Looking for a rod to fish for specks and red fish that I'll pair with a shimano chronarch 200e7. I will be doing mostly wade fishing. I'll also fish from a boat or yak every now and then. I'll be throwing plastics on jigheads, topwaters, and popping cork rigs. I'd love a rod for every technique but I can only afford one Nice rod for now. I'm not set on a length or action yet. I'm open to all recommendations. Want to keep it under $150 but if you think a rod is worth it for more than $150 please mention it! Thanks Guys!

Stay with a shorter handle. I have built many an 8' rod for wade fishermen and am getting a lot of calls with the popularity of yaks for the same reason. 8' medium power, moderate action for most applications such as top water, jigs, etc. Longer easier more controllable cast with still enough power to hoss them in.

Short handle and long rod, 7'+. Something in the medium action range

for 150 falcon lowrider. at 200, the st croix avid is a great buy.

Man, I sure wouldn't spend 2 hunny on a salt rod. Its not bass fishing where you need a light feel to detect the bite. Reds and trout hammer time your bait. The salt destroys stuff quite readily even if you keep it clean so I opt for a lower end stuff and replace as needed. My go to for chunking cut bait/popping corks is a AG 5501 C4 on a 7'6" Shimano Voltaous and a basic Lews mounted on a 7' med Voltaous for tops/jigs. These carry a lifetime breakage guarantee and have SS guides..perfect for salt.