I'm looking for a spinning rod to throw mainly neko rigs but sometimes unweighted wacky rigs as well, budget is 200-400 usd but can go higher for the perfect rod. I would like the length to stay under 7'6, just for ease of transport, and I'm ok buying JDM, not super worried about warranty or made in USA.

So far I've been looking at

Megabass orichi X10 jade python

Poison adrena 7'2 ML

Expride 7'2ML

Olympic Vigore 742M

Raid Gladiator Anti Navigator 7'4

Gamakatsu luxxe avenge S66ML

Deps (not sure which)

Used P5 or NRX+ (842s?)

Alpha anglers litesaaber or wrench

ALX enox (wizard/psychic)

Kistler z-bone 7M

Also open to other suggestions as if I don't have enough analysis paralysis already

Welcome to the forums. With that budget and list of rods, you can't really go wrong. My only thought to contribute is that, if NJ is anything like NY, you might want to go up to a M action rod instead of ML. At least that is my preference. I like a bit more power when considering the amount of vegetation and structure that fills our lakes. 

Yeah that's kinda what makes me want to go with the jade python, it's the only one that mentions fishing any kind of cover

Loomis NRX/GLX #1 852S or #2 842S

1 hour ago, JackstrawIII said:

you might want to go up to a M action rod instead of ML

I agree, medium action. Not ML.

^ X3

Thanks, will definitely be taking all the ML off the list with all the feedback

yeah for grass definitely a medium. the jade python , p5 windbuster loomis 842 would all be great high end options. an expride or one of the alx rods would be great too for a more reasonable price. I think the ALX rods are overlooked.

17 hours ago, mecman said:

I'm looking for a spinning rod to throw mainly neko rigs but sometimes unweighted wacky rigs as well, budget is 200-400 usd but can go higher for the perfect rod. I would like the length to stay under 7'6, just for ease of transport, and I'm ok buying JDM, not super worried about warranty or made in USA.

So far I've been looking at

Megabass orichi X10 jade python

Poison adrena 7'2 ML

Expride 7'2ML

Olympic Vigore 742M

Raid Gladiator Anti Navigator 7'4

Gamakatsu luxxe avenge S66ML

Deps (not sure which)

Used P5 or NRX+ (842s?)

Alpha anglers litesaaber or wrench

ALX enox (wizard/psychic)

Kistler z-bone 7M

Also open to other suggestions as if I don't have enough analysis paralysis already

 

11 hours ago, mecman said:

Thanks, will definitely be taking all the ML off the list with all the feedback

 

Not so fast good sir.  Where in NJ are you?

 

I have the 7'2" ML Poison Adrena and was just fishing a neko with it last week here in NJ (got skunked that day, but not the rod's fault).  On Friday I was fishing it in PA in another grass lake catching nearly 4# fish and it was fine.  My dad was throwing the zodias 7' M right next to me and while it does have a little more backbone the difference in fighting a fish was minimal.  You're still talking about 8-15lb braid and 8-10# leader.  You're not going to throw either up into heavier pads and either one might require you to go to the fish if they wrap you in a big chunk of milfoil or pondweed (our two most common weeds here).  I know I've only had my PA for a little while, but I also have the 6'9" ML zodias and the 6'10" UL/Medium PA plus a few other spinning rods that I've been fishing a bunch lately.  I'm pretty confident that even as the grass thickens over the summer that the ML will be just fine here (10 lb 832 and 10 lb fluoro leader for me).  If you're up this way you're more than welcome to try mine out for yourself.  

Right or wrong I keep it simple and look at the hook that's getting shoved in the mouth of the fish.

DS = ML

Neko = M

4.0 EWG = MH

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Not so fast good sir.  Where in NJ are you?

 

I have the 7'2" ML Poison Adrena and was just fishing a neko with it last week here in NJ (got skunked that day, but not the rod's fault).  On Friday I was fishing it in PA in another grass lake catching nearly 4# fish and it was fine.  My dad was throwing the zodias 7' M right next to me and while it does have a little more backbone the difference in fighting a fish was minimal.  You're still talking about 8-15lb braid and 8-10# leader.  You're not going to throw either up into heavier pads and either one might require you to go to the fish if they wrap you in a big chunk of milfoil or pondweed (our two most common weeds here).  I know I've only had my PA for a little while, but I also have the 6'9" ML zodias and the 6'10" UL/Medium PA plus a few other spinning rods that I've been fishing a bunch lately.  I'm pretty confident that even as the grass thickens over the summer that the ML will be just fine here (10 lb 832 and 10 lb fluoro leader for me).  If you're up this way you're more than welcome to try mine out for yourself.  

Appreciate the info and the offer, I'm down in Camden county, and you're right more than likely I'm not going to use this anywhere near pads or thick grass, would just use a casting rod for that. Really makes me want to go with ML but I'm still mostly leaning towards the jade python, Japan lure shop has it for under 300$ 

7 minutes ago, mecman said:

Appreciate the info and the offer, I'm down in Camden county, and you're right more than likely I'm not going to use this anywhere near pads or thick grass, would just use a casting rod for that. Really makes me want to go with ML but I'm still mostly leaning towards the jade python, Japan lure shop has it for under 300$ 

 

fair enough.  I'm sure it will be a good choice.  I'm up in Morris county and fish Spruce and Round valley a good bit.  If you get up this way drop me a line.

On 6/10/2025 at 12:20 PM, mecman said:

Appreciate the info and the offer, I'm down in Camden county, and you're right more than likely I'm not going to use this anywhere near pads or thick grass, would just use a casting rod for that. Really makes me want to go with ML but I'm still mostly leaning towards the jade python, Japan lure shop has it for under 300$ 

 

5 pounds of hybrid wasn’t too much for it tonight.  It was actually a pretty great fight.  10 lb 832 with 10# fluoro.  Yes, it was open water, but a medium with this fish in cover still wouldn’t have been enough.  

 

7 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

5 pounds of hybrid wasn’t too much for it tonight.  It was actually a pretty great fight.  10 lb 832 with 10# fluoro.  Yes, it was open water, but a medium with this fish in cover still wouldn’t have been enough.  

 

Nice fish! I found a deal on a used nrx+ 822 syr that I ended up buying, from what I've read seems like it will be a good choice and the price was right

I recently picked up a Daiwa TTEL761MLMFS-AGS 7'6" Hair Jig/Neko rod and it's definitely closer to a M than ML, IMHO. I have used it for several techniques and so far, I am really liking it. Bagged a five pounder on it yesterday and it handled it well in some pretty tight quarters. They make a Steez with the same design intent too known as "The One" if you're wanting to stay at a higher level than a Tatula Elite-AGS.

Finally got a chance to get out and fish the new combo yesterday, nrx+ 822 syr with a 25 complex XR C2500.  The rod really feels great, seems like it's hard to go wrong with a nrx

shimano expride b

oh..I think the Jade Python would work awesome.  that's what is going to replace my Phenix Maxim.