>>811258Just go with a weedless Texas rig. They normally don't get caught up on that and will still run on the bottom like your jigs. Also the shakey head rigs if you want. Pic related is the shakey head type.
>>811247How big are the pikes and drum? Bullhead and pickerel would be fine on a M, but you may want a MH if you are catching larger drum and (northern) pike a lot.
You can always do Ugly Stiks, they are $40 US but I'm not a huge fan of them with lures because they aren't very sensitive or fast. Berkley Lightning Rods are my favorite cheaper rods at $40 US and they carry them at tons of places. Fenwick Eagle and Shimano Sellus rods are both decent too for around $60 US.
If you go to Bass Pro, Cabela's, or Gander Mtn, they will have their store brand rods and you can often get a lot for your money if you go that route. They are manufactured by larger companies anyway so they will be just like a name brand rod with a cheaper price tag. Dick's (if you have those in Canada) has the Field & Stream rods which is their store brand and I have heard good things about those.
