I like my convergance and my one son uses it now and yes it still catches fish. It however does not feel as good in my hand as the IM8 especially when fishing all day long. It's not an ego thing, too much of that going on. If one can afford the best than get it. Does more money equal best? Not always, my setup is by no means ego and it gets the job done. I've thought of getting a more expensive setup but like you I catch fish and can't rationalize spending thousands on a rod and reel. If I had more disposable income..maybe but I'd rather spend it on other things. Now as for a spinning reel to pin, for me CP hands down. Used a spinning reel when I started but it now feels all kind of wrong when drifting...Whatever works
Definitely different stroke for different folks. For me, I got very accostomed to the current set up. I see no need to change, especially when there are days I'm outfishing others who are centerpinning. And honestly, there are those days the centerpins outfish me. That's just the way it is. I'm just happy with what I have and gained confidence on.
When I mentioned "ego" rods, I mean those that are exponentially more expensive yet offering little material difference. A lot of times, it is merely gains in esthetics with custom parts and a luxury name brand, or maybe because it is handmade. For me, I don't need any of it. It's always function before fashion. I don't need to "look good doing it". Catching fish makes you look good immediately.
If I have to choose between a $800 rod upgrade vs. a trip to the Peruvian Amazon...well, you know how I've chosen. And here I am still catching fish with a 15 year old Convergence, with all its scratches, slightly bend guides and cracking cork grip (they are all battle scars and memories)...or a $70 1998 Pflueger Trion GX-7 combo with an inch off the tip and repaired, and the Trion reel that is just now getting a slightly jerky drag despite how much I tried to rebuild that reel (which BTW, landed one of the Channel Catfish from Manitoba on 8lb test and 5lb leader and those 14-18 inch walleye). I have a brand new Shimano Clarus at home that is still kept in wraps that will likely be kept in wraps until the Trion rod poops.