If you like a longer rod around 7' long which I assume you do since you have a couple St.Croix rods check out a 7' Shimano Soare BB, S700SULS. I got mine in 2018 and it's my favorite rod. Don't know what they cost now but I paid $120 including shipping then. It has a soft, sensitive tip but plenty of back bone and the length protects light line really well. Nothing is safe with this rod. I caught a 50# grass carp with this rod, 10# bass and 3# crappie. There is a 7.5' version as well and that's a good one too. A little stiffer than the 7' version, more of a crappie rod which is what you mainly fish for. I've spent up to $350 on JDM rods but the 7' Soare is at the top of my list.