I have a couple of St Croix Premier and the rest of my rods are $80 Gander IM-8's. If I could get an 8-6 or 9 ft Gander in Heavy power/fast action, I would probably jump at the chance. They have handled some nice fish for me already and do just fine trolling 14" Jakes into the rocks throughout the fall up here.
I don't think I have fished enough to appreciate the quality of a high end rod nor have I been doing it long enough to "earn the right" to pick up a piece of equipment in that class.
Money is certainly not burning a hole in my pocket after getting married 18 months ago and becoming a Dad to a soon to be 16 year old fashionista. I feel guilty even thinking about spending money on a rod like that in the first place, but my wonderfully sweet wife seems to think I deserve one.
So, I'll keep thinking about it and probably go back and forth a few times. Maybe by the time I make up my mind, Gander will have an 8-6 and/or 9 ft model of IM-8 and that will be that. HA!
I really would like to give that syncork a try sometime though.