Ugly Stick

[LMB KING]

Nobody buys rods with the intent to beat them up. Sometimes it just happens, depending on how you fish.  Sometimes you gotta blaze a trail to get to a good spot.  I'm not gonna bring a super nice bass rod with me, if I'm bushwhacking my way through timber or tall grass to get to some fish.  There's also some places I've bank fished that have a steep dropoff, rather than a nice graded bank and I invariably end up lifting fish out of the water with my rod.  When I think about my fishing rods, I think of them like golf clubs.  Each of them has a fairly specific purpose and Ugly Stiks are what you want to use when you're playing though the rough.

Good point!!! 

[Montanaro]

I'm not worried about breaking any of my rods in tall grass...

The gimmick is how they won't break. That says nothing of their fishing qualities. They market you a fishing item by how durable they are...not about how innovative or useful they are in the actual task they were built for.

Like buying a fridge with dent resistant technology but can't keep food cold...

Ugly sticks being around decades has nothing to do with it. Gimmicks divert or attraction attention. That's exactly what is going on. If you want to spend your money on mass produced noodles then more power to you.

[EvanT123]

I would say almost any graphite rod would be better especially if the person is going to be dragging hoping feel type baits. If the person is going to be using mostly moving baits have at it. I used an ugly stick for almost 10 years never knew anything different and caught fish t rigging with it. I don't know how many I missed but can anyone really say that?

All my fishing buddy uses is ugly sticks and he does just fine. He likes them because he knows he bangs his stuff around. Today he tried to convince me to strap my custom croixs to the top of my car roof and that's where I had to draw a line lol.

[jtharris3]

"PROVEN" is not even a thing LOL. Proven is an ADJECTIVE.. Adjectives can't be things.. Proven cant possibly be a thing LMB ANGLER.

 

Oh ****! Here come the grammar police!!

[crazyjoeclemens]

I'm not worried about breaking any of my rods in tall grass...

The gimmick is how they won't break. That says nothing of their fishing qualities. They market you a fishing item by how durable they are...not about how innovative or useful they are in the actual task they were built for.

Like buying a fridge with dent resistant technology but can't keep food cold...

Ugly sticks being around decades has nothing to do with it. Gimmicks divert or attraction attention. That's exactly what is going on. If you want to spend your money on mass produced noodles then more power to you.

There's only one flaw in your logic. You CAN catch fish on an ugly stik. Making a durable product is not a gimmick. If you can't catch a fish on an ugly stick, you probably can't catch one on a $300 St. Croix, either.

[OroBass]

I love my gx2.

[Hyrule Bass]

I prefer a decent graphite rod for bass fishing, even for a starter rod. Ugly Sticks make ok crankbait rods, but are more suited for bait fishing and clumsy people.

the thing is, Ugly Stiks make good all around rods, ive used them for nearly every popular technique using artificials and have caught fish too, and i am far from clumsy. try putting some thought in your post before you start slinging around insults and generalizations.

 

 

So if you mistreat an expensive rod it's more likely to break? That's good logic...

High end rods are every bit as durable, under normal conditions. If you're buying rods just to beat them up, an ugly stik may be the best route. If you buy a nice rod to fish with, it can last forever.

 

high end rods are not every bit as durable as ugly stiks. fact is, the expensive rods are more likely to break. you never see a thread saying "i broke my ugly stik" but you see plenty saying "i broke my expensive rod and it ruined my day of fishing"

 

 

Ugly sticks are good for people who are beginning to learn how to fish.

theyre also good for people who already know how to fish. people constantly talk about wanting a challenge is why the use artificial only baits, and how tricking the bass is a challenge. yet the same people are also crying about sensitivity in rods and the high dollar ones giving them an advantage and such...thought they wanted a challenge? of course, i subscribe that sensitivity is more in your hands than the rod or line, sure some materials are better conductors, but if you cant feel with your hands what does it matter how good something conducts?

 

 

There's only one flaw in your logic. You CAN catch fish on an ugly stik. Making a durable product is not a gimmick. If you can't catch a fish on an ugly stick, you probably can't catch one on a $300 St. Croix, either.

right on dude. i think its quite absurd to call an Ugly Stik a gimmick rod because it boasts durability. if that was even remotely true that its a gimmick rod, then i can just as fairly and rightly call any rod that boasts sensitivity or being light in weight a gimmick too...

