What power is Ugly Stik GX2 USSP662M

[haggard]

I have an Ugly Stik USSP662M (rarely use it but thinking about using it in salt water next season)

 

It's marked "medium action" but there's no indicatiokn as to the rod's power.

 

Feels heavy to medium-heavy.

 

I can't find the answer in their specs or anywhere else.

 

Anyone know?

 

[tholmes]

There are no hard and fast guidelines re: rod ratings. One manufacturer's "medium" might not be the same as other manufacturers. In my (somewhat limited) experience, Ugly Stiks generally fish a little heavier than other maker's rods of the same rating.

Don't put too much stock in what it says on the rod, go by how it feels to you.

 

Tom

[Steveo-1969]

On the Ugly Stik website the rod POWER for this model is listed as "Medium".  Interesting that the website correctly identifies Medium as the rod's power, but on the rod label itself says Medium action.

 

I'm going to guess this is because most fisherman incorrectly call a rod's power the action instead.  I've heard it even from pros and tv show hosts, and I did it myself until I learned there was a difference between "power" and "action".

[fishballer06]

6 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

On the Ugly Stik website the rod POWER for this model is listed as "Medium".  Interesting that the website correctly identifies Medium as the rod's power, but on the rod label itself says Medium action.

 

I'm going to guess this is because most fisherman incorrectly call a rod's power the action instead.  I've heard it even from pros and tv show hosts, and I did it myself until I learned there was a difference between "power" and "action".

Ugly Sticks are a glass rod, hence the medium (slower) action.

[tholmes]

10 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

On the Ugly Stik website the rod POWER for this model is listed as "Medium".  Interesting that the website correctly identifies Medium as the rod's power, but on the rod label itself says Medium action.

 

I'm going to guess this is because most fisherman incorrectly call a rod's power the action instead.  I've heard it even from pros and tv show hosts, and I did it myself until I learned there was a difference between "power" and "action".

Too add to the confusion, Shakespeare doesn't put a reccommended lure weight on the Ugly Stiks, just a line weight. 

I have a 7' Ugly Stik casting rod that's labeled "medium" but it fishes more like a medium heavy with moderate to slow action.

 

Tom

[Crankin4Bass]

Here are the specs for that rod from the Ugly Stick website:

 

• MODEL # USSP662M

   

  QTY:

  $39.95
  VIEW LARGER

  TECHNIQUE

  Spinning

  ROD LENGTH

  6'6"

  ROD POWER

  Medium

  NUMBER OF PIECES

  2

  LURE RATING

  1/8-5/8

  More Specifications

  LINE RATING

  6-15

  ROD HANDLE MATERIAL

  EVA

  ROD BLANK MATERIAL

  Ugly Tech Construction

  GUIDES INCLUDING TIP

  6

  ROD HANDLE TYPE

  D

[haggard]

Thanks all. I think I had actually seen the "Rod power: Medium" on the manufacturer's site once, then figured they made an error and it should have read "Rod action" because action is what's on the label on the rod itself.

 

This was the first rod I ever bought (with a $30 Sienna 2500 reel) because the combo was cheap (wasn't sure I'd get into fishing... wow was I wrong) and it was described as a workhorse, sounded good to me. I don't think I've ever caught a fish on it, maybe because I rarely use it. Just feels big, heavy and clunky.

I guess it's time to take it out and start using it for a change and see what techniques it works best with.

[Steveo-1969]

2 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

Ugly Sticks are a glass rod, hence the medium (slower) action.

This is the GX2 model which is a combination of graphite and fiberglass. I think when you read "Medium Action" on an Ugly Stik (or other low cost rod) it really means "Medium Power".  My fiance has a cheap Quantum IM6 graphite spinning rod that also says "Medium Action" on the label.

[Boomstick]

The power rating of that rod is simply medium, but they do not give the action ratings although I would say it's moderate action. The GX2s seem to be a bit on the heavier side however, so the medium is closer to medium heavy where the medium heavy is closer to heavy.

 

They're not the worst cranking sticks due to their slower action. I have caught a couple of smaller fish on a small swimbait on them before as well, although they're much more suitable for treble hooks. They're not a bad rod to keep in your trunk if you're out of town and happen to find a lake as they're cheap and you won't break it.

[haggard]

59 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

The power rating of that rod is simply medium, but they do not give the action ratings although I would say it's moderate action. The GX2s seem to be a bit on the heavier side however, so the medium is closer to medium heavy where the medium heavy is closer to heavy.

 

They're not the worst cranking sticks due to their slower action. I have caught a couple of smaller fish on a small swimbait on them before as well, although they're much more suitable for treble hooks. They're not a bad rod to keep in your trunk if you're out of town and happen to find a lake as they're cheap and you won't break it.

This all sounds right on, based on how the rod handles. Yes, cheap and durable, it will likely be the one I leave in the truck or at camp. I think it will also become my inshore swimbait combo, as it's rugged enough that I don't mind it getting exposed to elements, and moderate action with medium heavyish power with the salt rated cheap reel (Sienna) seems perfect for the application (inshore striper aound the tidal river). 

[Boomstick]

37 minutes ago, haggard said:

This all sounds right on, based on how the rod handles. Yes, cheap and durable, it will likely be the one I leave in the truck or at camp. I think it will also become my inshore swimbait combo, as it's rugged enough that I don't mind it getting exposed to elements, and moderate action with medium heavyish power with the salt rated cheap reel (Sienna) seems perfect for the application (inshore striper aound the tidal river). 

It's also a great combo if you ever fish for channel catfish and small blues, although the medium heavy is usually preferred, but the medium works. I got one for my son with the intent to target channel cats and bass and learn on. He will get something better for bass this year but can use that for cats and cranks.