for years I've gone cheap on rods and stuck with the less than$50 brand medium heavy rod for my tx rig. Recently, on the advice of a buddy from work, I bought a falcon bucoo medium heavy rod. The thing just doesn't have the same backbone I'm used to. It's not labeled "fast tip" and without the writing on it I can't pick one up and tell the difference.

I'm planning to go back and exchange it for a heavy action and see if that works better, but I'm curious on y'all's thoughts and opinions- do you prefer medium heavy or heavy for pitching a Texas rig? Are certain rod companies known to make a little softer/stiffer rig?

Edit: rod will be used exclusively for Texas rig with 3/16 oz weight. Rarely I might go 5/16 or 1/2 oz.

When you say pitching, are you using heavier weights? 1/2ounce and heavier?

3/16 90% of the time. Occasionally a 5/16 and rarely a 1/2 oz

A lot rides on backbone, action, length, taper, tip and it varies by rod company and the blank. I use heavy action, fast tip, 7'3"-7'6". I used to use medium heavy, but I found heavy works better for me. Not sure on price point or what you are looking for but I don't go cheap with my rods as I view them as a very important piece of the puzzle. It comes down to preference.

For lighter weights I like the Med/Heavy personally, I just seem to have better feel with them. Again, preference on this one because I think you can be fine going either way

7'3" Medium-Heavy Power - Fast Action.

$150 price limit

It depends on the rod. A Powell Max rod in a 4 power is like a 5 power in a Dobyns Champion. Kistlers seem to have a softer tip action than many others. In most cases with what you are throwing I would suggest a M/H action fast or xfast tip, or if the rod has a power rating I would go with a 3 or 4 power.

Look up a Powell Max 683 on ebay. One recently sold for $110. It makes a great worm rod but it is a very versatile rod that can be used for weightless plastics, spinner baits and small cranks.

Couple things for you....

1. With lighter weights a 7ft MH rod should work well for you. Plenty of brands make a "worm" rod...I like the stock Veritas rods. Very nice for the price ($100ish). If you would like a custom rod, let me know.
2. Line size in conjunction with that weight matters. If you are only using that light weight, you don't want to be more than 15lb line.
3. Back bone is more important than "action" (flexibility of the tip) with Texas Rigs and Jigs. If you are just pitching and flipping you should be ok with less action. If you are casting I would recommend more action and lil less backbone.

I was happy with the feel of the Rod I purchased and the tip but the hook set felt incredibly soft- like scary soft.

Yes to answer your question about rod manufactures. Some of my rods are quite different even with the same power rating. My opinion is that what rod you are Texas rigging with varies each time you fish a different lake. If you are flipping into grass or heavy cover you will probably want to use heavier line and a more powerful rod. If you are fishing clearer water with lighter line where a fish won't get you in a bind quick than go with Med/Heavy

7'1" med. heavy extra fast Daiwa Tatula is my go to rod for the technique you are talking about up to 3/8 oz. I will use the same rod in 7'2' heavy fast for applications with heavier weights and jigs, Carolina rig. I have another Tatula that is 7' med. heavy regular action I was sent by mistake. I have used it for weightless and some light t-rig too and it gets the job done. It does feel different than the others with the softer tip but I really like it.

Get the Falcon Bucoo Lizard Dragger. It's 7' Heavy action and perfect for a Texas rig. Especially if you keep it in the 1/4 to 1/2 oz range

Josh, I've had the same problems with ducketts. Ducketts are great rods but a lot softer so I go up a power. Also for 10" worms a use a heavy all the time.

I also fish almost exclusively with 3/16 weights. If you think it's too light then it is. Go with the heavy. Some rod ratings may be a little off or not what you expect. I use a Shimano Crucial that I love. I bought a Duckett Terex - same length and a MH. A big difference in the tip and stiffness of the rod. The Terex was much softer.
I don't like the Terex for T-Rig but I love it for spinner baits.
Go with what feels right to you and you can still cast the bait accurately and with little effort.