...

Can't complain about my ML Carbonlite. It's great for 

light weights paired up with my Chronarch 50e.

 

Happens to be a black model, but the new whites should

be quite similar.

It's a few bucks more than what you mentioned but I have G. Loomis CBR 783 that I love.  It is a M Mod-Fast but it feels and acts like a ML.  It will through the baits you are talking about very easily. 

Not trying to be rude but can I ask what the reason is for the longer rod? Typically jerk baits and topwaters  are tossed on rods 7 feet and under. Some guys even like the older 6 foot rods/pistol grip style. If you fish a jerkbait or topwater with the rod tip downward it could cause a problem.

 

For smaller jerkbait (baits 3/8 oz or less like the pointer 78) I like to use a medium light spinning rod. I will also use it for light cranks though I don't have a ton of these baits. For topwaters I like casting rods like the Dobyns Champion 705cb glass or Powell Endurance 695.

 

As you can see they are probably 1-3 different rods for me but if I were to try to squeeze this into one rod I would look at:

 

Dobyns 704 or another 4 powered cranking/reaction bait rod

Powell Max 3D medium composite

Phenix Recon 7'1 Med Light

Shimano Crucial 7 foot Medium

St. Croix Avid-X Medium Moderate

 

If you could wait the Megabass Leviathan series should be the real deal and would be my pick knowing your taste in tackle. Not sure of the exact release date but their tapers would be perfect for what you want to do. I would consider the 5 rods I listed but personally I would wait for the Leviathan. I plan on trying one for sure for reaction baits. Add in that exotic MB look and you should have a winner!

Phenix m1 7'2" ML sounds like an option for you. 

Phenix m1 7'2" ML sounds like an option for you. 

 

+1 on the Phenix M1.  They also have a 7'4" for an extra $5.

Not trying to be rude but can I ask what the reason is for the longer rod? Typically jerk baits and topwaters  are tossed on rods 7 feet and under. Some guys even like the older 6 foot rods/pistol grip style. If you fish a jerkbait or topwater with the rod tip downward it could cause a problem.

 

For smaller jerkbait (baits 3/8 oz or less like the pointer 78) I like to use a medium light spinning rod. I will also use it for light cranks though I don't have a ton of these baits. For topwaters I like casting rods like the Dobyns Champion 705cb glass or Powell Endurance 695.

 

As you can see they are probably 1-3 different rods for me but if I were to try to squeeze this into one rod I would look at:

 

Dobyns 704 or another 4 powered cranking/reaction bait rod

Powell Max 3D medium composite

Phenix Recon 7'1 Med Light

Shimano Crucial 7 foot Medium

St. Croix Avid-X Medium Moderate

 

If you could wait the Megabass Leviathan series should be the real deal and would be my pick knowing your taste in tackle. Not sure of the exact release date but their tapers would be perfect for what you want to do. I would consider the 5 rods I listed but personally I would wait for the Leviathan. I plan on trying one for sure for reaction baits. Add in that exotic MB look and you should have a winner!

 

He throws jerkbaits and topwaters on a 7'5" rod, and so far he is the only person I've saw that does it. I still look and ask as it just amazes me but that is why there are so many rods as we all fish differently.