Had and Axe for 10 years and I love it. No better rod in a N/E wind and massive sea. Bite detection is still very good. If it ain't big enough to bend the rod it ain't worth catching to me. It will never win any casting competitions but thats like guys with flash cars, they are making up for something... ;-) Not all the fish are 200 yards away.. Its not what you got, its how you use it... Ha...!!! Can't believe I said that ;-)