Probably all good rods but I agree with the above, I won't ever get one without atleast trying one out first. Not necessarily the actual rod but the same rod that maybe somebody else has so I can see what it feels like. Every manufacturers actions are a little different so one will more than likely match your feel better than the others. For me that's falcon. I do have a dobyns swimbait rod and an old allstar Carolina rod I use for frogs but falcon is my main one. I used to be real big on the one brand deal but there's really no point if someone builds a better rod of a certain action. They aren't paying you to use their stuff.

I love the phenix rods. Those are the blanks I build the majority of my rods on. The M2 and K2 are phenomenal. In that price range which phenix are you contemplating?

Check out the warranty policy as well as in if you break it , as in break it with no questions asked and or break it under a defect issue. Dobyn's has a great replacement program and upgrade program, but you got to keep up with your receipt