If you want sensitivity, qualitiy guides, light, good seat for a quality price...I would pair up the real with a Fenwick HMX. I got two and love 'em over most other rods, ugly stick included. Now depending on the application, its best to determine what specs you need on the rod, say if its a panfish rod go with a light 6foot6incher; tossing big pike baits 8'6" heavy....for versatility and multispecies i would go for a 7foot medium/heavy with a fast action tip.