Rod for Finesse and Football Jigs?

[Bent]

I'm in the market for a jig rod, and I'm hoping to find one that can handle a couple of applications really well.  About half of the time I'm fishing nearby small rivers and creeks for smallmouth, and would like to use braid to a 10 lb fluoro leader with 1/4 oz finesse jigs, weightless senkos, and Northern-style swim jigs with light wire hooks.  The rest of the time I'm on bigger bodies of water and want to use a 15 lb fluoro leader and 3/8 to 1/2 oz football jigs with a stout hook.  I already have another combo for pitching jigs to heavy cover, so I don't need a ton of backbone.

 

Would a DX744 or DX784 handle 1/4 oz finesse jigs, or am I asking for trouble with lighter line and hooks?  Would the DX743 be underpowered when fishing structure in 30' of water with 1/2 oz football jigs?

 

Lastly, I'm currently leaning toward the DX line but I'm open to other suggestions, i.e. if you feel strongly that a particular rod at a lower price point will perform just as well, or the extra $100 for a GLX is money well spent for these applications, please let me know!  Thanks!

[Stephen Selph]

I just picked up the Falcon Cara Finesse Jig rod, and I love it. Extremely sensitive, lightweight and has enough backbone to boat flip 5 pound hogs. I fish it mostly with 1/4 oz jigs, and t- rigs. It's rated for 3/16th-5/8th oz lures. It's paired with my Metanium MGL, I love this setup!

[fishnkamp]

Welcome to the site. make sure you stop in the introductions forum and say hi. Tell us about your favorite fishing opportunities. I sent you a pm. again welcome to the board. 

[1BADAIR]

Call and talk to dobyns.  They will probably recommend the DC744

[Logan S]

In that price range I would strongly recommend the Megabass XX Extreme Mission Type-F (7'5" MH/F).  It will handle all of those techniques well as long as the 1/2oz football is the heaviest you go...But it sounds like you have a rods for heavier jigs already so the EMTF should be a good fit.  IMO the Megabass XX line outperforms it's price tag and the EMTF is one of the best rods in the series.  

 

I would personally use 2 (or maybe 3) rods to cover those techniques you listed...But I would have no problems at all if I wanted to or had to fish all of them on my EMTF.  

[roadwarrior]

[Bent]

9 hours ago, Logan S said:

I would personally use 2 (or maybe 3) rods to cover those techniques you listed...But I would have no problems at all if I wanted to or had to fish all of them on my EMTF.  

 

Thanks for the recommendation!  I haven't really looked into Megabass rods.

 

As far as 2 rods, I have considered stepping down to the DC744 and then saving up a little bit more to pick up a lighter combo that would be a bit cheaper, but I'm hoping to get away with one really nice combo instead.

[EastCoastAngler]

I fish a St. Croix Avid X for many of the same applications, I have the Medium Heavy Fast action and I love it for 3/8 jigs and heavier. For lighter applications I would suggest the 7' Medium fast action, this rod is rated well within your desired range for all techniques you have listed. It is extremely light, sensitive, quality hardware, IMO best 200 dollar rod on the market.