I's say at around $100 the best rod out there is going to be a St.Croix Triumph.
One step up to a Eyecon series ($140) and you will never need a better rod.
I have a half dozen or more St.Croix's and twice that many Shimanos, Fenwicks and other brands (none of them cheap rods) and the only comparable rod is my G.Loomis (but it's my most expensive stick and more than twice the price we are talking about).
Solid, light weight, outstanding feel, fast response, great handles, solid seats and smooth guides.
Recent Fenwicks, to be blunt, although soild and sensitive have proven to be brittle and have broken (twice for the same series of rod for me) so I have been a little shy of these lately.
St.Croix is highly recommended.
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