The only thing I can tell you is do not get caught up in conventional thinking. Do not be afraid to think outside of the box, experiment a little and be willing to take the time to try something new. Right now I am looking at the GUSA blanks trying to figure out if something can jig the canal out of their series.....
Those 'googs' several years ago who started banging the canal with 1209's and nautils started to turn conventional wisdom around and now the majority of people I see down there on the rocks are throwing spinning...
IMHO they both have their place and it is just a question of personal preference.
I also cannot stress enough the importance of a custom rod built to your specific body type. I am 6' 3" with a 37" sleeve. I can comfortably fish a custom rod with a butt length that will never be seen on a factory rod. Flaptail could probably fish one that would make you laugh out loud
