Hi MVW,
At the time I was fishing for zander (a lot, on the Oxford canal in the north), I mainly relied on wobbling dead bait on my own rigs which are based on the classical drachkovitch rig. I used 2 rods:
- Speedmaster 270 XH - medium fast. Light, sensitive, well balanced. Shimano changes it every year, the carbon may be updated or the handle length may change a bit, anyway it remains the same good rod. It's very versatile and will be equally suitable for lures. Keeping in mind it is also my main rod for pike with Zam-Zs, Zalts, Buster jerk etc.
- Shogun PMM 240. Light, sensitive to the extreme, extremely well balanced. Primarily a wobbling deadbait rod. You would feel a zander farting 3 feet away from your bait. I have had tons of zander and perch, as well as pike. Definitely recommend it. Now, it's certainly not the best rod outside of wobbling deadbait. The tip, even in the PMM range which is softer than the PM range, is too sensitive when using a lure that produces much vibration. I have tried. When I was back home my teeth were still vibrating.
Have a good day!