Update:
While Al was at the Classic, he picked me up a rod that should fit the bill pretty well.....But it just so happens I was at Bulls Eye bait and Tackle in OFallon and found a perfect rod there too. It's a 6' fast tip medium rated from 1/16-1/2 oz. It's a very light and sensitive rod that loads well and still has enough backbone to drive the hook home. Great thing is it's built in Collinsville, IL 40 minutes from my house. The price was $150. Between this rod and the one Al picked up for me I should be set! But I was just about ready to have Hoglaw build me one!...Oh well
here's the link:
http://www.broutlawrods.com/home.html
BTW, I got the BR60M 6' model