Rapp, most of us that have been serious fishermen for a long time collect a number of rods that fit speicific needs the best. For example, a 9' rod rated for 8 to 12 lb. is a good all around steelhead and coho salmon rod. A 9' rod rated 10 to 20 lb. is a good all around chinook and chum salmon rod. That's a bit lite for backbouncing and big fall 'nooks, for which I would prefer a 12 to 25 lb. rod. If you had to get by with only one rod, a decent all around salmon/steelhead rod would be a 9' rated 8 to 17 lb. ...
The best budget rods available below $100 are the Berkley 'Buzz Ramsey' IM7 graphites for $80. The next level up in the $125 range are the All-Star rods and Lamiglass 1000 series rods. The All-Stars are 'the' bargain to be had right now because they are a superior rod for the money at around $129.95 per. They have been around for a couple decades making other types of rods and their new salmon and steelhead rods have been designed by a former GLoomis rod engineer. I don't know this for sure, even though a couple friends of mine rep those rods, but I have a hunch that they will increase in price once they get established in the market as a top rod. Now is the time to get in on that bargain. ... You might also consider a custom built rod made from 'second' blanks (ones that have a small flaw that won't hurt the rod's performance); you can get a good deal on some of those.
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