XST are not even close to the word Noodle your builder probably is just being over caution because Braid can and will break rods especially if you don't know how to fish braid as in ZERO stretch. The XST1264 has stood the test of Harvest time with very few break other than the fly's issues of way over harvest on Kings. If you are going spin then your most likely not fishing for Kings in this case the XST1263 would be my first choice also the new XST1144 would be another great choice for the ultimate spin Float dog. By the way I never leave home without my XST1264 float rod bait caster no mater Steelhead or Kings I harvest with it so get one of those built as well.

Rod Blank Model # XST1263F-TC 10' 6" 2pc Med/Lt 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat: GSTG17C-TC Textured Gray Graphite Spin Reel Seat w/Cushion-Real Light TICH
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/17/SPIN .660" OD 4.05" Length
Trim Ring: TRS17-TC Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 17 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350 12" Cork Rear Grip Straight 'A'
Winding Check: AWC490 Aluminum Winding Check .490" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R04.5 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.5 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCYTCG ALPS SS316 - Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring
Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 5"
2nd XPTCFCG06 11"
3rd XPTCFCG06 18"
4th XPTCFCG07 26"
5th XTCYTCG07 36"
6th XTCYTCG08 47"
7th XTCYTCG10 59"
8th XTCYTCG16 72"
9th XTCYTCG25 86"

or

Rod Blank Model # IST1144F-M
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GS17-GWG-C Thread down towards rear handle
Reel Seat Shim SHIM/17/SPIN
Foregrip: FG25A-250
Winding Check: BWC13
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top XTCPZT06F05.5
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG07
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG08
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG10
7th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG12
8th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG16
9th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG25
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4.25-9.25-15.25-22.25-30.125-38.250-48.5-61-76.750

Rod Blank Model # XST1264F-TC 10' 6" 2pc Med 10-17lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat Body: GTBTG16C-13.0 Graphite Trigger textured Blank Exposed w/cush R/S - Black (ream to fit)
Reel Seat Hood: GTT16C-SN-TC Hood w/cush Single Nut - True Light TiCH
Trim Ring: TRS16-TC Trim Ring for Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: HERG14.0S-375 14.0" High End Reargrip Super Grade ID .375"
Winding Check: AWC490 Aluminum Winding Check .490" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT07R05.0 ALPS SS316 - RRD-P Top 07 TiCH Ring 5.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCLXNCG ALPS SS316 - LXN Guide w/TiCH Ring -TiCH w/o chrome
Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG07 4.25"
2nd XPTCFCG07 9"
3rd XPTCFCG07 14.25"
4th XPTCFCG07 20.25"
5th XPTCFCG08 27"
6th XTCLXNCG08 34.5"
7th XTCLXNCG10 43"
8th XTCLXNCG10 52.5"
9th XTCLXNCG10 62.75"
10th XTCLXNCG12 73.75"
11th XTCLXNCG16 85.75"
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead
XST1264F