Your right on the money Brandon, I took a couple of the T curves on my first popping trip and though casting was quite easy they struggle to work a decent size cup at all, stickbaits was easy and it would throw them a mile. Do yourself a favour and get a decent rod like a ripple fisher that's what I have done and should have done first off. As for the Daiwa, I hated the butt set up and crossed it off my list, have since grabbed an ultimo for stickbaiting. The t curve was good value for the money though, but I think you will be reaching for something better quite quickly, not much chop being unable to work chuggers after you have shelled out money for a trip due to the inadequacies of your gear.