I think the value in having all all your rods from the same manufacturer is being able to move from rod to rod flawlessly and to order additional rods with confidence. I was always a Loomis/Croix guy until I bought my first Dobyns rod. Now, the majority of my rods are Dobyns and I feel very confident ordering a new rod from them especially a spinning rod. I still have a Croix Bass Tournament rod for chatterbaits and a couple GLX rods for pitching jigs and plastics but I definitely like the feel of going to the same brand of rod but of a different model.

With all that said, I don't think the difference between all of these high-end rod brands are going to result in a significant difference in fish caught. I have no doubt that that ALX or Kistler makes a great rod. I too have heard great things about the Shimano Exprides and would look at those if I were buying a full arsenal.