I too have found that quality over quantity is the key, for me at least. I started off with rods in the $100 range (some damned fine ones) but once I got into the higher end Dobyns, St. Croix, and G. Loomis I realized that was the way I should have started. But I still use all of those $100 rods too to not real bid issue for me.

 

 I think a hundred buys a very good rod these days if you buy the right brand. I'm stepping it up now too but not to a point of foolish. I'm not on the Elite circuit.

If I could do it all over, I'd sell all my dobyns and st croix rods and go with all megabass.

I regret not researching the $50 to $100 price range on fishing rods better. To see what's better. I think the best buy out there in this price range is the No.8 Tackle Blackout rods. I should of looked for reviews first on you tube. And checked the reviews here. I don't go by price. I look how the rod feels from the handle to the tip. Right now it's the blackout and the LEWS SPEED STICK, lews speed stick tournament rods. But we're all different in what rod action/power/taper we want.

Before you pick on me I'm disabled and can't go to the store. I buy online. It's hard with the ratings all different. It says what I think I'm buying them it's totally a different feel.

if i could do it all over again - i would have bought Thorne Bros predator blanks in XH & XXH in 9 ft. from the get go besides my custom St. Croix Big Nasty that i have now . for my casting rods i would just buy Phenix rod blanks to build on

 

as for reels - i really like Lew's reels and recently been replacing all my Abu Garcia Revo reels with them ....