Beginner? Abu Garcia Orra2 S & Ugly Stik Elite

[blakebrown71]

I just started getting into bass fishing last summer after I bought a $15 Shakespeare combo to do some bobber fishing with my fiance, the I accidentally got hooked.  I bought an Abu Garcia Black Max combo from Cabela's for my beginner/budget baitcasting setup. 

 

All the luck I've had so far catching any bass has been with soft plastics, so I want to upgrade my spinning setup.  I just ordered an Abu Garcia Orra2 S30 and a 7' Ugly Stik Elite medium action rod from Cabela's, but after looking through these forums, I'm seeing a lot of hate towards the Ugly Stik Elite.  It's obviously still gonna be a major upgrade from what I've been using, but would you highly recommend I try to change the order, or is it not as big of a deal as I think?

 

I can't really spend more than $50 on the rod, and I went with the Elite because of all the reviews I read, but will it not have the sensitivity I'm hoping for for finesse fishing?  Please feel free to give your thoughts on the rod specifically and/or the pairing of the rod and reel for throwing senkos, jigs, and maybe even some light spinnerbaits.

[Darren.]

4 minutes ago, blakebrown71 said:

I just started getting into bass fishing last summer after I bought a $15 Shakespeare combo to do some bobber fishing with my fiance, the I accidentally got hooked.  I bought an Abu Garcia Black Max combo from Cabela's for my beginner/budget baitcasting setup. 

 

All the luck I've had so far catching any bass has been with soft plastics, so I want to upgrade my spinning setup.  I just ordered an Abu Garcia Orra2 S30 and a 7' Ugly Stik Elite medium action rod from Cabela's, but after looking through these forums, I'm seeing a lot of hate towards the Ugly Stik Elite.  It's obviously still gonna be a major upgrade from what I've been using, but would you highly recommend I try to change the order, or is it not as big of a deal as I think?

 

I can't really spend more than $50 on the rod, and I went with the Elite because of all the reviews I read, but will it not have the sensitivity I'm hoping for for finesse fishing?  Please feel free to give your thoughts on the rod specifically and/or the pairing of the rod and reel for throwing senkos, jigs, and maybe even some light spinnerbaits.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Look, there may be "hate" toward Ugly Sticks but don't

let that get you down! For $50 and under, there are a

number of rods that would suit your fishing.

 

One in particular would be the Berkeley Lightning Rod Shock.

They're fairly sensitive, durable, and a great value for

the money.

 

If you can pick one up and feel it side-by-side with the Elite

you may/may not feel a difference. Pick the rod that you

like and feels good in YOUR hands, balancing well with the

reel you have. If it is an Ugly Stick, then fish it well!  

[Fun4Me]

Do you live near an Academy sports? If so some of their house brand rods (H2O Express) are on clearance right now. Might be worth a look as I think they are great rods for the money, especially for the clearance price.

 

As mentioned above, the Lightning Rod Shock is a good rod as well.

[ThePolkFolk]

3 minutes ago, Darren. said:

One in particular would be the Berkeley Lightning Rod Shock.

They're fairly sensitive, durable, and a great value for

the money.

+1

Though I do not have experience with the Ugly Stik Elite so I cannot really compare them. I do have the LRS and think it is a great budget rod.

[lonnie g]

I have heard that the new lews mach speed stick is good for $70 range.  agree with the go with what feels good in your hands.

[IndianaFinesse]

Although the ugly stik is not a popular rod on these forums, that is largely because many of the members have been fishing and collecting tackle for there entire lives.  So, many of us have spent enough time fishing that many people have upgraded to insanely high end gear, making most low end tackle seem junky when compared to the $300+ rods and reels that a lot of people own.  Seriously, this is an addiction and you to will one day be spending large amounts of money on the latest and greatest, weather you need it or not. I still have an ugly stik that I use for buzzbaits and whopper ploppers, and while it is not the most sensitive stick on the planet it does its job.  If people could catch big bass fifty years ago on fiberglass and steel rods, than I think you could do just fine with an ugly stik, which is lite years ahead of what they had back then.

