4" Rodent for me.

Shad rap or a floating rapala

Had the Expride B and currently have the GLX and love it. GLX is more moderate/deeper flex in comparison to the expride imo with a great tip to work the bait while the Expride B was pretty stiff to me. I've thrown 110+1 JR's, 110'S, and 110+1's all on it with no issues. It really launches the full size 110's but it throws the 110 JRs just fine as well and that's what I throw the most. It also works great as a 1/2 oz jigging spoon rod like the queen tackle/war eagle spoons and for throwing Frittsides as well.

This was the year of the dropshot for me be it shallow for largemouth or 35' deep brushpiles it caught the fire out of fish with the Roboworm/Magic Worms. Finally got into topwater this year caught a good bit on the Showerblows, Jackal Riser, and Dog X Jr. Neko rigged them up a good bit when I found a worm bite with the Daiwa Neko Crawler. Paralleling a bank tossing the old Shap Rap 5 or a Frittside will always be a staple and producer for me. Spring time the 110+1 JR was good around nearly any point on Lanier for quality spots. Roboworm 6" Daiwa Neko Crawler 5" Frittside 5/5 JR Z Man bladed jig Evo Mini Max Vision 110+1 Jr Showerblows 77.5/105 1/2 Oz Keitech Finesse Jig Strike King Game Hawg Shad Rap

Open hook with minnow baits I like a MLXF like a Loomis DSR or St. Croix legend series 6'10" MLXF. For dropping or dragging tx rigged worms I prefer a MF like a Loomis 842S or St. Croix legend series 7' MF.

At the time I really only fished shallow so the 2nd 852S was better for me skipping docks/overhanging brush with wacky and neko rigs etc and the other rod pretty much lives with a shaky head on it. Now that I fish deeper a good bit more on Lanier the 872S may have gotten more use and I may would have kept it but back then I found myself leaving it behind alot. I know it's only 2 more inches but it is really noticable on some things.

Pretty hefty price increase from what the Legend X prior gen was and now they have 2 rod lines in the 600's I believe.

Of the ones you have listed that are available 842S or 853C. 842S can do all finesse spinning dropshot, neko, 4" Senko(can do 5" but 4" feels perfect), shaky head, strolling, finesse cranking, jerkbaits, flukes you name it. 853C great bottom contact rod finesse jigs, lightish tx rigs(say 5/16 under), could do chattterbaits if in a pinch, flukes, bubbashot, Senkos. If I could could choose any it would be my faves 852S and 843C due to way I fish.

Strike King kvd splash jr Lobina Rico popper Megabass Dog X Jr.

https://discounttackle.com/products/daiwa-lure-catcher-with-heavy-duty-45-foot-cord?srsltid=AfmBOooGZgA28kbyOcNwjwTkVdf72iazHOFD09G1sv1RhAYdvOioBKwp I use this one has gotten my 110's, Frittsides, shad raps, and spoons back more times than I can count last few years.

I've pulled bass out of weeds, laydowns, and brushpiles on dropshot with my 842S I have the utmost confidence in those rods lol. I use the exact same hooks mostly covershots but fish the downshots as well as the the new BKK dropshot hooks. I had a 852C I tried to like it but ultimately I sold it. I felt if I'm going to fish a rod that soft might as well just fish a spinning rod. I have a couple 852S models now.

Hard to beat that 842S for any dropshot work you do honestly. If I'm dropping on fish below me I'd go 822S but dragging i'd stick with 842S.

Of the ones listed I only have 842S favorite uses are Texas rigged dropshot(can do exposed hook also if needed) with Missile Magic worm, Neko rigging 4" Senkos, and shallow cranking with shadrap 5/frittside Jr. I have a 854C that may be similar to your 873C that I use for dragging or pitching TX rigged 10" worms and creatures along with 1/2 oz jigs.

Steez Ct or an Exsence(spinning)

Wow $4 increase is crazy

I fish the SK Game Hawgs and RI Manbear pig pretty much same thing as the Zoom slender creature baits. I Texas rig them to drag and pitch to structure with usually a 3/16 - 3/8 weight. It is also my favorite Carolina rig bait as well. Carry mostly green pumpkin variations(basic green pumpkin, green pumpkin sapphire, blue craw(favorite)), black/blue, and junebug.

7# or 8# sniper used the most but anytime I'm around docks or brush with a wacky/Neko I use 9# shooter alot

This would be my choice I have the 1 current and 1 previous gen of rhe 6'4" model and love them for crappie, bream, perch fishing.

Loomis NRX/GLX #1 852S or #2 842S

If your Texas rigging I really don't think you'll be happy with the 822DSR.

I like Sunline products like the Asegai/AMZ in 10/12 # on spinning setups and 7-10 # sunline sniper/shooter for leaders.