Walker Tournament Twist Downrigger Rods

[srj]

A free rod and cannonball came with the Walker downriggers I ordered. The rods are also branded as Walkers--Walker Chinook Tournament Twist. The "Twist" is the guide placement on the bottom section (4 guides) as the guides are not placed straight but are offset in such a way that the last guide toward the tip section is about 180 degrees from the stripper guide. The guides on the tip section are all straight. It looks really weird but I'm sure it serves a purpose. Does anyone have any experience with these? One of them arrived with the top of the butt section fractured so I'm rather leery.
Thanks for any help.