One other option to consider when you are ready to spend a bit more is rather than buying off the shelf to consider having someone just custom make you the type of rods you are wanting. This way, you can buy them at the rate that fits your budget. There is one company here on TFF called Trinity (and I am sure some other good ones) and they seem to always to be offering attractive specials.

I dont have experience with this option simply because I never wanted to dedicate the time to it but definately something I would consider now. At least here you know the rods will fit you and your style so you wont be jumping around until you find a brand, the action etc that fits you.

I spend $80 tops, hi vis line allows me to see the bites

Buy what your budget will allow. I fish with Dobyns (Champion) and Ducketts. There is for sure a difference in the weight and sensitivity that should put more fish in the boat. Good luck!

Once I used a duckett rod everything else seemed impracticable. The, $400 rods were not any lighter or sensitive, and the 79$ rods were nothing even close. Deal breaker. If you need something moore your either too rich or too ignorant to appreciate them...

I have used my hands for over 35 years to make a living. I am an old school Bodyman. I don't have near the feeling in my hands that I used to from all of the wear and tear. I switched to G Loomis GLX a few years ago. I loved them for worm and jig fishing. After looking at the NRX at ICast I am now switching over to the NRX line. They are much more lighter and sensitive. I don't get to fish near as much as I would like to. When I do I want to feel the bite, not wonder about it. I always buy the very best I can afford. I have never been out fishing and wished I was using a cheaper rod!

If you're really a stick you can go to Wallyworld - get you a Berkley split grip 7' Lightning Strike rod in your favorite flavor and a Pinnacle Platinum Plus reel both for a total of about 90 bucks and catch fish with the best of em (It ain't the arrow it's the archer)

In some cases the answer is yes. In time you may develope your approach to catching bass to a point where you may need some more advanced rods to meet your needs. $100 can buy a pretty darn good rod. $200 might take you to the next level unless you are wanting flex guieds that add additional cost. Right now there is a flood of overseas fishing rods on the market. There are also some rod manufacturers that make their blanks and wrap them here in the US. Not many anglers could tell blindfolded which were made where.

do the voice box test. Put the tip of a $200 rod on someones adams apple, have them speak (FEEL THE TREMOR) on the rod as they talk....Go get your $39 all-star, do the same..... AS for the super light weight, I cant tell the difference between the two at the end of the day...I own a 38 different rods, seems like I have only seen the super light rods break over the past few years..If its anything other than an ALL-STAR Classic,,it was either given to me or I won it at a tournament.