I am planning to purchase a new spinning rod in M or ML weight for throwing plastics and smaller jigs. To be paired with a Sustain 2500 w/ 8# fluoro Torn between the 2 rods. I have a Compre and love that but... any thoughts?

Hands down, Crucial.

I have the M/XF Crucial and I absolutely love it! If your throwing weightless plastics, I would get the ML but you said jigs also so I think the M would fit better.

I liked the feel of the Carrots myself.  Went to a local shop and asked about them.  They said 7 were out for repair and had a broken one on the counter. Guy told me, "There are two kinds of Carrot Sticks: the broken ones and the one that are gonna break." 

The Crucial Drop Shot/ Shaky Head spinning rods are fantastic. Nice soft tip with plenty of backbone. I've got a 2500 reel on mine and couldn't be happier with it. Great stick.

Crucial.