Question about all-purpose spinning setup (Ugly Stik + Pflueger)

[DonutOwl]

Hello, I've been racking my brain about which rod and reel to go with for my first spinning setup since I was a kid.

So far, after some research, I've narrowed it down to a Pflueger President reel and a Ugly Stik (GX2 or Elite, not sure which yet).

My question is, what size Pflueger reel should I get and what length Rod should I pair it with? My initial thought was a 3000 size President (I know they run small) and a M/F 7' Ugly Stik GX2. I want this setup to be able to catch crappie, bass, and channel cats.

 

Should I get a bigger reel (3500) to pair with the Ugly Stik, or should I change the power or length of the Ugly Stik to match up with the 3000 size reel? Is the Ugly Stik Elite better than the GX2 for this application?

 

I appreciate all answers.

[Bubba 460]

 

Well first of all there really is no "all purpose" rod and reel for the species spread you mentioned. The average crappie is about 10"long, whereas a channel cat can easily go 20 pounds and much bigger. Bass average a couple ponds You're going to be over powered for one and under powered for the other with one rod. You need at least two outfits ~three would be better.

 

For the money the Pflueger President is a solid reel, I've owned about a dozen of them over the years and have no complaints with them. Pflueger all so has their own combos for about $80. The Ugly stick is a strong rod and again, for the money it's solid. I'd suggest you get a 2500 for pan fish and at least a 3500 for the bigger fish. The two combos will cost you about $160.

 

Rods ~ I'd get 6.6 for the 2500 reel and 7" for the 3500. Run 4 to 8 pound test on the 2500 and 10 to 14 on the 3500 and an extra spool with 20# braid for the cats.

 

It you're gonna cut a tree down ~ make sure you bring enough saw...

 

 

 

[DonutOwl]

Thank you for the helpful reply.

I notice for the President 2500 reel it says max mono 6 lb test, and for the 3500 reel it says max mono 10 lb test with max braid at 14lb test. I assume those are simply limitations of the spool size and going higher won't really matter except for the amount of line I'll be able to put on the reel.

 

Also, would you suggest the combo over buying the Ugly Stik and reel separately?

 

Thanks.

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, DonutOwl said:

Hello, I've been racking my brain about which rod and reel to go with for my first spinning setup since I was a kid.

So far, after some research, I've narrowed it down to a Pflueger President reel and a Ugly Stik (GX2 or Elite, not sure which yet).

My question is, what size Pflueger reel should I get and what length Rod should I pair it with? My initial thought was a 3000 size President (I know they run small) and a M/F 7' Ugly Stik GX2. I want this setup to be able to catch crappie, bass, and channel cats.

 

Should I get a bigger reel (3500) to pair with the Ugly Stik, or should I change the power or length of the Ugly Stik to match up with the 3000 size reel? Is the Ugly Stik Elite better than the GX2 for this application?

 

I appreciate all answers.

 

34 minutes ago, DonutOwl said:

Thank you for the helpful reply.

I notice for the President 2500 reel it says max mono 6 lb test, and for the 3500 reel it says max mono 10 lb test with max braid at 14lb test. I assume those are simply limitations of the spool size and going higher won't really matter except for the amount of line I'll be able to put on the reel.

 

Also, would you suggest the combo over buying the Ugly Stik and reel separately?

 

Thanks.

Pflueger's size ratings don't exactly line up with others. The 25 is about a 1000 size, the 30 about a 2500 and the 35 about a 3000 when compared to other manufacturers.

 

I'd also stay away from Ugly Sticks and go with something else. My preference would be an Aird-X, but Berkley Shock, Abu Vengence and Lews SG-1 would all be better choices than the Ugly.

 

Line ratings are just about capacity, but I wouldn't put lines with much higher test on spinning reels, line memory becomes an issue more than anything else.

 

One of my first bass rigs was a Pfleuger Trion-30 on a 6'6" Aird-X Medium rod. Served me well and I still have it for shore fishing even though I've upgraded the canoe rig to a President XT-30 on a 7' Dobyns Fury 703SF.

 

So personally - the President 30 on a Aird-X Medium power...6'6" if you're primarily fishing from shore, 7' if you're out on the water. A quality 8# mono - Berkley Trilene XL or Sufix Elite - would be the line I'd put on it.

