I'm putting the cart before the horse and planning my second build before even starting my first.

I am looking for recommendations for a shakey head rod. I usually throw 1/8 heads with finesse worms or 3/16 heads. I also have been using zoom trick worms quite often with better results than the finesse worms.

My question is what is a very sensitive blank with the correct action and power that I should look to. I would like to keep the blank price under 150 but prefer the price to be around the $100 mark if at all possible.

Also I am looking for recommendations on a reel for this rod, and I much prefer a casting reel. I have heard great things about a Shimano Chronarch 50 size but unsure.

Thanks in advance.

RodGeeks C473mhxs  $99

In that price range I feel the two best options in terms of feel, taper, and sensitivity are the Rainshadow Eternity and Phenix Ultra Mbx spinning blanks. If you prefer a little slower taper the Phenix blanks are golden. The Phenix blanks run a little light in power so look at a medium light. They will still handle 1/8 Oz quite nicely. The Rainshadow blanks are a little truer to power ratings. What type of cover / structure will you be fishing if any?

I will be fishing very sparse cover. It will be a clear water lake with very little grass and a lot of rocks.

If you're a Daiwa fan then I would say to try a PX68, it's really capable in stock form.

I use the Immortal 7'2ML and Eternity2 7'2 for drop shotting and shakey heads.  Love them both.  The Immortal is right around ~100 if I remember correctly.

Is it the general consensus that a ml rod would be better over medium. I have seen different comments through research for both and the use of an extra fast tip.

It depends on the blank model as the ratings are subjective. It also depends on the weight of the jig. To me, shakes head is a finesse technique using light heads and pin tail worms, but that's not always the case (drop shot vs bubba shot).

Thank you for the responses. Dvt I have read many of your posts and responses and you always seem to have great advice and are helpful. The jig heads I throw range at 1/8 and 3/16. I have read many posts about mhx blanks that you comment on as well as rainshadow. Can you point me in the right direction with a blank. I fish a lot of deeper water with fairly long casts so I feel like I need something that is sensitive and has a decent backbone.

Pm Dam001. I did a shakey head rod for him on an MHX HM Mag M/L.