Another 2 cents worth , i started the season last year with an all new Aba 7' and loved the thing til i broke it moveing around in the boat and hit the tip on some thing , it broke way to easy i thought for only having it for a few weeks , then i bought or i should say the wife brought me home a 7' Shamano for mt birthday and at first i refused to use it thinking i wanted another Aba , but as time had it i ended up going fishing early one morning with it and feel in love with it , it balanced out real nice on one figure and thats what i fished the rest of the season with and probably my rod for this year as well , then again i am not a seasoned diehard thats tuned in yet.