For my 8th birthday one of my presents was a Shakespeare Tiger Spincast combo. I am now just a few months from turning 28 and while the reel has been gone for about a decade (Replaced with a Penn No. 85 conventional reel) the rod is as solid today as it was all those years ago when I was given it.

As far as fish it has tangled with its done just about everything in freshwater (flatheads, blue cats, pike, striper, and carp just to name a few). I have regularly used this with weights up to 4 ounces and as low as a half-ounce and the rod has handled it all without complaining.

There are only two complaints I can think of for this rod. It is a bit heavy for all day casting and the sensitivity is less than ideal for light biting species.