The 4 Seasons Sporting Goods, Bobs Bauits and Postipalks all sell them for 95 to 99 here. MSP is usally discounted somewhat, unless it is a company like St Croix and Fenwick that fix prices .

I bought 4 out of 5 of my St. Croix rods at 30%-50% off. My Fenwick

Techna AV AS70MM at 40% off. You just have to be patient and look

for a deal. My deals were not "special", they were all available to the

general public.

8-)

If it wasn't for you posting the Reed Family link, I never would have known about Fenwicks being sold anywhere at a discount

If you want to go real value based and spend about fifty bucks Tsunami makes a saltwater rod I use that is good for big swimbaits. Downside is it is only seven feet long so you lose some casting distance. I use it for short pitch casts in areas with overhanging trees etc. so I like the shorter length.

The Diawa rod is a decent rod however they grossly overestimate its lure rating. It is horrible with baits near 4oz and above. For smaller baits like mine its not bad but I would still take the Okumas. Now IMO nothing competes with the Okuma for arround $100. You can buy better rods but not in that price range. Their lure ratings are good.

Hands down spend the extra 10 bucks and get a Okuma. I love mine (7'11" XH). I recently broke the tip guide and called up Okuma and asked no questions, just told me to send it back with a check to pay for shipping costs. Two weeks later I had a brand new rod at my doorstep. Rod does great with Hudds, Punkers, and anything else you throw at it. Mine is paired with a Shimano Cardiff 400, which is also a great reel for the money.