I have been fishing the entire NW & Canada for 30 years. :-k Think it out you have so many options, Lamiglas, GLoomis, Shimano, Xrod, etc and so forth. Ya you can spend 500.00 on a new rod, but after 30 years of fishing I wouldn't. Before you go spend 500.00 on 1 rod. take a look a the New 2012 Shim...