 

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i have no problems catching fish on my ugly stiks. its a fine product at a reasonable price point. it may not be the best rod in the world, but its not nearly as bad as some here make it out to be. some of you gave fair assessments, but others are just trashing it with no real logic behind it...

[Tywithay]

the thing is, Ugly Stiks make good all around rods, ive used them for nearly every popular technique using artificials and have caught fish too, and i am far from clumsy. try putting some thought in your post before you start slinging around insults and generalizations.

 

 

 

high end rods are not every bit as durable as ugly stiks. fact is, the expensive rods are more likely to break. you never see a thread saying "i broke my ugly stik" but you see plenty saying "i broke my expensive rod and it ruined my day of fishing"

 

I wasn't insulting anyone. If you want to take things out of context and look at it as an insult, then by all means; that's up to you. I never said they couldn't be used for other techniques, or that everyone that buys one is clumsy, or anything of that nature. I just said they're better suited for bait fishing and clumsy people. Maybe "clumsy" makes some folks get a little defensive or something, perhaps I should have just said "people that are unneccesarily hard on their gear." You can use an ugly stik, or any rod, for any technique you want. It doesn't mean it's the best tool for it, or even that it's good for it, but you can catch fish with a string tied to just about anything.

 

I worked for a tackle shop for 6.5 years and I assure you that Ugly Stiks were returned just as often as our more expensive rods, for defects. Constantly had eyes popping out and handles cracking or coming loose. You'd be hard pressed to shatter the blank, but that's because it's a rubber band. High end rods aren't more likely to break, they're not "likely" to break at all. Yes they CAN be broken, but that's not the norm. Ugly Stiks are no more durable than a high end rod, if both are properly cared for. Both should last you a long time. I have graphite rods from the early 90's that have caught thousands of fish and never had an eye pop out or anything, but that's because I take care of my stuff.

[Boomer_bassin]

I'm really tempted to grab a gx2

[crazyjoeclemens]

I wasn't insulting anyone. If you want to take things out of context and look at it as an insult, then by all means; that's up to you. I never said they couldn't be used for other techniques, or that everyone that buys one is clumsy, or anything of that nature. I just said they're better suited for bait fishing and clumsy people. Maybe "clumsy" makes some folks get a little defensive or something, perhaps I should have just said "people that are unneccesarily hard on their gear." You can use an ugly stik, or any rod, for any technique you want. It doesn't mean it's the best tool for it, or even that it's good for it, but you can catch fish with a string tied to just about anything.

 

I worked for a tackle shop for 6.5 years and I assure you that Ugly Stiks were returned just as often as our more expensive rods, for defects. Constantly had eyes popping out and handles cracking or coming loose. You'd be hard pressed to shatter the blank, but that's because it's a rubber band. High end rods aren't more likely to break, they're not "likely" to break at all. Yes they CAN be broken, but that's not the norm. Ugly Stiks are no more durable than a high end rod, if both are properly cared for. Both should last you a long time. I have graphite rods from the early 90's that have caught thousands of fish and never had an eye pop out or anything, but that's because I take care of my stuff.

We're not talking about manufacturer defects here. That is a separate issue and has absolutely nothing to do with product durability. We're talking about fishing rods that don't cost a lot of money and Can take the abuse that's considered outside the realm of normal wear and tear. You say that you take care of your stuff. So do I. I have nicer gear that never leaves the boat. I also have several ugly sticks that go everywhere with me. That includes riding around in my truck 24-7, getting strapped to the side of a pack frame when I go hiking, as well as slipping and sliding down a muddy overgrown trail to get to a fishing hole just so I can say I'm the only one who's ever fished it. try that with your early 90s graphite rod and see how long it lasts.

[Tywithay]

We're not talking about manufacturer defects here. That is a separate issue and has absolutely nothing to do with product durability. We're talking about fishing rods that don't cost a lot of money and Can take the abuse that's considered outside the realm of normal wear and tear. You say that you take care of your stuff. So do I. I have nicer gear that never leaves the boat. I also have several ugly sticks that go everywhere with me. That includes riding around in my truck 24-7, getting strapped to the side of a pack frame when I go hiking, as well as slipping and sliding down a muddy overgrown trail to get to a fishing hole just so I can say I'm the only one who's ever fished it. try that with your early 90s graphite rod and see how long it lasts.

