Looking for a blank to build a swim grub spinning rod for smallmouth. Open to either 6'6" or 7', would prefer 7' if not too heavy. Needs to be able to throw a 1/4oz head and 4" GYCB type grub in wind, and forgiving enough to let brown fish pull in deep water on 6# fluorocarbon.

Leaning towards a popping blank, possibly the IMP843, but have not been able to find much info from freshwater users. Seems like the popping blanks come closer than some of the spin jig blanks and built rods, which tend to be too stiff for my taste. Hooks are open, or single wire guards at most, fish tend to load up and initially hook themselves, so hookset power is actually a negative. Any suggestions would be great.