d:
(5)

with a Lexa 400hd or Komodo 471? Generally looking for a do-it-all rod for 2 and 3 day trips.... fishing maybe 30# live bait, throwing Tady 45's and snipers, fishing squid around the Channel Islands, etc.

It's all about line test - which SHOULD determine the drag setting. It's the drag load that suggests the appropriate bend in the rod for a given test. So, 30# suggests a drag setting of say 8-10 lbs. At that level I'd opt for the MH, though one might go H if they were usually tossing something heavier which would benefit from a stiffer tip "H" version might be preferable to you. Both the MH and H will fish 30 well, the H will just be a little stiffer. The XH wouldn't load up as well, would detract from your cast and not be as much fun fishing 30 on.