I would never buy a rod for $500. My driftboat with a motorcycle cost me $850 (sold the bike for $600)! Most of what I fish is in the $200 range.

I think that braid has leveled the playing field as far as rods go when it comes to drift fishing.

I had a friend with me last year who was running 12# mono on some kind of Berkely rod. I handed him an older 1141 Rainshadow with 20# braid to a slinky and he was in shock as to what he was feeling.