Saltwater-grade rods in the sub-$200 range usually fish like rods in the "sub-suck" range. Not these. Designed with meium-fast to fast actions, they'll easily punch big casts into crazy winds, with a little extra power in the back end for the final 20 feet. Updated in 2016 with classy appointments and an overall drop in weight, the Ion XL is attractive, responsive, and (still) the toughest rod we've ever produced.