There is a rig(s) that is a fish slayer during certain times of the year in my area.  It consists of a light-wire 2/0 worm hook, a 1/16 or 1/8 tungsten weight, and (depending on which lake) a Zoom Finesse Worm or a Yamamoto Fat Baby Craw.  The lightest combination of hook/weight/plastic weighed out at .25oz and the heaviest combination weighed .40oz. 

 

I'm currently fishing this on a Dobyns FR702SF.  This is my least-liked rod in my arsenal and I want to abandon it.  I fish this on mono and will not be changing that.

 

-My preference leans toward XF so I'm thinking M/XF or a M/F from a manufacturer whose fasts tend to be faster than average

-Prefer 7' but will consider 6'10 to 7'1. 

-Prefer cork but not a deal-breaker

-MAX spendiness would be $200 and that's if I'm feeling rich that day. 

 

I'm struggling to find this spinning rod.  If you have any suggestions that meet this criteria please let me know.  Your input is much appreciated. 

ESS71MXSExtra Fast6-12lb1/8-5/8oz7+Tip13-1/4"Essence Spin B

 

Ark Essence Series Spinning Rods | Tackle Warehouse

Daiwa Tatula 7’0” MF

St Croix Victory 7’1” MF

both have cork handles, Victory is right at $200, Tatula a bit cheaper at $150. Haven’t fished these particular rods, but I’ve used various models within these lines and they are both great, I’d say on par with each-other quality wise. The victory is made in America and you get a killer warranty though. The Victory might be a bit slower in action than the Tatula as well.

Megabass Levante shakyhead.  Can be had for 150-160 shipped

Bass pro shops Carbon light 2.0. I have a 7ft 6 MXF . Use it for finesse and Wacky worm . Great rod for the money 

Never tried an Ark but that sure looks right. 

My favorite spinning rod is my Daiwa KAGE 7’ M/F all around. It is definitely worth a look.

Just bought a 6'10" St Croix Victory Med/Lt Ex/Fast.  Paired it up with a 2500 Shimano Miravel reel.  All I have to say is "wow".  Very light and sensitive.  Absolutely love it.  

5 minutes ago, Shadow1 said:

Just bought a 6'10" St Croix Victory Med/Lt Ex/Fast.  Paired it up with a 2500 Shimano Miravel reel.  All I have to say is "wow".  Very light and sensitive.  Absolutely love it.  

Change that Miravel 2500 to a Miravel 1000 and that's my Ned/Dropshot/Neko rig.

I've always heard that the Fury's are on the slower side of fast in comparison to other brands.

I prefer a fast tip but I've never liked xfast. 

52 minutes ago, PaulVE64 said:

I've always heard that the Fury's are on the slower side of fast in comparison to other brands.

Comparing my Furys to my Mojos, I'd say the Furys are MF-F....just a bit slower than a true fast, but not a true Mod-Fast either unless it's the 705CB which is a Mod-Fast

6 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

.just a bit slower than a true fast

Agree 100%

On 2/8/2024 at 8:49 AM, Shadow1 said:

Just bought a 6'10" St Croix Victory Med/Lt Ex/Fast.  Paired it up with a 2500 Shimano Miravel reel.  All I have to say is "wow".  Very light and sensitive.  Absolutely love it.  

One of my favorite setups is a 6'10 mojo bass ML / XF with a shimano ultegra on it. Great for drop shots but I also throw a trick worm w/ a 1/8oz bullet weight on this setup. The total weight for that rig is about .25 oz and this setup handles it beautifully. My only complaint about the victory line is I don't own one, but the mojo line has been good to me and you still might be able to find some of the old purple ones around on sale.

2 hours ago, Brian11719 said:

One of my favorite setups is a 6'10 mojo bass ML / XF with a shimano ultegra on it. Great for drop shots but I also throw a trick worm w/ a 1/8oz bullet weight on this setup. The total weight for that rig is about .25 oz and this setup handles it beautifully. My only complaint about the victory line is I don't own one, but the mojo line has been good to me and you still might be able to find some of the old purple ones around on sale.

Thanks, I was actually just looking at that rod on sale.  It's in a cart along with a Lew's HM85.  It's a tie right now.