I have 20 years into guiding salmon and steelhead. I’ve got 40 years of fishing the finest rods $ can buy as fishing is the only luxury I provide myself. So I preferred to try them all and stop with the best Imvho. For an ALL AROUND salmon Rod something you may use from the boat or the bank. Troll it, cast it, plunk it, bobber fish it (extremely light 11’6” rod) Built in much the same manner as the g.Loomis samr. It seems they even share the same paint with the new model. I do have the 2016 models (WEST COAST) models in stock as well. But in an awesome change, shimano used the high end technium blank to make this rod. Salmon, steelhead, striper, even sturgeon capable. Do not be fooled by the 12-25 rating. This rod is an animal. Btw this new model has new harder Fuji eyes and strength has been increased by 25% while the diameter of the rod went down 15%. An excellent rod that looks as good as it performs. In the pics is a 2016 model for comparison. All that being said, I’ve been known to throw in awesome gifts. I ship in pvc tubing . Reference my feedback on how I treat your stuff.