I have the 9' 8wt. for bass bugging and it a good, strong rod. My preference is a slower action but it just takes a few casts to get used to it after using bamboo and it's a fine rod as far as I'm concerned. I also bought a Scierra 6wt. from Cabela's and god 1/2 price Medalist with it. It's a very good rod and I've used it on driftboats in water I didn't want to use my bamboo on. Used to live near a Cabela's and miss that easy access.