I ordered two of these rods one for myself and one for my fishing partner. I've only used them crappie fishing so I can fish deeper with a bobber. We used them the first weekend we got them and caught 40 keepers on a Sat. & 24 on Sun. I also used it at Barkley on 12/2/08 and caught 15 keeper crappie & about a 6 lb. LM and boy that was a fight. I love this rod and I do not have the weighted handle but it may make it better to use but I didn't have any trouble just like it is.