Yudo1

The consensus is to put the money into bottom contact rods, but if you fish purely for recreation then I say put the money into your favorite techniques because it will be the one in your hand the most.

The FPR is too much rod for your needs. It's a true flipping stick. Get the 894 JWR.

I'd get the 852 and 893. I love the 873crr, but it's a heavy powered rod.

For those weights I immediately thought you'd need the NRX 893c, but since you say moderate to heavy cover I'd say the 873crr would be a good fit.

I use a megabass xx orochi jerkbait special with an alphas sv 7.2 gear ratio reel and 10lb sniper.

I would use braid with a long fluoro leader so you only have to worry about adding more leader as it starts getting shorter from re-tying and snags.

You have the right reel for sure. I'm not familiar with the new veritas, but I remember hearing the previous generation veritas had a stiff tip. Are you throwing 5" senkos?

Senkos are heavy enough to cast with casting gear. I use a medium/heavy or heavy power casting combo to pitch and cast senko and fat ika into heavy cover all of the time. I prefer casting gear in this situation because I'm more accurate casting and pitching into holes and openings and I can set the hook and start cranking quicker which is important to get them up out of the cover. A lot of the time, they bite as soon as it hits the water and I don't want them digging into the weeds. YMMV.

I believe there are only 2 generations with the latest one coming out last year. I bought mine about 3 years ago. Mine looks like a charcoal grey chronarch D.

My 1st gen exsence dc works great too.

I'd get the perfect pitch as well. I noticed the rating is lighter than the previous generation that I own. The former being 3/8-2oz and now 3/8-1 1/4. The brailist might be an interesting model when it comes out.

100% bait casting for bass.

The 893 is probably about the same power as your kistler mh and the 894 probably falls in between your kistler and your flipping stick. I still think the 894 is what you are looking for.

Get the 894c.

What are you going to use the rod for? The 893 and 894 are by far the most popular in the series. I've heard mixed reviews about the shorter 853/854. There is a difference in power between the 85x and 89x too.

This one is easy. For reels, daiwa and shimano. For rods, loomis, megabass and kistler.

I fish from a kayak most of the time. Getting snagged is a royal pain with straight braid so I always use a leader of either fluoro or copoly. Also the braid lasts longer because you don't lose any on snags or retying. I've had the same braid on some reels for years.

When choosing a rod, you have to consider lure weight, line weight and cover. It sounds like you are throwing into some heavy cover. I often use senkos and fat ikas in pads and weeds and use a heavy powered rod. The dobyns 734 should work well.

I would look at the daiwa bg or fuego lt for sure

I'm biased so take my advice with grain of salt. I narrow down my decision-making process to "should I get the daiwa or shimano?" It simplifies things a bit for me.

Try a weightless fat ika rigged with the skirt up.

It is not saltwater safe. The spool will corrode.

Yes

The DC function is sweet for casting, but would be a waste for flipping and pitching IMO.

4" black senko wacky rigged or weightless t rig.