At $100 a pop with a 5 yr warranty, can you do much better for the price?

Yep, with a lifetime warranty, unless you prefer a cool paint job and split grips-

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Compre_Casting_Rods_IM8_Graphite/descpage-SCCR.html

If you could trade a broken Shimano for a Avid with the St. Croix Upgrade plan, I would be sold! I guess I'm in love with my fancy purple paint job. Not really, I own a few Mojos and Avids in the exact same sizes and actions. I bought the mojos for packing around in a work truck. I have been pleased with every aspect of the rod, even the "heavy tip" NO, it's not an Avid but its not fancy painted junk IMO

I like my Clarus, especially for the $. 

The BPS Carbonlite is another great one to look at for that price range.

My local Dicks Has some sweet quantum Baitcasters. Just need to go pick one up soon....

give or take a little bit a Falcon original, Falcon makes really good rods.

   -gk

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems that I might need to check out a Shimano Clarus.   ;D