I've used several different brands of rods over the years, but for the last few years I've switched to Kistler Rods (the magnesium and heliums), some of which were factory made and one I custom built myself, and I couldn't be more pleased. These rods, in combination with fluorocarbon line, allow you to pretty much feel a fish do so little as breath on your lure! Now, I've got a friend who is also a Kistler fan, but he recently bought a couple Gary Dobyns rods and he will now swear by them for the rest of his life!

As for reels...I've used the $79 Bass Pros and were pleased with them. However, I now have Shimano Curados on my rods and they are the smoothest reels I've had a hold of, especially for the money.

I guess it boils down to the fact that there are many good rods and reels on today's market. Probably as long as you spend a little money on the rod and on the reel, you can't go too wrong.