Why not go all the way back to the future with cane?

 Sounds like an old problem that will keep cropping up. I got an old butterworth rod re done, and an im6 Diawa the wife gove me in the romancing days re done, and was told - and later proved - that better rods are around and are well priced. Not too disappointed but do wish I had left the past in the past wher the rods made their mark. Some times I feel a little let down with them.   

Good luck whatever u decide.

Mate,  if youre asking if  the old rod will still catch fish... of course it will. Modern rods can just make it a little easier on the angler and maybe a little quicker to subdue the fish you are fighting. 

Some fishos seem to think a $ million dollar rod and reel setup will make them less of a wanker... I think the opposite.

Fishing is supposed to be about the catching fish ...and the fish dont know what brand of rod/reels you are using. There are probably young guys out there that think they are not catching fish because they dont have the money to buy the gear, what a load of rubbish. Expensive rods and reels are lovely to use but are way over engineered for what they are doing for most applications.

Heres am interesting concept for someone, buy a handfull of cheapies and bring  them out one day in the middle of a hot Sambo session ..then see who the best angler is !!!! Could even have a comp with everyone using the same cheapy gear ....now that would be fun.  

I had my old favorite Livefibre 20kg PNG Bass rod rebuilt mainly for sentimental reasons, cost me $300.

I could have brought a brand new one for that.

I have a heap of old butterworth and snyder blanks.  If it was a crap rod back in the day then getting it redone will still be a crap rod.  I do however have a few old rods that i would not part with for the world and would rather use than newer versions. Its the same with a new blank also, some feel crap to me and some are great, although more and more these days are great.  If you loved your sportex (still never had a go with one of these) then definaltely get it done up, you might find like me an older heavier reel balances it out better.  My 850ss is AWOL atm and the light reel just does not feel right or cast right on and older blank.

I still regularly use my beach rods, all Butterworths, an 8144, ,7132 and a 9144, the only problem is having enough muscle to out cast a lot of the young guns who think that because I'm an old bugger they can beat me---don't thinks so!!!!