Thanks Mark, The rod that was at the Bass-a-thon is the rod Jerry and I developed with Roy Hastings, Graphite USA/Hastings Rod Mfg. We have been selling it in Japan. Rick Grover saw it at ICAST this year and we debuted it at the Bass-a-thon. yes it is a high dollar rod with hand cut colored burl cork rings and Titanium sic Fuji guides and the rod weighs under 5 oz. Japan wanted only the best components and as light as I could get it, but I can build it with less expensive guides and handle material and you still get a great rod, just less money. I have many different models from 7'6" to 8'6" and Price ranging from $200 on up on my swimbait rods. I have a 8' swimbait rod coming out soon. I am waiting for Fuji Japan to make me a special guide and then I hope to have them avalible at Tacklewarehouse.com very soon. Any questions post, email or call. David