Okay i am down to a couple of rods that i am looking at getting. Shimano crucial series, St Croix Avid, or St Croix legend tournament (last years model, Or All Star platinum series. It is going to be my soft plastics rod so it needs exceptional sensitivity. Which would you choose? It will  be paired with a shimano stradic 2500. Include why you would choose that rod and if you have fished with multiple of the ones mentioned provide a pro/con for them.

My wife wanted an new setup and bought an Avid to go with her 2500 Stradic.  I used it and liked it so well that I now have 3 more Avid rods teamed up with the 2500s.  I don't think you can go wrong with the Avid.

I don't think you'd be unhappy with any one of those blanks.

I'm pretty sure that most anglers would recommend the St Croix Legend,

but I'm 'very' pleased with every Shimano rod I ever owned, and would probably go Shimano all the way.

Roger

What do the terms im9, im10, etc.. What does im stand for and how does it affect the rod?

I've had a legend owner pick up one of my All star Titanium's and marvel at how light the rod was.  The Titanium is the previous version of the Platinum.  The Platinums have fuji guides instead of titanium, same blank though.

IMO, sensitivity wise, as good as those $200 -300 uber rods and you can buy them for $130 at Bobby's Rods.  

I have an Avid rod and it's very sensitive. Almost too sensitive. IM9, IM10, etc.. are the graphite amounts (parts per million) I believe. I prefer for a lot cheaper spinning rod, the Shimano Teramar for $110. I originally bought it for inshore saltwater, but now my Avid sits on the rack as I reach for my 7' Teramar more and more often.