I have to disagree on the Shimano rods. I feel there is no better rod in the $49.00-$99.00 rod catigory than Shimano. Being on a tight fishing budget I have used numerous "cheep" rods and in my opinion Shimano rod especially the Clarus offer the most bang for the buck. They are light, sensitive, strong (I have no clue what you did to break your rod TM, I have had mine praticly bent in half) and most of them have a lifetime warantee. I own a Loomis (GLX) and it is a very good rod, but my $60.00 Shimano is pretty damn good, and for the money they can't be beat. I have broken Loomis, Kistler, Fenwick, BPS, and Berkley rods, and most of the time it was not the fault of the rod but rather user error (creased a rod in a rod locker, puller WAY too hard on a snag ect) that is why I always look for a rod with a lifetime warantee.

Also remember Shimano owns Loomis