I spent 80 bucks on a medium light Shimano Convergence last summer and have caught everything from 6" trout to 40" pike on it. Very sensitive tip but when it loads up I was able to turn 10+ pound pike with it and net them in close.
I have video of the rod in action, if you're curious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGSZTcoz0Uc&t=33s
Skip to the 5 minute mark to see the Convergence perform against a ~10 pound pike. It is full loaded and close its limit but we manage OK. I was using 15 pound braid and a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader.
x2 on the advice to not "high tip" the fish, even the best made rod will snap if you abuse it in such a way, especially with braided line which has no forgiveness.