Morph808

Zillion HD, the newest one made in Japan. Has long handle for power fishing. Or go with a Tatula Coastal 200, or the older Zillion HD 1520. Both have the internal guts to handle strong fish.

I think Brad has contracted with a blank manufacturer in China to build rods to his specs.

Sniper, Abrazx, PLine Tactical

Check out NorcalKat on IG. He makes striper-specific topwater baits. I have his pencil walker. Sucker casts a mile.

Small company but Donkey Bay Swimbaits have their Herring and that burns very well. The Cigar Trout is a smaller profile that also burns well.

You have the TK Hi float?

Could be confidence as well. Some guys are more familiar with glides vs. other big baits styles. I can only imagine he has only a little bit of time to experiment with new stuff, but has to then focus and find techniques he can rely on for at least 2 days of tournament fishing.

He's now building them using Stryker Rod blanks from Oregon. They used to be Rogue Rods but under new ownership - Nate Langelo is the owner. Their website sells production rods from the shop, but only one finished swimbait rod the 796SB. I have one and they are very, very light as advertised (the carbon fiber handles do help in that). Makes a great topwater rod for walking baits, otherwise great for smaller glides in the 1-4oz range. I think that build you have is on their 7117 blank. They don't have a premade build yet on that, BUT I inquired about that and their 7'11" Salmon Bounce Back finished rod (has full carbon fiber rear handle) is built on almost the exact blank.

If 7'4" is not too long, then the Megabass Black Jungle Power Versatile fits the bill for that.

I don't own the LDC standard issue but I've owned one of their XH Workshop rods and a Dobyns 867. LDC is much truer to their ratings than Dobyns. There is a good chance the 8'6" is softer than the 8' but that extra length does give you more line pickup on the hookset and cushion when fishing the fish especially if it wants to surge next to the boat.

Look at the Daiwa Coastal SV TWS 150. That might be what you are looking for.

You should message Levi Jones from Leviathan Rods for his take. I met him at TD4 and he's a cool guy (guy in black shirt, on the opposite side is Alex from Tackletour.com).