FIRST POST - Looking for all ideas.

I am needing to buy a new flipping rod for 3/8 flipping jigs and football jigs.

 

I normally fish jigs in water that is 15 foot or less. I use everything from SwimJigs, Flipping Jigs, and Footballs Jigs. I can use my Kisterl KLX rod that I throw Spinnerbaits on for Swim Jigs, but would like a dedicated rod for Flipping Jigs. I primarily use 3/8 flipping and football jigs. My flipping jigs normally have an Arlie Head and I use Santone Tungsten or Dirty Jigs. I use my flipping jigs where there is a lot of rock do my structure and drag / pop my jigs. I don’t normally pitch jigs, but cast to the bank and stage back to the boat. I also use Rage Crawl Trailer or a casting Jig with a Menace Grub.

 

I currently fish these jigs on a Kistler KLX 7ft MH MF action with a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7:1.1 with 15 or 17 lbs flouro.

 

I am looking to either purchase a

1. Kistler KLX MH/F in 7.0 ft (another rod)

2. Mega bass Levante Pitch perfect 7.2 ft

3. St Croix Champion 7.1

4. Dobyns 
 

i will use 15-17 lbs Flouro with either a Daiwa Tatula Elite or Shimano Cuardo MLX 150

 

 

Looking for help and ideas from you guys!

 

 

I use a Kistler Helium 7’ 3” MH/F for those baits. A similarly rated KLX should work fine. I use the same rod as that Helium in the KLX for bigger jigs.

Second the Helium, $247 their website. 

Not on your list but the Falcon Cara Heavy cover jig was designed exactly for what you're describing.  I love mine.  7'4", 1/2-1 oz rating, heavy/fast though its a falcon 6-power 'heavy' which is on the lighter side of heavy.  It was designed for dragging jigs around brushpiles (by mike mcclelland) and its a great all around jig and bottom contact rod.  I've also found it to become my favorite buzzbait rod.

For smaller hooked jigs I use my 6-10 MHF Expride. For my larger hooked or 1/2" oz jigs I use my 7-2 HF Expride. When I get to my heaver 3/4 oz or heavy wire hooked jigs I use my 7-5 Orrochi Brailest. They double for lots of other options as well, I find them all to be fairly versatile.

I would choose the Kistler. I have a Megabass Perfect Pitch, not the Levante, but the Oriochi XX and that rod is so heavy that’s it’s uncomfortable to fish with.

Third the Helium.  There is problem, however.   Heliums are like Lay's potato chips....can't have just one

I have the Levante Perfect Pitch. However, I primarily use it for frogging and 6" magdrafts as it has a bit of a softer tip. Absolutely love it for both. Makes it an incredibly versatile rod. I'm sure many use it for jigs and enjoy it though. I believe the Levante line in general has (relatively) more of a moderate action than Orochi. 

I owned the Orochi perfect pitch and found it heavy and unbalanced with way too short of a handle. St croix mh rods are tip heavy too, even the higher end rods. I had a 7’ mh legend elite, both have been sold off.

 

I’d go with kistler, especially the helium if your budget allows it, super light and balanced. I use a 7’3” hmh for flipping, casting and swim jigs.

expride, 7'2mh or 7'2h

THANKS for all the opinions guys. I am going to purchase the Helium by Kistler since I am very satisfied with my KLX Kistler rods (landed 6 with the KLX flipping jigs last night) 

 

Thanks again everyone for your input!