looking for opinions on best casting rods under 300 for jigs (1/2 oz) and Texas rigs. Preferably something in stock now.

St croix avid 7’ mhf 

13 minutes ago, Nelson Delaney said:

St croix avid 7’ mhf 

That would be the one.   The 7' M fast is also great for 1/2oz stuff. 

ALX Enox Decoy. You can use a coupon code to get it down to around $280. That T1100 graphite is as good as it gets, at any price. 

Initially I was leaning towards Orchi XX EMTF and was thinking that was going to be one of the first to be suggested. Does anyone know anything about these?

9 minutes ago, PABassFish007 said:

Initially I was leaning towards Orchi XX EMTF and was thinking that was going to be one of the first to be suggested. Does anyone know anything about these?

Slower action than I prefer for jigs and t-rigs. I liked it a lot for squarebills though. It casts a mile, for sure.

Everyone is looking for state of the art bottom contact rods since the early 70's

The 1st graphite rods were introduced by Fenwick, followed by Boron rods my Pheonix.

Very rigid high modulus rods that changed the state of art. These rods were good transmitting what jigs and worms were doing. Down side the rods were fragile.

Gary Loomis a fly rod designer solved the fragile problem working for Lamiglas, latter starting his company Gary Loomis rods. We owe Loomis for our graphite bass rods we use today.

Choose a rod company who supports their products with good customer service.

ALX Deputy or Dobyns DC 734C  

Tom

I've came across 2 exprides a 7 2 mh and 7 6 mh. Anyone have a suggestion on which to get as I am set on this model.

I only have experience with the 7'2 mh.

I think it would serve your purpose well.

Its fairly sensitive and enough tip to get a good hookset on a t-rig.

MegaBass Orochi XX Braillist for $299.  I have two, one for jigs, one for T-rigs

I'm a huge fan of the ARK Randall Tharp series "money maker" its a 7'3" med heavy fast super light sensitive and extremely well balanced. Priced at 129 and pairs excellent with a curado. Actually I like it enough I just bought and set up another one today. It's my main jig and t rig rod