My 1st high dollar(?) rod was a Loomis GL3, several years ago, for a whopping $285. I bought it for the sensitivity, as I was just getting into steelhead drift fishing, and learning the feel of a steelhead bite was difficult. What I did was 'buy' bite lessons from a good sensitive rod. Since then, I have not paid more that $200 for any rod. The last one I bought was around $170 or so, it was the total price for the components of a rod that Eric built for me. Lightweight, durable, very sensitive.
Now I can feel the fish open their mouth before they take the bait!
Not to mention, I can cast my gear much farther into the trees on the opposite shore.........Life is Good