The past year or so I have been throwing my A rig's and 5"-6" soft swimbaits on a 7'H ALX rod and it has performed ok at its task.  It's mainly a big jig/carolina rig/lite flipping rod and performs best at those tasks.  

 

For this year I'm looking to get a rod to use that will be more suited for a rigs in the winter and 5-6" soft swimbaits (keitech 4.8/5.8, zoom 5" swimmer, and gambler big ez) on 1/2oz-3/4oz heads.  I would also like to use the rod for some heavier flipping.  Not puching in the Cal Delta, but looking to flip into some heavier laydowns and such.  Wanting to keep the rod $130 or less and looking 7'6"-7'11" could be a hair shorter if needed.  What is some advice you all can give me?  Thanks. 

Irod IRG7104AB Alabama rig rod 7' 10" or IRG745F I use Fred Magic rod for this and should work,   $150 or $20 budget. 

Have you talked to Alex at ALX rods?

Tom

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Irod IRG7104AB Alabama rig rod 7' 10" should work  $150 or $20 budget.

Have you talked to Alex at ALX rods?

Tom

Yea.  Just not sure I'll be able to get the rod in time for a rig use since I have a tournament in less than a week.  Drug my feet and didnt know if I was going to fish since I pulled a muscle in my back.  But I'm healed and ready to fish.  Might hold out and get the ALX anyway and make due with my 7' H unless something else gets recommended.

2 minutes ago, backcast88 said:

Yea.  Just not sure I'll be able to get the rod in time for a rig use since I have a tournament in less than a week.  Drug my feet and didnt know if I was going to fish since I pulled a muscle in my back.  But I'm healed and ready to fish.  Might hold out and get the ALX anyway and make due with my 7' H unless something else gets recommended.

Added IRG745F, good ultilty rod to have in boat and works for what you are looking for.

Tom