The majority of my rods are St. Croix Legend Tournament designed for specific techniques. The exceptions are a couple of Avids I use for small to medium crankbaits, squarebills, and topwater hardbaits. I can't imagine going back to budget rods, but I'm still budget minded. I take good care of my rod...

I search for, and fish for, bedding fish. But, it's strictly catch and release on the spot.
I do wish they would prevent tournaments until after the prime spawning time. Or just invoke an immediate "catch and release" rule during specific months. But, it would be hard to enforce.

Hard topwaters and buzzbaits: 16# Sunline Supernatural Mono
Frogs: 50# Sufix 832 Camo Braid

I checked spinnerbait because that my go-to bait on my home waters.
Buzzbaits weren't listed, so I suppose topwater would be my 2nd.
I love to Pitch/Flip/Punch when the moving bait bite slows down.

I've yet anything I don't like about the St. Croix LTB Slop-N-Frog/Swim Jig rod. Revo STX 8.0:1 reel with 50# Sufix 832.
Cast a hollow body Frog out of site, a Ribbit slightly farther.

St. Croix Legend Tournament rods are my first choice.
Avids for cranking.
Exceptional build quality, and they've never disappointed on performance for the specific techniques.
Lifetime warranty.

Sunline Super Natural. Smaller diameter than Trilene XL. Although XL is still hard to beat for mono. 14#

Sunline Sniper or Shooter FC for all techniques where I prefer fluorocarbon 12# Sniper for all crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits 16# Sniper for Texas rigged Plastics/Spinnerbaits/Pitchin' 20# Shooter for Flippin' 12# Trilene XL for topwaters and floating jerkbaits 50# Sufix 832 for Frogs/Punchin'/...

St. Croix has the Legend Elite, spinning and baitcasting, on sale in the Bargain Room for about 30% off. http://stcroixrods.com/shop/freshwater-rods/ I picked up a Legend Tournament Sniper Spinnerbait Rod yesterday at Tacklewarehouse for $215.00 plus free shipping. Saved $55.00. Might check their pr...

Live Target Frog - 5/8 oz in Tan/Brown or Emerald/Brown
Spro Frog - Bullfrog color
Although, my most productive frog all this Summer has been a Ribbit Floater in BullFrog rigged with a Double Take 6/0 - 1/8oz hook. They've been killing it.

Smithwick Suspending Rogue or XPS Minnow

Smithwick Suspending Rogue
XPS Suspending Minnows

St. Croix Legend Tournament Series Rods where exceptional sensitivity is required. Plastics, Jigs, Jerkbaits, and Heavy Cover fishing. I love the finish and appearance on all their rods. But, this is my favorite hands down. Avid Series Crankbait Rods in MM and MHM actions for everything from 3/16 - ...