Picking a Rod

[marty f]

been fumbling around here reading this and that. decided I wanted a new pole. I have my two fav poles on the boat, PENN.....something, but I think I want something different. If I was just going with another Penn Id just go grab it inspect it and go. But that got me thinking after reading some pole threads.

HOW DO YOU PICK A POLE?

The Penn poles I use are about 80$ but I have picked up 40$ poles and 240$ and couldn't feel the difference. The things I look for are construction, how well the eyes are made, how well they are attached, are they straight, how flexible the pole is, not to stiff, not to soft. How it feels when slinging it, how well the grips are attached and what they are made of (just me but I prefer cork) one piece or two, I don't use 2 piece poles. I look at how the reel will attach, nothing worse the a nice feeling pole, and the reel mounting is crap.

what are your eyes looking for in a pole?