every rod brand is a little different. for me my st. croix avids have taken everything i have dished out. my oldest is 7 years old. for $170 i would say that is a fair price range to balance sensitivity and longevity.

I like st croix premiers...about $100.

Also the BPS Extreme poles are pretty good too.

Thinking of a St Croix Mojo rod next, or a carrot stick (they're so darn ugly).

I like st croix premiers...about $100.

Also the BPS Extreme poles are pretty good too.

Thinking of a St Croix Mojo rod next, or a carrot stick (they're so darn ugly).

x2 on the uglyness of the e21. That's the ONLY reason I got rid of mine. But past the bad looks those rods fish like a dream, IMO.

i recomend the shimano rods too for the money.

the compre and esp the crucial.

my "best" (most expensive) rig is my crucial mh and quantum tour edition 7.1.... and this is my everyday go to caralina rod. it will also do jigs and topwaters. love it.

I would recommend Phenix rods but they are over $180, except for their X10 crankbait rod ($180) great review from Tackltour.com

If durability is your main concern.... get a rod with a lifetime warranty. Crucials,Compre,Avids, Loomis IMX  etc all have them. You pay a bit more, but have a lighter more sensitive rod that you will enjoy more and piece of mind for years down the road. To me it's a better value in the long run vs a 50 dollar rod with say a 1yr waranty. But to each his own.. depends on your idea of value. Some guys are quite satisfied with Ugly Stick Lite or less expensive rods and have them for years. Once I started using St. Croix or Loomis I felt I wanted that type of rod from then on. I have way too many 49 Dollar bargain rods collecting dust.  I have Crucials that I like too. All Star is a good rod and you can get a lifetime warranty with a Compre for about 100 bucks.