I'm with BB75 on this one. I've been fishing with 3 different weights of Berkly IM7 rods for 6 years now and have yet to break one of them. The little ceramic doughnut in the line guide has fallen out twice and Berkely replaced the rod for $45.00 each time.
I put a lot of pressure on my gear while fishing the terminal areas with heavy lines (14-18 lbs).
I don't believe in letting the fish run all over the place in these crowded conditions so I tend to put the rod and reel drag to the test. Sure I get some break offs and pull outs but that's all part of the deal.
A buddy of mine was bragging up his new Loomis last year right up until the time he broke it, twice in one season. He still ended up fishing his old gear for most of the year.
cry
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IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE GEAR THAT MATTERS, IT'S THE JERK ON THE ROD.

"I reject your reality and substitute my own"