I had 10 of the Kistler LTA and in four months, I broke two of them on hook sets. I sent them back and they would not replace them, only give me a discount on a new one. Their warrantee is not life time, it is one year, and you better be able to prove when you bought it. I went ahead and bought the two discounted rods, because it was cheaper than buying them at regular price and I needed the rods replaced. A few months later I broke another one on hook set, I didn't even call them, I just bought a Duckett micro magic for the same price I was discounted on the Kistler. I tested the Duckett and the Kistler with the same bait and reel and the Duckett casted farther, and weighted a little less. Now I own four Duckett rods, which ARE life time warranteed. I have not broke any more Kister rods, and it has been two years since then. I really liked the LTA Kistler rods, and still do, but the Ducketts are cheaper, lighter, cast farther, and have a much better warrantee. I am not down on Kistler, they are a great rod, but not their warrantee. JMO