I also use the medium heavy 7 foot Ugly Stick. Reaction time is more important than anything else when dead sticking. Sharp hooks are a close second. If you get a tap or the line moves at all; set the hook immediately. A stiff rod will help the hook penetrate cleanly but they have to have it in their mouth for any of it to matter. If you put the rod in a rod holder, the super sharp hooks may accidentally hook a fish. I prefer to hold it all of the time.

I use ugly stick gx2. 7 ft, 1 solid piece rod. Medium or medium heavy. Cheap rods but they are bad bad boys! Highly recommend them. I use them year round for hybrids deadsticking included.

I absolutely love these rods and have yet to break one after three years of heavy use and most the time I sling hybrids in with the rod. Been very pleased. Ppl have their own opinions on if a lighter rod is more sensitive or a heavy rod is more sensitive by transferring the bite easier so I’m sure you’ll get different opinions on that.