When I fish its usually a 7-8 hour trip that ends up around 8:00 AM.
Cover lots of area, don't go on jettys.
What I like to throw range from Red Fins to 4 1/2 oz Rip-Plugger plugs to 14" Hogys.
Also work spooks, poppers and pencils.
The rod I used most this past year was an Avid 11' rod rated 3-8 oz (weighed 13.3 oz).
I was able to throw loaded red fins fine, SP Minnows I could drill a good distance, big plugs loaded real nice, could work a pencil and the 14" Hogys were a pleasure to cast with this rod.
The surprising part was the ability to cast 1 - 1 1/4 oz plugs.
I know almost nothing about rod action, just my opinions and thoughts from my fishing.
Seems the Avid has a section near the tip that loads with the small plugs and then the rest of the rod loads with the heavier plugs.
My other experiences with rods have not handled the range of the Avid, of the ones that could handle the plug size range, they struggled with the 14" Hogy.
I have heard good things about the CTS Vapor Trail handling a wide range and being a very versatile rod(also extremely expensive).
Any thoughts on "all around" rods?