Hi Larry
I went crazy buying equipment back when I was younger.I have all graphite rods by orvis,sage,Gloomis etc and my reels are from hardy,marryatt,abel etc.I have rods from 2 weight to 8 weight and the cheapest rod ,reel line combo is over $600 to over a $1000! I had an orvis cane (bamboo rod) that I bought used for $700(I ended up selling it,a friend kept bugging me to buy it so I sold it to him).I tell you this sport can get very expensive if you were like me at the time,young single and self employed.I always said to myself though that I would have this stuff for a lifetime,and when I got older with more responsibilities I would not be able (other half would kill you!)spend money like I did.But,the truth of the matter is that it's not what your holdin that matters it what's passin past the fish's eyeballs that counts!
I mainly fished in the Catskill mts for trout,but also fished the jersey shore for stripers and bluefish.I would check into that bamboo rod,thay all look alike but some are worth alot of money.One thing I do know ,I could tie all my rods together and they would still snap like a tooth pick if I hooked one of those blue catfish you and your friends are holding in those pictures!!Those bad boys are huge!!!! What do you use salt water rods and reels?
Jim