If I were shopping the $100 and under range, I would (have) bought the Berkely IM7...(the red blank with exposed blank reel seat).
Right now on sale at GI Joes for $59.
Great rod.
My bro in law has NW Special and I see nothing great about it....I know there are better rods for same/less $.
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If you leave things up to interpretation, there's no room to be right.