I use graphite rods all the time and I do the same thing. I climb down rocky banks, wade rivers, navigate deep into wooded creek beds, etc.; and have never broken a rod while doing so.

[5fishlimit]

try that with your early 90s graphite rod and see how long it lasts.

I have a Shimano Bullwhip spinning rod from the 80's that survived my pre-teen years doing everything you mentioned, and also included some sword fights with my buddy on our walks home. It was just 3 weeks ago that I found it in my father's vegetable garden being used as a tomato stake.

In the process of cleaning it up to use it again.

Will that suffice?

[timsford]

All i know is ive caught a ton of big fish on my ugly atick and no its not super sensitive but i dont know of any other rod you can go in any walmart and get for forty bucks that is sensitive either and i sure dont know of one that you can bend the tip to the butt then toss in your car and your son shut the door on it, drive to the lake and fall on it on wet rip rap, cast out and hang a 20 pound striper and horse it in. Call it gimmicky and unsensitive or whatever you want ive been using the same one for a long time and its still as strong as the day i bought it. I also own a bunch of nice super sensitive graphite rods but theres not a better rod out there for the same price as an ugly stick. Yes you can buy a cheap graphite rod for not much more but it wont take much abuse and sure isn't much more sensitive.

[LMB KING]

Ugly Stik is the worlds strongest rod. I'm glad i have the knowledge that a lot of people lack. Regardless of what people say, I will continue make investments on Ugly Stik rods because i know what that rod is capable of. Like i said before I don't let the advertisements get me. Anyone can catch fish with a $300 as well as a $40 rod. How sensitive a rod is, does not determine catching fish. The world record bass in Georgia was caught on a fiberglass rod.  

[crazyjoeclemens]

I have a Shimano Bullwhip spinning rod from the 80's that survived my pre-teen years doing everything you mentioned, and also included some sword fights with my buddy on our walks home. It was just 3 weeks ago that I found it in my father's vegetable garden being used as a tomato stake.

In the process of cleaning it up to use it again.

Will that suffice?

 

No. Pics or it didnt happen.

[Hyrule Bass]

I use graphite rods all the time and I do the same thing. I climb down rocky banks, wade rivers, navigate deep into wooded creek beds, etc.; and have never broken a rod while doing so.

 

well arent you mister special exception to the rules

 

 

I have a Shimano Bullwhip spinning rod from the 80's that survived my pre-teen years doing everything you mentioned, and also included some sword fights with my buddy on our walks home. It was just 3 weeks ago that I found it in my father's vegetable garden being used as a tomato stake.

In the process of cleaning it up to use it again.

Will that suffice?

totally unrelated, but your avatar picture is hilarious, too funny...

 

 

Ugly Stik is the worlds strongest rod. I'm glad i have the knowledge that a lot of people lack. Regardless of what people say, I will continue make investments on Ugly Stik rods because i know what that rod is capable of. Like i said before I don't let the advertisements get me. Anyone can catch fish with a $300 as well as a $40 rod. How sensitive a rod is, does not determine catching fish. The world record bass in Georgia was caught on a fiberglass rod.  

 

those claiming sensitivity to feel whats on the bottom, often neglect to mention the expensive electronics on their boat that show them the bottom structure, and much better than dragging a rig across the bottom can. also many fail to mention the majority of their fishing doesnt even involve bottom baits. its a way for someone to justify spending $300 on a rod thats really no better than a $40 ugly stik. like i said, some people here who may not like ugly stiks have given atleast a fair assessment of them in their opinions. but then you got the tackle and gear snobs who swear they cant have fun fishing a $40 rod...

[sparky241]

i just discover a brand at cabelas called copper river that i like more and more as i fish with it

[Tywithay]

those claiming sensitivity to feel whats on the bottom, often neglect to mention the expensive electronics on their boat that show them the bottom structure, and much better than dragging a rig across the bottom can. also many fail to mention the majority of their fishing doesnt even involve bottom baits. its a way for someone to justify spending $300 on a rod thats really no better than a $40 ugly stik. like i said, some people here who may not like ugly stiks have given atleast a fair assessment of them in their opinions. but then you got the tackle and gear snobs who swear they cant have fun fishing a $40 rod...

