I fish jigs, lipless cranks (only red eye shads), weightless senkos/trick worms all year round, and top water frogs in the summer... I'm looking for a new rod because I have difficulties with my current one and I honestly don't even have enough for 2 setups...

So anyways, I have an Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 7'0" rod that's super stiff at MH and while you think it may be good for jigs and frogs, I have a very hard time casting with it, no matter how long I practice. I'm thinking I may sell it and try to pick up a less stiff Duckett Ghost 6'8" MH/F for the same lures. I need a shorter rod because I only bank fish and I'm around a lot of brush...

Would a 6'8" MH Ghost be alright for jigs, frog, lipless cranks, and also weightless senkos/trick worms? Would I need to have a bullet weight or something or would it be best to try to pick up a cheap spinning combo for soft plastics? If I could only have one or two rods for those 4 lures, what type, length and action would you recommend it be?

Thanks, everyone.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention. My rod budget is $120

Megabass XX Extreme Mission!

Does everything well!  

Even broomstick rods can cast a jig decently. How is your reel tuned?  Aside from that the dobyns fury is a solid rod. I've heard some bad things about the Duckett Ghost, not what most guys were hoping for. 

3 minutes ago, tbone1993 said:

Even broomstick rods can cast a jig decently. How is your reel tuned?  Aside from that the dobyns fury is a solid rod. I've heard some bad things about the Duckett Ghost, not what most guys were hoping for. 

I've heard great things and bad things from just about every rod to be honest haha, but thanks for the info! I'll check out the Fury!

I would find something in the MH around 7-7'3" with a little bit of tip on it to work those senkos and flick the lipless cranks. The MH rating will provide the backbone you need for frogs and jigs.

No need to switch to a spinning combo.  I've no experience with the Veritas, but both my Villains (1 spinning, 1 b/c) are stiff for their rating.

I have zero experience with Cashion, but the CRT 7' MHF Worm & Jig at 3/16-3/4 oz. looks very interesting.  You might have talked me into trying one.    I am a fan of Fenwick.  Look at the HMG 7' MF.

Looking thru TW the Enigma Aaron's Edge 7' Med Mag Bass, Powell Inferno 703C and the Fury all look like candidates.

I've never bought from jet, but the Okuma C3-40X Casting Rod is within your budget from them....a 6'10" MH.  It is $114.72 but use code 15NOW to get 15% off that price.  Plus it is free shipping.  I don't like its color, but can overlook that because of its excellent reviews.  Lot of rod for the money.  walmart.com has 3 of these left for about $4 more.  Of course you would have to pay tax taking the total up to about $125.

 

I think a Kistler Carbon Steel would be perfect for what you are trying to do. It's a great rod: very sensitive, light, and tons of backbone. Personally I would get the 7' MHF but they do make a 6'9" MHF

You shouldn't be having any trouble with that mh veritas. The ghost is going to break probabky sooner rather than later. What kind of reel are you using

16 minutes ago, Wbeadlescomb said:

You shouldn't be having any trouble with that mh veritas. The ghost is going to break probabky sooner rather than later. What kind of reel are you using

Daiwa Tatula CT

Are you having trouble getting distance or what?

10 minutes ago, Wbeadlescomb said:

Are you having trouble getting distance or what?

I can cast sidearm perfectly fine, but when overhand casting, since the rod is so stiff my lure tends to go straight into the water and I get a birds nest... I try releasing earlier and casting lightly and more fluently, but it does the same every time. And I know it's not me, cause I used my friends lighter action MH and it was fine casting overhand... My MH veritas feels like and Extra Heavy action rod...

5 minutes ago, TexRex said:

Daiwa Tatula CT

I have several Daiwas.  Only one is causing me problems, but is a model everyone else seems to think is great.  I have had no problem with my Tatulas (not the CT) giving me good casting distance.  A bad reel is always possible no matter who makes it.  However, the reel is of little concern if the rod isn't loading.  My Villain casting rod will barely throw 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance.

I think trying another rod is your best option.  If still not getting a decent casting distance, then and only then would I look at the reel.  Okay.  You posted while I was typing.  The lure shouldn't be going straight into the water even if the rod isn't loading.  You just won't get much distance.  I assume you are using your friend's rod and reel combo.  Have you tried the CT on his rod?  Is the reel straight from the box?  Maybe the CT needs a good cleaning.  Sometimes that is all they need.   DVT could not only clean it, but make sure it is functioning properly.

 

 

12 minutes ago, TexRex said:

I can cast sidearm perfectly fine, but when overhand casting, since the rod is so stiff my lure tends to go straight into the water and I get a birds nest... I try releasing earlier and casting lightly and more fluently, but it does the same every time. And I know it's not me, cause I used my friends lighter action MH and it was fine casting overhand... My MH veritas feels like and Extra Heavy action rod...

They really aren't that stiff I can throw the tick out of a 1/4 ounce swim jig on that same rod. Are you throwing light braid?

10 minutes ago, Wbeadlescomb said:

 

 

They really aren't that stiff I can throw the tick out of a 1/4 ounce swim jig on that same rod. Are you throwing light braid?

15 lb. Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon and 50 lb. Power Pro...

16 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I have several Daiwas.  Only one is causing me problems, but is a model everyone else seems to think is great.  I have had no problem with my Tatulas (not the CT) giving me good casting distance.  A bad reel is always possible no matter who makes it.  However, the reel is of little concern if the rod isn't loading.  My Villain casting rod will barely throw 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance.

I think trying another rod is your best option.  If still not getting a decent casting distance, then and only then would I look at the reel.  Okay.  You posted while I was typing.  The lure shouldn't be going straight into the water even if the rod isn't loading.  You just won't get much distance.  I assume you are using your friend's rod and reel combo.  Have you tried the CT on his rod?  Is the reel straight from the box?  Maybe the CT needs a good cleaning.  Sometimes that is all they need.   DVT could not only clean it, but make sure it is functioning properly.

Sorry, I should've clarified... I used my Tatula on my friend's rod and it casts overhand really well. My Veritas 2.0 is insanely stiff... Maybe it's just me but I need a lighter rod. It's just more comfortable...

Try to find a Fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'10 mh mf. If you can swing a little more money, look at the Hammer rods all American elite 6'9 mh at the Tackletrap. 

I have a fenwick hmg 7 med. It is perfect for those, it has enough backbone for jigs.

is your head spinning yet ? there are probably 2 dozen rods that will fit for you.....i'll throw my 2 cents in and say that my  kistler carbon steel  mh will do what you want, the dobyns fury is a good choice, okuma citrix is good, - for a lower budget , abu vendetta is decent.....different makers have different feels, so it is very hard to say what you like without being in your hands....some mh are a little more forgiving than others, and some med are a little bit stiffer, and lenghts can change the feeling as well...a 6-8 or 6-9 with a med fast tip on a mh rod may be want you want, 

I use a rod for the exact same applications you listed: Daiwa Tatula 6'10 MH. Casts lures from 1/4 - 1 oz. no problem and has amazing sensitivity. If you look around online you can find some for a decent price. One of the things I like most about the Tatula is that even though it's a MH, it weighs in at only 3.9 oz.