I just purchased a LEXA from Daiwa a couple weeks ago and am pretty impressed. Got it as Bass Pro and it was under a $100 and it's light and fast action with a lot of beef to it. Haven't bought a rod in years but wanted a Carolina/flipping/do all around heavy rod since moving to Tennessee. I believe it's 7'7".....would go look but just had a double hernia fixed and I'm sore and don't want to walk out to boat.
Good luck
Have Lamiglas, Shimano,Fenwicks, Loomis....they all make great rods.