I'm using a (1pc) 6'6" Norsemen Outdoors ESP PowerLite rod for casting jigs. Paired with a Shimano Aero 1000 reel & 6lb test Vicious Panfish hi-vis copoly line.

IF your rod "has to" have cork handles, forget about ESP rods ... their handles are graphite, tipped with cork on the ends. They have Tenn style handles with the "poodle tail" (extended handle) for leverage on hookset/fighting fish. The extended handle is on all rods over 6' in length ... but the 5' & 6' models do not have the "poodle tail" extension. Rods are High Modulus Graphite IM6 and extra fast taper (action).
Grizzly Jigs carries them @ $65 for the one I use, but they do not show them on their website. They're on pg 41 of the 2014 Catalog.

These rods also have micro guides ... so, if you're going to be using the rod to cast a slip float, these rods will not be a good choice. IMHO They're also designed for "rod in hand" use, and not so much for use in a rod holder. They do work in a holder, but are just a little cumbersome to remove ... due to the poodle tail extension.

This image is the handle end of the extended handle rods, to show what I mean by "poodle tail" :



Inside the graphite handle ... the rod blank has metallic disks around it, that transmit vibrations from the blank to the graphite handle. What they call VAT (vibration amplification technology).

I field tested for ESP ... their 5'6" UL -- 6'6" PowerLite -- 9' PowerJig rods. My UL ESP rod took the place of my previous dock shooting rod ... the PowerLite rod took the place of my 7' Sam Heaton Signature Series jig casting rod. I don't do a whole lot of "vertical jigging", so the PowerJig rod has seen limited action.

... cp