Jeremy...when i think of the ultimate catfish rod i can look at the surge rods specs and it hit the nail on the head...only 2 things that keep me from buying one number 1. its not a blank through handle,not sure how that effects the intregraty of that specific rod but it shys me away becaus ein my mind a blank through handle is stronger than one that is not.
and 2. the reel seat doesnt look all that beefy,i like the reel seats that are on the ugly stick tigers.
STYLE OF ROD 7' 10" CASTING
NUMBER OF PIECES 1
LINE WEIGHT 20-50 LB. <perfect
LURE WEIGHT 3 - 12 OZ. <perfect
MANUFACTURERS ACTION HEAVY
NUMBER OF GUIDES 10 + TIP <perfect
TOTAL HANDLE LENGTH 25-1/2" CORK
TRIGGER YES  <great!
 WHITE FIBERGLASS AND GRAPHITE
 COMPOSITE BLANK. STAINLESS COATED
 GUIDES DESIGNED TO STAND UP TO
 BRAIDED LINES. <perfect
and then i would add blank through construction and fuji reel seat.

I would have to say my Berkley E-cat#4 rods have had them since 1995 when Jim Moyer developed them, unfortunately these rods came before there time if Berkley would have waited a couple of years they would have sold a ton of them, I have been involved in catfishing all my life and when these rods came out they were like 70 bucks a rod back then people just didn't spring that kind of money for a catfish rod, I got Lucky Fisherman's quarters in Dayton. Ohio had 2 of them and couldn't sell them, I liked the handle and feel of them and the guy said I'll sell them both to you for 65 dollars, Man I couldn't get the money out of my billfold fast enough.

To this day I have those rods and still use them, found another one at a garage sale brand new still wrapped up, for 15 bucks, guy didn't even know what he had, the eye inserts have come out from a few dropped rods and I have a buddy that puts new and better eyes on the rods.

I found out about 2 more just last week that are brand new so I'll be doing some negotiating to try and establish a handhold on those rods also, I know when they pop up on e-bay they go for well over 150.00 per rod, I like cork handles better than the EVA grips, takes a bit more care with the cork but myself I like the feel of this rod, I have caught a lot of fish on them so the tips are much faster now than back in 95, they just seem to get better with age and because I use nothing but circle hooks the faster tip is ideal for setting up on Blues and Flatheads...............Doc

My Perfect Rod is hooked to a 100lb Blue
My next choice would be the Tiger gold in 7' med/heavy  [smilie=a_rolling.gif]  [smilie=a_yumdumdoodledum.gif]  [smilie=a_goodjob.gif]

I really liek the reel seat and handle on that bad boy...whats the price of one of them rods?

Jim Moyer did the design of the E CAt.  He now has his own but the tips are lighter.  They work reel well though.  My Preference is the Big Cat Rod.  Several different weight classes and they handle big fish really good.

i couldnt bring myself to pay $400+ for a rod even it was the best rod ever made..with rods i i like to stay under $100{which is very easy to do} and with reels i stay under $200.