[Bubba 460]

 

Well you sure don't need a 110 yards of line to bring in a crappie or a bass either. Never had a bass run off more then 20' of line at one time but then again I usually have enough rod for the species. Seems like every decade they find a way to make line thinner ~ 10# diameter line now days is nothing like 10# diameter 20 years ago. The advantage of  8# or 6# over 4# is that if you get hung-up you can usually pull and straighten out the hook on small jig and get it back. My buddy caught an 11 pound bass a few years ago on a crappie jig while crappie fishing ~ he uses 8# and was glade he did. I'm kind of an overkill guy anyway...

 

[DonutOwl]

22 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

Pflueger's size ratings don't exactly line up with others. The 25 is about a 1000 size, the 30 about a 2500 and the 35 about a 3000 when compared to other manufacturers.

 

I'd also stay away from Ugly Sticks and go with something else. My preference would be an Aird-X, but Berkley Shock, Abu Vengence and Lews SG-1 would all be better choices than the Ugly.

 

Line ratings are just about capacity, but I wouldn't put lines with much higher test on spinning reels, line memory becomes an issue more than anything else.

 

One of my first bass rigs was a Pfleuger Trion-30 on a 6'6" Aird-X Medium rod. Served me well and I still have it for shore fishing even though I've upgraded the canoe rig to a President XT-30 on a 7' Dobyns Fury 703SF.

 

So personally - the President 30 on a Aird-X Medium power...6'6" if you're primarily fishing from shore, 7' if you're out on the water. A quality 8# mono - Berkley Trilene XL or Sufix Elite - would be the line I'd put on it.

Thanks for the rod suggestion - I went and looked for some Aird-X medium power 6'6 rods online but they all seem to be out of stock. Closest I can find are the medium power 7' ones.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, DonutOwl said:

Thanks for the rod suggestion - I went and looked for some Aird-X medium power 6'6 rods online but they all seem to be out of stock. Closest I can find are the medium power 7' ones.

Academy has them in stock

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/daiwa-aird-x-braiding-x-66-m-spinning-rod

[DonutOwl]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Academy has them in stock

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/daiwa-aird-x-braiding-x-66-m-spinning-rod

6' ft only, at least for home delivery. They're running a nice 20% off rod+reel purchases, though.

[MN Fisher]

Funny, this is what I see.

[DonutOwl]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Funny, this is what I see.

Oh, you're right. I had to click Medium/Fast before the 6'6 would show up as available. Thanks.

[MN Fisher]

The HMG is a decent rod - I'd pick that over the Ugly Stick.

 

They have a 6'6 M/F matched with a Pres-30...right what you're looking for, for probably less than putting together a combo on your own.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I just wish they weren't out of the 25 size reels. 

You looking to set up a panfish/finesse rig?

 

Remember, the 25s are closer to a 1000 by others...my President-25 is about the same size/capacity as my Avocet RZT-1000

[new2BC4bass]

15 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You looking to set up a panfish/finesse rig?

 

Remember, the 25s are closer to a 1000 by others...my President-25 is about the same size/capacity as my Avocet RZT-1000

My error.  I didn't realize I was looking at braid capacity instead of mono.  I might have to order the 6'9" ML for my sister-in-law.  That's a hard deal to pass up.

[ironbjorn]

An Aird-X and skipping fast food once to cover the difference will make you so much happier.

[DonutOwl]

What about a Fenwick Eagle rod? I found a deal on those for $40 ($49 with shipping). they are 7' medium action 2-piece.

 

[UNC1078]

I have a fenwick eagle medium light spinning, and I hate it.  It supposedly moderate fast, but it's way too parabolic for my taste.   I would seriously give it to you for free if you are near atlanta, ga.

[NOC 1]

Honest answers? OK.

Step away from the Ugly stick. They are tough and...well...that's about it. Otherwise they are probably one of the worst of the popular rods I ever used. I saw the Abu Vengence rod suggested as well. If that is your other option, forget what I said about the Ugly Stick and take it instead...at least it's tough.

 

My suggestions are, in the order I'd look in this price range (sort of) is the Falcon HD series. It's a $150 rod for $69 and puts the others mentioned to shame.

