I prefer a mono leader because I don't think its quite as abrasion resistant as fluoro so I can break it off and get my weight back if I get hung up. I use a 3/4-1 oz tungsten with a brass clacker ( I've broken too many glass and tungsten beads) Typically a 3' leader and 90% of the time I'm either throwing a brush hog or a curly tail worm on my C-rig.

#Truth

I do the same as the above. Mono over flouro, and I have broken so many rigs off on tires that I buy the cheap walmart kits and rig them the same as I would a nicer weight kit. I feel like gold vs silver doesn't help or hurt me in the stained water I fish in, so whatever is cheapest and a half ounce to 1oz works depending on the day and wind.

I use 65lb braid, 1oz tungsten weight, SPro swivel, 4’ of 20lb InvisX for the leader, 3/0 Trokar EWG hook, and a zoom lizard. Rod is a 7’3” heavy Falcon Lowrider heavy cover jig. Reel is Team Lews Pro Z. 6.?-1.
The 1oz weight gets better distance and sinks faster. Also stays on bottom better when dragging it faster. It is essentially a weightless presentation with the line sliding through the swivel. Any rod that can handle an ounce and a half can work this setup.

One thing I'll add is that I NEVER use a polished (or even unpainted) tungsten weight on my C-rig. I've done this (once) and I had bluegill/crappie eating my weight for hours until I wised up and swapped it for a black/green pumpkin weight lol.

I use a 7'2" Falcon Jason Christie medium heavy rod, Abu Garcia STX reel, 30lb Suffiix 832 braid to the swivel. I use 1/2 or 3/4oz lead weight, 2 beads before the swivel knot. I like 12lb mono for the leader because it floats. 3/0 light wire offset worm hook, (per Mark Davis). I have recently shortened my leader to 24" after listening to Frank Scalish talk about CRig on BTL.
I think the Jason Christie line of Falcons fit your budget.

BD

Just left academy with some spro swivels, big game 15 and 12 for leader line, grande bass rattlesnakes (already have lizards and worms), 3/0, 4/0, and 5/0 ewg hooks, and a Falcon Bucoo 7’3” heavy fast 1/2 - 1 1/2 oz 10-30lb line.
I didn’t like their reels so just need to find one. Probably get a tatula.

Sounds like you’re on your way! You will get a lot of use outta that setup.

That is what I use as well!

A "long" rod would be something like the Dobyn's Carolina Riggin' Special - 804C, which is an even 8 feet, great for taking up slack you didn't think was still there.

C rig and offshore fishing is my strength.

I have used lots of different rods over the years but really like the Dobyns 734&744 with 20-25lb invisx main line, 20lb leader, 1 ounce lead egg sinkers for 5’ and deeper, 1/2-3/4 lead egg sinkers <5’, 8mm glass bead, brass clacker, #5 swivel , 3/0-5/0 owner wide gap hook and 2 1/2-4’ leader.

Those Grande worms are dynamite on a neo rig

Neo rig?

Picked up a daiwa tatula 200HS and 20lb invisx. I’m set.

50lb braid main line
Barrel swivel, bead, and carolina line protector
20lb flouro leader line
Cara Amistad 7'3" rod
Daiwa Tatula TWS 8:1 reel