My wife and I decided to split a small amount of our taxes so I picked up some goodies this weekend.

I picked up a pair of Abu Vendetta rods and the reels you see in the picture.

I am looking to get a pretty high end smallie rod for the Stradic CI4. Since rods of this money are not usually in stores I need some opinions. The only rods I've ruled out is the high end Diawa's( just didn't feel right)

The rod will be used for small tubes and shakey heads.

I use the st croix legend tournament 6'8" finesse spinning rod for tubes and the 6'3" shakin rod for shakey heads. Both are awesome rods. The 6'8" would be my recommendation for both techniques.

a cumara or cumulas rod would be sweet with the ci4.  I have the cumara 6'8"mxf that I use for tubes, DS and SH and I love it. 

id get st. croix avid, loomis imx or glx, depending on budget.

if you can find a good sale, the st. croix legend elites are very nice. i've heard good things about the LTB as well.

id go 6'6"-7", med light, XF for small shakey heads in sparse cover.