Ugly Stick and Lews American Hero

[Brendan Roll]

Has anyone here ever used Shakespeare's Ugly Sticks or Lew's American Hero Spinning Rod? I know that they are a bit on the cheaper side but I am wondering if they are any good. If you have used any of those rods please let me know how your experience went down with them.

Thanks

[MN Fisher]

I've had my UL reel on an Ugly Stick for years - never let me down

I've also got one of my medium spinners on an Ugly Stick - new purchase last spring. The power and action were just fine.

 

If I need to replace the rod on my old baitcaster or my other spinners, Ugly Stick is one I'll look at. Being on a fixed income, my budget doesn't allow expensive rods/reels.

[Brendan Roll]

23 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I've had my UL reel on an Ugly Stick for years - never let me down

I've also got one of my medium spinners on an Ugly Stick - new purchase last spring. The power and action were just fine.

What Ugly Stick did you just buy? It seems like they just came out with a few different models. I'm glad to hear that they still hold to their quality. My dad had one forever ago, so thats why I considered  getting him one.

Thanks for the info!

[MN Fisher]

I've got my Trion 30 mounted on a GX-2, 6' medium/fast.

 

This is my drop-shot, in-line spinner, small crankbait combo.

[kenmitch]

Nothing wrong with Ugly Stiks. Most likely they've caught more fish than any other rod line.

[KeyWestJoe]

I got into Ugly Stiks originally because of their price, and their quality feel before even using one.  Been buying GX2's ever since!

 

But from what I've heard they're not what they were years ago.  People complain about the guides being cheap and wearing out quicker than the original GX2's.  I have to admit that mine do show grooves in the first guide after only a season of use.  Thats with mostly 10lb mono line and a thousand casts.  But for the price, well...

They can be on the heavy side though... I wish they were lighter.

 

I use Med\H. Fast rods.  I have a few 6.6' Ugly Stiks and a few 7.0'.  The 7.0' rods (both casting and spinning) have amazing sensitivity.  I've never broken a GX2, and I beat the crap out of my gear.  I'm really hard on my gear and they've held up great.

[Joshua van Wyk]

I caught a 30 lb blue cat on a 6'6 ugly stik last year,  ugly stiks are almost invincible! 

[Darren.]

Sure! I've used 'em in the past. The Elite models, but I haven't used

them in a long while. They are a bit on the heavy side for my liking.

[Brendan Roll]

1 hour ago, KeyWestJoe said:

I got into Ugly Stiks originally because of their price, and their quality feel before even using one.  Been buying GX2's ever since!

 

But from what I've heard they're not what they were years ago.  People complain about the guides being cheap and wearing out quicker than the original GX2's.  I have to admit that mine do show grooves in the first guide after only a season of use.  Thats with mostly 10lb mono line and a thousand casts.  But for the price, well...

They can be on the heavy side though... I wish they were lighter.

That's perfect! The rod would be for my dad and he isn't much of an avid fisherman. He is careful with his tools so I don't think that he would have much of a problem. Thank you all for the reviews.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Sure! I've used 'em in the past. The Elite models, but I haven't used

them in a long while. They are a bit on the heavy side for my liking.

I haven't noticed the heaviness in either of my 2 - 5' UL/XF for my ultralight rig and 6' M/F for my lighter crankbaits/spinners/whatever. Of course two of my other rods are old (20+ years) so I had nothing to compare the weight with.

 

But I just hand-weighed my 6'M/F Ugly Stick compared to my 6'6 ML/F Avocet rod and the Avocet was noticeably lighter. I'll check again when my 7' H/F Aird-X arrives.

[Darren.]

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I haven't noticed the heaviness in either of my 2 - 5' UL/XF for my ultralight rig and 6' M/F for my lighter crankbaits/spinners/whatever. Of course two of my other rods are old (20+ years) so I had nothing to compare the weight with.

 

But I just hand-weighed my 6'M/F Ugly Stick compared to my 6'6 ML/F Avocet rod and the Avocet was noticeably lighter. I'll check again when my 7' H/F Aird-X arrives.

When I bought my first BPS Carbonlight, all comparisons went out the 

window  . So light, floated in my hands. Paired with a preferred 1000

size spinning reel, pure joy. For the most part. Heaviness, tip-light/heavy

is in the hand of the holder, I'd suggest. I know people who use (and love)

rods that to me feel like I'm holding a stick with a 5 lb weight on the tip,

LOL. I hate tip-heavy. My elbows groan and cry out!

 

Often will pick an Ugly Stik up at local BPS just to feel it in the hands.

Not sure I'll buy another, but plenty of respect for the brand. My son who

fishes a lot of saltwater uses an Inshore Select (old black model) and loves

it. Solid rod.

 

My fav these days is my modified 6' ML St. Croix Premier (down to 5'9").

A stock 5'9" Shimano Compre (no longer made), and I've mod'd my

Carbonlights from 6'6" down to 6'3" (in the butt end).