I want to build a rod for vertical white bass fishing. I will be using 1/8 and 1/4 oz jigs, 4 or 6 (and rarely 8) lb test line, in 15 to 25 feet of water. I am leaning toward a St Croix 4S60LF. I am also considering a 4S63MXF but fear it might be too much rod for the size fish (1 to 2 1/2 lbs) I normally pursue. Any input or other suggestions will be appreciated.

Don,
I think either would work, the 63MXF was designed for walleyes which are basically a log with fins once you hook one. I'm probably in trouble for that.
I think your White bass would still get your attention on that blank and it would be a dandy for skipping tubes and such around docks and for spots and largemouth when you get the urge.

Don,

When I go spooning here in Arizona I have a fishing rod I build and sell to a lot of my customers. I have mostly built them on 98 % graphite blanks as I don't need the sensitivity as I always have my finger on the fishing line. But anyway my overall length of these rods are 4'10'' yes you read it right. You see I fish from a bass boat and have my tranducer on the trolling motor on the front of the boat and what I have found is that you can't fish with long rods on the front of the boat that well. I go out and first find out where the center of my tranducer is in 20', 30', 40', 50', 60' an also find out what the outside area's are on the tranducer. I hope I am explaining tthis clearly to you. Anyway I found that using a short rod I can keep my spoon in the circle of my tranducer and in the most suitiable strike zone. My rods have some tip action but plenty of back bone to set the hook. I use 6lb up 12lb test line depending on what application the fish want from me. So you can take any blank on the market and make it into your jig or spooning rod. If you want to talk more to me about this type of fishing feel free in call me and I would love to tell you how to go about it. Also I should mention these rods are all spinning rods as they seem to be more comfortable to fish with for over 12 hours on the water.