Hi, I MAY be looking for a new rod to double as my jig (3/8oz to 3/4oz) & pitch soft plastics rod AS WELL as my hollow body frog rod. A few weeks ago I bought a Doybns Champion 735C to do this job and thought I was good to go. But having never fished a jig or pitched soft plastics I have been reading a lot on here about it and what Tom has written on the subject about how much easier it is to detect bites if you hold the line in between your thumb and pointer finger and that makes a lot of sense to me. I imagine that would be a lot easier/comfortable to do with a small foregrip above the reel. The problem is my Dobyns does not offer this and it does not sound like "adding" a foregrip to it is the best idea.

 

I realize this is not the only way to fish these kind of presentations but I figured if this sounds like the one that will give me the best sensitivity then maybe since I have no other habits I should start doing this from the get-go. I may fool around and determine I can make it work for me without one but to cover my bases I decided I better start looking around and consider what route I would go IF I decided to return the Dobyns and go with something else. Problem is most rods today do not have a foregrip so options can be limited. I was hoping some of you can give me some recommendations based upon what type of presentations I want this rod to handle and that have a foregrip on them. If it matters I prefer split cork grips compared to full grips. Would like to stay around 200 bucks for it but would consider more if a great option was out there.

This is something I really like in a rod as well.  In my search recently, I discovered the Powell Endurance.  I want to give it a try.  It is $149, supposed to be very light and solid.  Something to look at. It is on my short list now, which is like 4-5 rods that have a fore grip or at least not open threads.  I don’t necessarily need a large fore grip, just something covering the reel seat threads.   Good luck in your search.  

Why don’t you wrap one of your existing rods with grip,tape and give it a try to see if you like it before buying.  I find it very uncomfortable and don’t buy into the line feel school of thought. I think it’s more to do with balance point than anything else.

just my $0.02