In need of enlightenment

[whatfly]

Answer has not changed since the last time this was asked. Yes, there is a difference...and a bit of marketing as well. If you cannot tell the difference, then there really is no need to worry about the higher end rods. All decent casters I know can tell the difference between the lower and higher end rods. You are not really saying you cannot tell the difference between a Cabela's Three Forks and a Orvis Helios, are you?

Regardless, fortunately one does not have to spend nearly as much on a rod as one used to, in order to get reasonable performance for a reasonable price.