JettinTheJames

One rod that has caught my eye is the Cashion Element Z2, based on their website the 7'0" MH. I would have thought the M, but they claim that is a ned rig technique specific model. I haven't ever played with Cashion, but if the sensitivity is there, I am intrigued.

My dad used to make his own custom rods, and I have several older St Croix’s he made me that are great, as is a Victory I borrowed, but I’ve been fairly disappointed by their lower end - mid tier stuff the last 5 years. The Avid and Victory are both a little out of my budget right now unfortunately.

I am looking to replace a Dobyn’s Fury FR703SF that I snapped the tip off this past summer. I almost exclusively fish smallmouth in the shallow, rocky upper James River and Virginia portions of the New. I use a lot of “crawler head jigs” with 2-3/4” through 4” solid head tubes, up to 1/4 oz weight on those. I also use a lot of weighted wacky rigs, typically 1/8-1/4 oz with a 5” senko. I love using these on a spinning setup and dragging it along the bottom. I’m looking for a new rod, under $200, that’s going to do as well as that Dobyn’s! I have a GLoomis GCX 822S DSR that I use with drop shot and lighter weighted wacky, but it feels a little soft for these tubes. What recommendations do y’all have for me? Thanks!