I like the 1026c (8'6" 12-25#)2 piece. It's a standard taper, not the mag. taper, a fast action not the xfast. Casts better, has a typical drift rod action, not a plug rod action. I along with many clients, feel that it's a better choice for a king drift rod than the HS1023.
This was a very popular bouy 10 rod for us last summer and has carried over into the rivers as a nice king drift rod.