I didn’t have any issues putting the 1 gram jighead where I wanted. Rod felt great and for sure like a SUL but had some backbone and didn’t really have any issues with the fish although the gills provided a nice fun factor... when I caught the shellcracker I said one of your quotes “why hello Mr. Shellcracker.” My dad kind of gave me a funny look haha... I have never caught a white bass (Stan tried to help me fix this but it still hasn’t happened). They stocked a few in South Holston but they haven’t made a come back yet. I think it will be a great rod but I still think the Rockin Finesse will see some seat time too... the rod bends pretty significantly at the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the blank. I do like the handle and the feel of it. My dad didn’t catch near as many as me using the triple cross and the exist reel (he has a little quicker ratio on that reel). Overall very pleased with the whole set up and I am thinking this rod will be similar to the SUL MC rods you have been buying. You will enjoy it I am sure. I am hoping to take a day off next week and try it again. I am not the best at describing the rods I own but I sure am glad I went down this JDM rabbit hole. The quality of everything is something else... even down to the line and the jigheads...