Cgrinder

Thanks for running the sale; I got about a hundred bucks in heavy tungsten and some Rage Bugs.

If you don't have a high end bottom contact rod, and can afford one, you should get one and see for yourself what all the fuss is about, if the juice is worth the squeeze, etc etc. You're not going to beat your Expride for sensitivity without spending for it; those rods are very strong performers. Lastly to your specific inquiry, the Flatside Special is not a spinnerbait rod. I believe Megabass overstates its versatility, as for me it's a true graphite cranking rod that struggles with single hook applications unless you're going to run braid and light wire hooks.

Hey from Southeast MI

So what is the end all be all of lightness and sensitivity in the US domestic market?

If it's within your budget, you should try an NRX and see all the fuss for yourself.

Braid for topwater and frogs; Power Pro is fine, but FX2 is rounder and prettier. Walking baits really want a mono leader but it is what it is. Fluoro (Sniper or Assassin) for everything else. Whatever you do, buy decent fluoro (treat yoself). If you're fishing significant grass or other veg, braid for everything.

I use an Enox Wizard for more conventional shakey head fishing. For 1/4 oz and heavier heads on 12+ lb fluoro, it's an NRX 853 and an Alphas. A stout Medium or lighter Medium Heavy casting rod of your preferred brand should work fine.

Which Cashion?

I like it. Slightly longer rod and heavier line than I'd prefer but that jig and trailer package probably skips like a stone.

Sometimes you gotta put a "finesse" jig somewhere gnarly.

Morethan PE? I am "Daiwa Only" but I frog with Bantams so I'm not much help.

Pretty sick. Will turn a few heads. I don't know if the country needs defending from the bass, but you can never be too sure.

FG knot

Bantam XG. Compact winch.

Great spool. Casts well for an SV reel. Palms ok. I have two 6 gears. Lots of spool options, though sadly many of them are now OoP or hard to find. I like them a lot, but "palms ok" in 2021 is kind of a killer when there are so many options that disappear in average size hands.

My Zero Adjusters needed adjusting; one was toight, the other was loose. I love the difficult to turn knob, but a clicking cc knob accomplishes the same. Not touching the knob is putting a lot of trust in the Thailand factory.

Japan Tackle had some Alphas SV spools last I checked. I had one in an R edition and presently a Sol. It's a nice upgrade over the stock spool but a bit short on line capacity. Good light line spool, as others have mentioned. I run 12 lb. Assassin on mine.

843 all the way, based on experience with previous gen of both rods. 853c is not a moving bait stick.

Spend ~$37 more and purchase a new ALX Enox. I own two with a third in the works. Lovely rods; nice build, ECS seat, made in the USA. I can't say enough good things about them.

Washington Americans. You can even keep the logo and mascot. I'll send them my invoice.

They've been a Tatula for a while.

I expect nothing and I'm still let down. If this reel was a spice, it would be flour.

Get the NRX 803 if you fear missing out. You might gain some sensitivity, especially in lighter weights. This is where the 3 power NRX models shine; I don't know if a better 1/8 or 3/16 Texas rod exists. Cold water, straight fluoro, light bites? Forget about it. However you will lose balance and ergonomics. Recoil guides also bother some people. They're far from perfect rods, which is a shame because they cost just about perfect rod money.

ALX Wizard spinning rod, couple jigs, and a L O T of tungsten.