Anyone had problems with Shakespeare Agility Rod??

I had recently bought a Shakespeare Agility 9' 10wt to get into pike fly fishing. I didn't want to spend that much on something I hadn't tried yet. On the rods 5th trip out (5 fish to 8lb later), I took the fly from the keeper ring, pulled to gain some line and the tip snapped (loudly) just above the join on the first section! I have to point out that the leader was fully out of the end ring and the drag was at a min on the reel - has anyone else experienced this with the agility?????? I've never had a fly rod do this to me in 29 years!