If you want to dismiss sensitivity of a rod, that's up to you. It's a fact, not an opinion, that high modulus graphite transmits vibrations better than fiberglass. It's also much lighter than fiberglass. I don't have anything more than a depth finder on my old boat, but I can still feel what the bottom feels like with some of my better rods. I use bottom baits like jigs and texas rigged plastics probably 80% of the time.

I have given my opinion on ugly stiks as a person that has used them, and still uses them. I have 4 of them, but they're solely for catfish, because that's what they excel at. You use them for other techniques, and don't justify spending more money on rods, and that's totally up to you. Nobody says you can't have fun or catch fish with an ugly stik, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the best tool for the job. Giving a fair opinion that a graphite rod (and it can be a $40 lightning rod) is a better tool for bass fishing is not an attack on ugly stiks, even though you seem to take it that way. If you've never used a high end rod, then you just dismiss people that do as tackle and gear snobs, you're just slinging insults and making generalizations, without justification.

[crazyjoeclemens]

If you want to dismiss sensitivity of a rod, that's up to you. It's a fact, not an opinion, that high modulus graphite transmits vibrations better than fiberglass. It's also much lighter than fiberglass. I don't have anything more than a depth finder on my old boat, but I can still feel what the bottom feels like with some of my better rods. I use bottom baits like jigs and texas rigged plastics probably 80% of the time.

I have given my opinion on ugly stiks as a person that has used them, and still uses them. I have 4 of them, but they're solely for catfish, because that's what they excel at. You use them for other techniques, and don't justify spending more money on rods, and that's totally up to you. Nobody says you can't have fun or catch fish with an ugly stik, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the best tool for the job. Giving a fair opinion that a graphite rod (and it can be a $40 lightning rod) is a better tool for bass fishing is not an attack on ugly stiks, even though you seem to take it that way. If you've never used a high end rod, then you just dismiss people that do as tackle and gear snobs, you're just slinging insults and making generalizations, without justification.

 

You're the one who came out of the gates saying that Ugly Stiks were for clumsy people or people who beat up their gear on purpose.  If you weren't trying to sound like a gear snob, you weren't trying very hard.  If you wanna talk about slinging insults and making generalizations, you were the first to do it.  I think we're all on the same page here (for the most part); Ugly Stiks are good durable rods that lack a bit of sensitivity.  Great for live bait applications but more like fair to average for bass.

 

I spend a bit of time on one of the archery forums, and there is a fair segment of guys on there that do look down their nose at affordable beginner gear.  Its almost like they think they had to spend $1500 on a bow to get into the sport, so you must be some kinda loser if you cant or won't spend that much on a bow - even though there are a few $500 bows on the market now that will give the big boys a run for their money.  After seeing that, I do tend to bristle when I perceive someone being a gear elitist.  I didn't mean to stir the pot here or set a negative tone in this thread.  I'd just much rather see beginners get constructive advice rather than a bunch of guys bashing what they consider a "cheap" or "inferior" product.

[NMUbassin]

Look, you either like the rod or you don't! There's nothing wrong with people like to use these rods, and there's nothing wrong with those who don't.

It's called personal preference. Some people are willing to sacrifice sensitivity in order to have a durable rod, and some people will take sensitivity over everything else.

Ugly Stiks are exactly what they market themselves to be: a durable rod for an angler on a budget. However, there is a reason why you don't see any serious tournament anglers using Ugly Stiks. Compared to other brands, even some of the same price range, they aren't very sensitive and they're heavy. Ergonomically, they have minor faults as well. However, there is nothing wrong with that. A lot of people out there could care less about these issues.

In conclusion, those of you who use higher end rods need to not look down upon those who like their Ugly Stiks. Conversely, those who use lower end gear don't need to make snide remarks about those who are willing to spend a little extra coin on their gear.

It's called personal preference. Respect it.

[Glenn]

AC Bassin nailed it.

 

And scene.