 

The Fenwick Eagle is a surprisingly nice and sensitive rod for a cheaper rod.

 

A lot of people like the Daiwa Aird-x rod. The quality is good, But IMO like most of Daiwa's rods below the almost $200 price point, they seem too stiff and unresponsive. One exception is one of the cheapest Diawas made, the Crossfire. it's $29 rod that weirdly handles and feels better than their $100 stuff (to me).

 

I really like the feel of the Berkley Cherrywood too. It's cheap and feels great, but they can be a bit brittle.

There are others too, but this is a start. I would advise you to stay away from ABU rods period. I have owned just about every ABU rod from the $39 Vengeance through the Vigilante, the Veritas (1 and 2), the Volatile up to the $200 Villain (1 and 2) , looking for a good Abu rod. They are pretty well made and you can take them fishing, but they are all dead sticks. Probably OK for catfish or maybe even crankbaits, but don't figure on feeling much.

 

Reels, I've got about 6-8 Pflueger Presidents. They are nothing fancy, but are plenty decent at the price, but a better bet might be The Daiwa Revros for about the same cost. They are just nicer, smoother and while again, nothing fancy, they are a step up from the President IMO.

 

 

[DonutOwl]

37 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

Honest answers? OK.

Step away from the Ugly stick. They are tough and...well...that's about it. Otherwise they are probably one of the worst of the popular rods I ever used. I saw the Abu Vengence rod suggested as well. If that is your other option, forget what I said about the Ugly Stick and take it instead...at least it's tough.

 

My suggestions are, in the order I'd look in this price range (sort of) is the Falcon HD series. It's a $150 rod for $69 and puts the others mentioned to shame.

 

The Fenwick Eagle is a surprisingly nice and sensitive rod for a cheaper rod.

 

A lot of people like the Daiwa Aird-x rod. The quality is good, But IMO like most of Daiwa's rods below the almost $200 price point, they seem too stiff and unresponsive. One exception is one of the cheapest Diawas made, the Crossfire. it's $29 rod that weirdly handles and feels better than their $100 stuff (to me).

 

I really like the feel of the Berkley Cherrywood too. It's cheap and feels great, but they can be a bit brittle.

There are others too, but this is a start. I would advise you to stay away from ABU rods period. I have owned just about every ABU rod from the $39 Vengeance through the Vigilante, the Veritas (1 and 2), the Volatile up to the $200 Villain (1 and 2) , looking for a good Abu rod. They are pretty well made and you can take them fishing, but they are all dead sticks. Probably OK for catfish or maybe even crankbaits, but don't figure on feeling much.

 

Reels, I've got about 6-8 Pflueger Presidents. They are nothing fancy, but are plenty decent at the price, but a better bet might be The Daiwa Revros for about the same cost. They are just nicer, smoother and while again, nothing fancy, they are a step up from the President IMO.

 

 

Thanks for all the information. The Revros looks like a good value. What size would you recommend, and what size rod would you pair it with?

[NOC 1]

On 6/16/2021 at 8:04 PM, DonutOwl said:

Thanks for all the information. The Revros looks like a good value. What size would you recommend, and what size rod would you pair it with?

LOL. I typed a manifesto about the rods, but I'm not sure what to tell you about spinning reel size and rod matching. I have a couple of Revros, but they are both on 11' IM6 Crappie rods. I have the 2500 size and it is similar to the size of a 30 size President which I think would be good match for a MH or Med. The 25 size President is about right for a ML rod I think.

 

I guess if I had to choose for you I would probably say go for a Falcon HD 7'6 M rod. It's a bit long and it's a Moderate taper, but since you want to fish for Crappie, Bass, and Catfish with one set up, this rod will at least give you half a chance to do that. The length and Moderate taper will help the rod catch Crappie a bit better using lighter line like a 6# mono and will still haul in a 20# if you have 10lb or bigger line.

 

I would put a Revros 2500 spooled with #6 if you lean more toward Crappie and Bass, or go with a 3000 size if you are mostly fishing bass spooled with 10lb and if Catfish is your main target , go with at least a 3000 and spool at least 15lb. You really need 3 rigs to do it right though.

 

At least consider buying 2 extra spools so that you can at least have an appropriate line that you can easily switch back and forth.

 

The rod and reel should cost about $129