I have the XST 1143 in a spinning set up for side drifting some coastal rivers for winter metal......I talked with KB early this fall about using it as a spinner rod for ho's.....he bawked on the idea. I was going to loan my rod to a buddy I was fishing for the weekend. Between my buddy being a cracker and what Kerry said the rod stayed home.Good luck,

SZ

PS, Like said above...plenty other choices for what your looking from rainshadow.