I have the rod. It does lack a little backbone, but I like that it absorbs all the head shakes while bringing up a big laker. I personally like the rod, but I usually fish with smaller jigs then most. (1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz.) The backbone may be a little bit of an issue in deep water with hook sets, but the use of braid will compensate for that if fishing deeper then 40 feet.