I also use some of the Okuma Down rigging rods for some of my down rods. They do not have as soft of an action as the rods I actually use for down rigging but they are more sensitive than Ugly Stiks. It can help when the fish gum baits and could possibly feel the rod.
I also use some of the Ugly stik GX2 rods. But they do not have the longer butt on them. They work great for me in a few applications where I don't want a long rod butt sticking out. The tips are a little softer too. They are NOT indestructible like the standard Ugly stik. I found that out the hard way.
Kinda crazy that they would go all in on those tube holder rod ends. It's a great idea for gunnel mount type rod holders but I wouldn't want to use them in my rod holders where the butt comes out the bottom. They should offer both.