Picked Up A Nib Reel And An Ugly Stick Rod In A Trade..looking For A Little Advice

[Stlbob]

 I traded a 5 yr laptop (in great shape worth about 150 ) and a box of bulk .22lr for a a NIB Abu Garcia Revo Premier.The rod is a 7' Ugly stick M action..I have owned a few Ugly's and always liked them..I have spooled it up with 12lb Trilene transoptic line..

 

 I looked the reel up and it seems to be a good reel,what do you think will the Ugly Stick work okay with this set up,id like to thinks so..looking on CL trying to look to see what other rods are out there..Im already looking for one rod for the reel my bil got me back in Dec' 13.Is the rod too soft for a worm rod..?

[Tywithay]

An ugly stick is good for treble hook baits. A worm rod needs to be graphite. It's stiffer and transmits vibration better, so you can feel the bites. Revo Premier is a very good reel, retails for $270ish.

[Stlbob]

okay that would make sense..are there any 100 dollar or so good worm rods..? I have fished a loooong time. just recently started thinking about having one combo to do this and another combo to do that...up to lets say the last few years all rods and reels wore many different hats.

[Alpha Male]

there are a lot of options around the 100$ mark. You want to look at a 7' Medium Fast rod. Other than that its all preference. Cork vs EVA foam, brand x vs brand Z, Full handle grip vs split grip.

 

I really like St. Croix, other will say another brand.  I cant say that I would stay away from any brand.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

There are a few nice ones.

Mojo, ***, to name a couple. If possible take the reel to a store and try it on several rods and choose the one you like the best. Good luck.

[Fishes in trees]

You are in the St. Louis metro area.  Go to Pauls ( on Chippeawa I think) and see what they recommend.  Go to BPS and see what is on close out.  In St Louis, you are blessed with several good independent shops.  Here in the KC Metro area, we've really only got one - Rogers in Liberty.  Other than that we do have a Cabelas in KCK and a couple of BPS stores.  I like the independent stores because they are more likely to deal on items like rods & reels, especially if you buy a couple.  That Revo Premier wouldn't be out of place on a Loomis or upper end St. Croix.  For a more modest amount of money, look at the Fenwick AETOS or HMG jig rods.  

 

For reels, I'm a Shimano guy.  For rods, I'm all over the map with different brands.  I  have some Kistlers, older (pre-Shakespeare) All Stars, Fenwick Aetos & HMG, Shimano, Falcons Bucco.  My favorite bubba drop shot rod is an older Quantum Tour Edition 7'4" MH.   I think I have the last Black Carrot stick left.   I've had buddies that had several of those and they all broke.   Rogers in Liberty doesn't carry them anymore, mostly because of breakage issues.

It is hard to go wrong on jig rods, there are lots of good ones out there.  Buy the lightest one you can afford and your elbow will thank you later.  Anyway, that's my advice, go to Pauls and see what they've got on special right now.

[Stlbob]

buy minnows and meal worms there all the time.I always had the impression he was on the expensive side.I will call and see what he has..

[new2BC4bass]

fishusa has the Fenwick Smallmouth series within your budget.  Excellent rods.  For a little less look at the new HMG line.  The Aetos rods are super nice, but not within your budget.  The *** Black is a lot of rod for the money as long as the handle doesn't bother you.  Only bothers me if I cast one-handed.  Otherwise check out house rods at Academy Sports, Cabela's and BassProShops.

 

I've no experience with the Sellus, Convergence, Clarus or Compre.  I do have a Compre, but haven't used it much yet.  Dick's Sporting Goods has the Tec Spec Elite.  I have the older black model which sold for $20 less than the Elite now does.  I think it is a decent rod for the money.  Wouldn't be the first rod I reached for, but you can't expect a $60 rod to fish like a $200 rod.  However, I do think the Smallmouth series is right there.

 

No one mentions the Falcon Originals anymore, but I have 2 or 3 and consider them another rod worth what you pay for them.  Landed my PB on a 7' MH one.

 

The Jadewood 7' MH is at $100, Some think it is a very good rod at that proce point..

 

A possible sleeper is the Calico Jack or Hurricane rods.  Unfortunately I don't know of any place carrying them locally so I could handle one.  SirSnookalot seems to think highly of them, and he fishes every day.

 

Yup.  Lots of choices.  You just need to do a little (well, maybe a lot ) of research.

[Duckbutter100]

Fishusa also has the ST Croix Mojo's for 100. I am in your exact situation looking for a rod and cannot decide either. 

[teamdownrightnasty]

Having owned many rods in tbis price range including veritas and mojos i would get yourself a ***. Plus would look pretty sweet with that premier on it