1 hour ago, WPCfishing said:

I just bought the rod, tip feels very wimpy. I’m concerned about hook setting power using with 1/4oz baits.

My first NRX.. around shore line fishing in general. 
the 895c is a broom stick and very very top heaven. Going to send it back and exchange for the 894c. 
live and learn! 

Yes, it has a soft taper but it goes quickly into the backbone. 

 

I use this rod only for skipping activties, where it is great for me. 

 

The 894c also has a very soft tip. That was the reason why i sold it again (and it being incredibly tip heavy). 

Bought a Steez Bottom Contact (version 1) then, which had more power than the 894c, was way better balanced and also looked much better in my opinion. 

Find a Shimano MGL that fits your hand and budget.  Not a typical high end buyer but they seem to have this figured out even down into the SLX line.  

I lean pretty hard toward the Metatanium DC for a lot of those applications because I feel it’s a good all around, do-most-anything reel.