first off let me say that I use rods from all over, I don't look at price or where it is sold at, I look at the rod, I want a rod that will do special things, I want a rod that will not give me a cracking noise when I bend it, and I bend it hard in the store before I buy it, I have several rods that are custom built only because when doing R&D for shimano on rods I could not get them to listen and do what I wanted, first off I want an IM7duroglass rod, that is a rod with a fiberglass core and double wrapped in IM7 graphite very strong but you have to have the right taper and backbone on it or it will not do what you want. I am not knocking walmart or kmart rods as I have several from them I am saying that if you are going after MONSTER trophy catfish then you need to step up to a better rod than they carry, I have broken several high end rods catfishing, ask Jim P when that custom abu brute off shore rod snapped last year, he thought WW3 had started with stuff flying and the noise. so if you don't want your feelings hurt when targeting 50+ pound cats then step up, but when targeting the 50 and down most good quality rods from any good store will do

I have one custom built rod. It was built by my granpa and me its a 9 foot flyrod. We built it when I was around 12 one of the best rods I ever owned.

Step up to the Uglystick custom bigwater rods next time Flathunter. Same action as the tigers, but with 9 fuji guides, a longer foregrip and a slick buttgrip for easy removal from a rodholder.

yep love these rods they are great!

Jim, catfish connection carries the ugly stik custom rods, in 7ft length, medium, and medium heavy action for 55 bucks each.

Thanks guys, i think i'm gonna have to have one......or more 8)

That's funny, the guides are the reason I love the Tigers so much.

IMO inserts are just another peice that can fail, and I've had them come loose from other rods.  The SS is also very sturdy.  I look for rods now with one piece double footed guides preferably in SS.