Pugs...
There are decent poles in MANY price ranges.....we all have different 'budgets', so try to find something that fits in yours.
I am NO pole expert, but have bought a few...LMAO,,. yeah, just a few I keep telling myself...lol
Today, often poles are made for specific applications by many manufacturers, and often one type of Graphite may be used for that application, for one reason or another as opposed to others. heck, some companies even make poles today for "crankng" in fiber-glass still, though considered a 'way-outdated' pole material by others, as some crankbaiters like the characteristics it gives .
Some today have a IM6 base, but a IM8 tip....all kind of poles out there today.
ALL rod companies say they are the best ones out there...for the money.
Bass Pro Shops offers many levels of rods for many different price ranges, and I must say I think they are a good value for thier prices, as I have Tourney Specials, Bionic Blades, and Extremes [three of their mid-priced graphite poles], and I like them all, especially for what I paid for each one of them. Often, they are on sale there, and I have taken advantage of those sales to get some deals. My poles range from IM6 to IM8....
Now, when constructing a pole, there is a resin that the graphite fibers are mixed into, and then the pole is formed. The amount of resin to graphite varies froom brand to brand, too beside the different Graphite particles. From what I have been told, IM6 is he heaviest blank rod, then IM7, then Im8....
The best advice I can offer is to try to figure out what you intend to use the pole for...and buy a pole to meet that need/application. Each technique calls for specific attributes in a pole, as well as sizes too. For Jerkbaiting, I use a much shorter pole than for casting Senkos, in example.... For froggin" , I want a much stiffer/thicker pole than for real light jigging, so hopefully, you can see one pole does not do it all well. Some techniques call for an 'almost broomstick', were others call for a light delicate stick....
Once you figure what you will be using the pole for mostly, post here, and I am sure some will help you in the right direction for that application based on their experiences and their level of insanity[lol].
So many factors come into play when buying a pole....
length, wieght of lures suggested, action[extra fast tip,fast tip, slow tip, broom handle{LOL}],and of course, hopefully you can find it in a price you can afford .