I will tell you 1st hand the Okuma Guide Select Flipping stick is sweet. I have beat the hell out of mine and its still top notch. Lightweight, sensitive and tons of power to pull the big dawgs out of the stuff. As far as soft jerkbait rods I use the Castaway STH7 and it does a good job for me and also doubles for many other baits.

I am on the Okuma Pro staff, but I would use this flipping stick even if I wasnt.