Who cares who's name is on a rod? I never got caught up in the I have to have a (insert the latest trendy brand here) rod because it is the "best brand". You should worry about how the rod casts in YOUR hands, not the name on the rod or what some marketing genius claims you need. Latley, I have been fishing rods that I have assembled or built myself, but I do own a few factory rods. I try to cast all of the latest factory rods at the shows that I attend and most of the time I am not impressed. Most feel like casting the late Caswell's broomstick. One of my favorite factory rods is a Cabelas Three Forks...go figure.

Brad