When fishing worms and lizards is it better to have a sensetive rod for feeling bites or sturdy rod for a better hookset?

Why not have both???

Fast to Extra fast action for quick hook sets  

My problem with soft plastics is that I can never feel the little bites, and then when I do, they're gone. Is it more that i need a brighter line or something?

Have a powerfull rod and higher quality line like fireline, you feel everything! Even when they just inhale your bait!

Have you tried flourocarbon or braid, your sensitivity goes up huge amounts over mono.

Take a look at some rods that are rated M-MH with F-XF tip ...

                 As Ever,

                  skillet

Ya ever try to learn how to feel what you bait is doing?

I take my students out night fishing during a new moon  

My problem with soft plastics is that I can never feel the little bites, and then when I do, they're gone. Is it more that i need a brighter line or something?

Some of the bites can be real soft; can't feel a thing.  I do a lot of line watching.  If my line is tightening slightly or moving off to one side, I reel down and at the same time try to feel for the weight of the fish or a slight bump as he changes directions.  If I feel that, I swing for the bleachers  Sometimes the line movement is obvious and I just set the hook.

Night fishing is something I'm not used to yet.  It must sharpen your sense of feel.  I just need to get out and do more of it

I just got one of those Gander Mountain Tournament series rods. Run like $60-70. Great sticks for the money. I got a 6'6" MH and have been fishing plastics with it almost exclusively. Its an extra fast action rod for those hard hook sets but the rod is sensitive enough (running braid) that you could feel the fish fart.

Fast to Extra fast action for quick hook sets

You do not sacrifice sensitivity for power.