Matt --- Something to think about since you are in the SW Washington area. The North River rods at Fisherman's Marine are of adequate quality, cost about $70, and they also make them in 9 and 9.5 foot spinning. The big plus is that if they break for any reason, the exchange for your choice of rod (it could be different) takes about 3 minutes. That is kinda hard to beat.
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Jack

Please join CCA. After only 18 months total Pacific Northwest membership is over 7,000. We need you!

The walls of death have got to go!