QED

While that is laudable I don't think 1/2 oz anything qualifies as finesse.

As I noted earlier, just get a Daiwa Steez CT SV 70 XH and be done. You'll definitely notice the difference.

Or just get a Daiwa Steez CT SV 70 XH and be done with it. ?

Or it could be the usual product development cycle/learning curve following the classical s-curve where product improvements/refinements/cost-reductions get incorporated over time.

Kudos to you for gracefully correcting an error. Not enough of that going on these days.

A glib but apropos response to the original query is because one can appreciate and afford them. High end mass production bass spinning and casting reels now imply on the order of a $700ish price - at least that's what I had to pay. For specialty or tuned stuff, the sky is the limit.

I prefer great experiences, whether three Michelin star restaurants or travel to Italy, UK, France, Holland, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Canada, or wherever, relative to things. That said, high end fishing gear improves the fishing experience enough (to me) that I can rationalize it. YMMV.

I work in tech and one of the jokes (with a kernel of truth to it) that we used to tell was that the PRC contract manufactures build your stuff during the day shift and knock-off copies during the night shift. In the EDA industry, we wouldn't sell silicon IP in source code form into the PRC because we would only sell one of each - the copyrighted software sold there at the time was > 90% pirated. What does that have to do with Korean suppliers? We had ethical challenges with them as well. YMMV.

I have several JDM rods that have USDM counterparts and I don't note any particular differences in the rods. The JDM market seems to have better selections (especially in the lighter action rods) and are more likely to come with a rod sock and/or soft case (whether vinyl or nylon). Don't claim this is universally true but this has been my experience.

Note the word "typically" in my original comment. Which is correct in my experience. YMMV.

It typically buys you higher precision tolerances, better/lighter materials, and smoother operation. But in and of itself, it won't make you a better fisherman. But if you like fine things, consider them.

Odd, I caught the below fish on the below rig (UL 2lb test). To me, ML is like a pool cue! ?

You seem to have well defined wants, needs, and budget constraints so this is a case where a little deep dive research will serve you better than random opinions of strangers who have varying and unknown (for the most part) degrees of skill/experience.

Why not if you're slider fishing? I've caught tons of bass using short light rods during middle school and high school - Tennessee handled Fenwick UL HMG rods and pistol grip UL/BFS Shimano graphite casting rods. Still fish them on occasion and they continue to work fine. https://sliderfishing.com/shop/ols/products/50th-anniversary-fiberglass-rod https://sliderfishing.com/shop/ols/products/slider-4-9-fishing-rod-with-tennessee-handle-blue-rod1

I use Fenwick 4'9" to 5'6" HMG Tennessee handled rods with Vanford reels for this type of fishing. All under 7 oz rigs. I don't think we actually disagree on this subject.

Short Tennessee handled rods can easily weigh under 2 oz. Mine all do. Vanford spinning reels weigh (in 500 to 2000 form factors) between 4.9 - 5.3 oz.

Why? If he could have used good current gear under his prior gear selection criteria, he'd have a sub 7 oz rig that works better than the gear he actually used.

Spinning reels - my favorite has to be the Vanford. It's not a high-end reel but rather mid-tier but it is very light and smooth for its price point. Perfect for UL, slider, and midwest finesse techniques.

For me fishing is just a hobby so my thesis is to just do what works for you and makes the sport fun. I started using UL gear just because it was challenging and in the SJ County Delta system, which has a lot of boat/ship traffic, there weren't a lot of things to get hung up on so ultralight worked really well for me.

2 - 6 lb test UL spinning. 4 - 8 lb test UL & BFS casting. 8+ lb test - casting only. UL & BFS casting gear gets short shrift but works very well nonetheless.

I find their "exciting news" emails vaguely annoying. I pay them money, they ship the corresponding product(s). Many other vendors can do that too. What is "exciting" about a routine product purchase transaction? What hyperbole!

Just arrived from Japan (Daiwa 20 Steez AIR TW 500XXH):

Or if you want to do it old school: https://sliderfishing.com/shop/ols/products/slider-4-9-fishing-rod-with-tennessee-handle-blue-rod1 I use the Fenwick equivalents (which are no longer made), i.e., Tennessee handled HMG ultralight rods.

The Shimano built Lew's reels came with a similar parts kit and a vial of oil.

I hear you - it's been windy more frequently than usual this year in Silicon Valley. My hobbies are cycling, shooting, and fishing. While I don't avoid windy days, it definitely makes things more difficult.