I need a little help selecting a rod, I have a Shimano Calais 201DC casting reel, I use braided line. I need a rod with a fast taper at the tip but still has a stiff backbone. Braided line doesn't stretch so I need the line to give a little bit so I dont rip the hook straight out of the fishes mouth. The Certified Pro X 86 MC seems like a good choice but is it stiff enough in the middle? I don't want my rod to turn into a U. I think the X 86 MTC may be to flimsy?

I do mostly drift fishing using a rapala, spinner, jig, and sometimes just a corky. I need something versatile, but not too stiff. Basically, flippy at the tip to let the braided line give, and somewhat stiff in the middle to keep the rest of the rod tight.

Last week I caught a 24" Rainbow on a floating rap at Sheeps Bridge at Wickiup Reservoir in LaPine last Sunday, I had a real flimsy old Ugly stick and it was bent nearly 180 degrees.

Oh, I gotta stay under 9' cause my case only holds a 2 peice rod under 9'.

I hope I made sense.

Am I right? X 86 MC? Any other suggestions?

Thanks, BRAD