[georgeyew]

I personally like the Ugly Stick Elites. They feel so solid and should be able to handle most fish out there. Just go out and fish. You'll figure out what you like.

[12poundbass]

My first bait caster was a Rhino which was absolutely the worst. Then I upgraded to the Black Max, Silver Max, and the Pro Max. I have several of each. They work great for me and I've never spent more than $100 on a rod. Are these the best? No. But I can't afford to buy a rod or reel that's $200 Or more. I still catch fish and have fun and that's what its about. I could probably benefit by have expensive set ups but I'm still going to catch fish at the end of the days. There will come a day where I'll get something more expensive but for now I don't care and the fish don't either. Don't worry about the expensive stuff right now. Just practice and catch fish and most importantly have fun. The expensive stuff will come with time. 

[ohihunter2014]

cancel the order and get this. http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/rod-reel-combo-sale-2017|/pc/105625080/c/157613580/plueger-reg-president-reg-cabela-s-tourney-trail-reg-spinning-combo/2436840.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D157613580

 

I started with uglys sticks and this feels like a much better combo and fits your price range. I reviewed this combo both together and separate for weeks and finally got it last week and its nice.

[blakebrown71]

Thanks for all the input from everyone, it's much appreciated!

 

 

1 hour ago, ohihunter2014 said:

cancel the order and get this. http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/rod-reel-combo-sale-2017|/pc/105625080/c/157613580/plueger-reg-president-reg-cabela-s-tourney-trail-reg-spinning-combo/2436840.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D157613580

 

I started with uglys sticks and this feels like a much better combo and fits your price range. I reviewed this combo both together and separate for weeks and finally got it last week and its nice.

 

I also looked heavily into that combo, and the main thing that scared me away was looking up other reviews specifically for that rod.  A lot of people seemed to have issues with it breaking, which was another deal-breaker towards the Ugly Stik.  I know it's not much to most people on here, but if I'm spending $50 on a rod alone, I want to reduce any risk of it ever breaking because they're going to be rare purchases for me.  The Elite seemed to be a good compromise between durability and sensitivity.

 

I'm definitely gonna keep the President reel in mind though, it seems to be a hell of a bang for your buck.

[Choporoz]

That Pflueger/Tourney Trail combo is a tremendous deal.  I have never handled an Ugly Stik Elite, so I can't properly compare (though, I have owned (reg) Ugly Sticks in the past, which were like fishing with length of rebar.)

 

However, I bought a Tourney Trail / Pflueger President combo (7' MMF 1/4-3/4) 3 or 4 years ago and both rod and reel are as good as the day I bought them.  Fantastic deal.  The rod fishes a little heavier than listed, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. 

[ib_of_the_damned]

I can sell you a couple/few rods for $50 plus shipping. Let me look at what I have and I'll get back to you. Most likely it'll be Gen 1 Abu Garcia Vendetta's. I have a M and MH that are just sitting and not being used. Maybe even a LH casting reel I can throw in. But like I said, let me check what I have and get back to you. I have been slowly upgrading my reels and rods over the years.

[CTBassin860]

Berkley Lightning Shock.You wont be disappointed.

[Outdoor Zack]

Berkley makes a nice rod.  I have a amp that I use as a loaner/beater rod but I like taking it to ponds too.

[LCG]

I too started the same way. Bought a $20 zebco combo at Walmart to test the whole fishing thing. That was 4 years ago... 

 

I went through a few rods before knowing what techniques I preferred and what characteristics I was looking for in a rod. 

 

From experience, my opinion is to buy quality. It's cheaper in the end. If you can't afford new then look for a used rod and / or reel that has been well taken care of. 

 

Been a big fan of fenwick and most recently picked up a Pflueger president xt spinning reel that I really like. Might be a good starting point especially used. 

 

But fishing is about relaxing, learning something new, spending quality time with someone, and having fun. That doesn't require you to have top of the line equipment. It's nice if you can afford it but then again I am sure a Ferrari is nicer than my Ford

[genericname]

Daiwa Aird X Casting Rods  check this one out. for 55 bucks its solid.