I myself believe in the "use what you believe in" scenerio. I've owned lots of rods over ther years (and ask Os I still have quite a few) and have some favorites.

I have owned just about everything at one time or another (except Allstar and the "cheap" brands like silstar and such). I have a couple Loomis's and a few Lami's. But I truly love my old Fenwicks'. My favorite is my old F85C with a 5001c on it. I also swear more by the old Abu's over the new ones. I feel they were better made and are much more durable. But the old fen's have a good feel and great action. Just they're heavier. I still use them. They're great rods and I've caught a lot of fish with it. Then there's my Kunnan's. Love them to death and will cry when I snap my last one. But I truly feel that to a point you get what you pay for. I agree with RT that once you hit a certain point you're paying way too much for not much more.

Just my .02