Unless you have money issues, there isn't a problem spending some cash on rods. It seems like nowadays you can spend right around $100 for all the rod you will need. Even some top pros are fishing with $100 rods and reels. Yeah, there is more sensitivity in the top of the line rods if you want (and can afford) to pay for it. I will admit that I can not feel a darn thing fishing with an Ugly Stik tough but if I could spend $30 and get the same feel out of my better rods then I probably would. I like to spend my money on baits more than rods, reels, and lines. Curse the bait monkey!