Usually I'm a middle of the road guy, but I've decided to go all out this one time; top of the line, best of the best. My personal experience combined with AI research is driving me crazy. I began with Loomis NRX, moved on to Edge First Cast, then to Megabass P5 Destroyer, Daiwa Steez, and now I've hit a brick wall with the Shimano Poison Ultima. The reel will be a Daiwa Steez A 100 8.5:1. Each of the rods claim to have what I'm looking for to fish docks and shoreline targets with various kinds of jigs; 6'9"-7' MH or H Fast or XFast. What would you guys do?

I can’t help you much with those lines but I’d ask yourself what weight range of jigs do you plan on mainly using and what line do you prefer to fish with? As a braid to leader guy I wouldn’t look for a XF jig rod personally.

2 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

I can’t help you much with those lines but I’d ask yourself what weight range of jigs do you plan on mainly using and what line do you prefer to fish with? As a braid to leader guy I wouldn’t look for a XF jig rod personally.

15-20# Fluorocarbon; 1/2 oz jigs plus trailers.

Nrx 873 crr is my favorite rod I’ve owned and I throw a 1/2 oz jig and trailer on it all the time. My apologies if you meant that 7’ would be the longest you would go, this rod is 7’3” and I fish it from a kayak. Definitely never felt that it was too long.

Whoa! So far out of my budget it's laughable. You might consider talking to a custom rod builder for that kind of money. A good one can deliver exactly what you want.

I have a few jig rods and my favorite by far is the Loomis 894C NRX+. For a 1/2oz jig, I have yet to find its equal. I like using it for the spots where fish are sitting kind of shallow and next to cover. I know the length is longer than the OP wanted but when I am fishing it from my kayak, I'm able to skip with a side arm roll cast easier than I can with a shorter rod. Sensitivity with this rod is also exceptional and it has plenty of power to pull fish from cover.

Other rods I use for jigs in the 1/2oz range....

G. Loomis

853C NRX - not as much power as the 894 but is great for 3/8oz jigs. A little sluggish at a 1/2oz

803C GLX (new version) - just a great all around rod. 1/2oz jig plus trailer might be too much

904C NRX+ - great for deeper football jigs and dragging jigs

873C NRX+ CCR - all around great rod. It sits between the 853C and 894C for me but has a softer tip

895C NRX+ - It can pull a stump out. Too much power for most of my fishing and it can fatigue the hands if you use it all day. 1/2oz to 1oz jigs are not an issue for this rod.

Megabass

P5 Super Destroyer - shorter multi taper rod with some power. More versatile than most. Not as sensitive as the NRX+

P5 Daemos - soft and not as much hook setting power as I would like but it works. Better for bladed jigs and spinner baits

St. Croix

Legend Elite 7'1" MH X-fast - great classic rod with power and a really fast tip. Kind of stiff

Daiwa

Steez Real Control 6'11'' MH-SV - super sensitive, almost too sensitive but it a pleasure to fish. It is better suited for the free rig and believe it or not, jerkbaits. It does load differently and has more power than you think it would based on how light it is. Works better for casting jigs rather than flipping and pitching.

Only you know what action feels right for you. Any rod I would or already have purchased are 7’2” to 7’5” so I can’t help you outside of that. Good luck.