Hi. Anyone own or use an older Star Delux SHB series rod? I recently bought a used 8'6" two-piece model, and I find it to be very different than other rods I have tried. It is a composite blank, but slower than let's say a Lami triflex.

The top half is flexible but most of the action comes from the middle to bottom of the top half vs. the tip. There is a lot of flex all the way down the butt, and the tip is not exactly soft. I don't know how much of a backbone this rod has, and would not feel comfortable using it as a jetty stick. Seems more like a bomber/red fin and pencil popping rod. The top half is a bit heavy too. It certainly loads well, but feels kinda cumbersome.

I've only fished with it about 3 times, and never caught any fish with it so I don't know how it really performs, especially on larger fish. It is my smallest and lightest duty surf rod, but I am just more used to all graphite rods that can whip out casts. Anyone have any thoughts on the performance and other characteristics of this rod, positive or negative?

Thanks for your input.