Great question OP. Have used the premier rod. The blank is nice itself -lightweight with a nice moderate action for moving baits. However, when setting the hook, your baitcaster reel seem to move and wobble when fighting a fish within the reel seat. So much so that I have stopped using the rod. Have and use the aird x and ethos HD. For the price difference it is worth the step up in quality for fish fighting ability. Hope that helps.