The last time I checked fish don't really care how much you spend on a rod, as before mentioned the most important thing is to get out there have fun with whatever you can afford or feel comfortable with. Myself I have 3 rods wich compared to some is nothing, but I regularly find myself using the first rod I got which is the least exspensive of the three. Like I said before fish don't care, and if you're having fun with what you have neither should you.

good luck, tight lines

Brent