I have a 6'6" MH/MF rod, What should I buy next?

[Devon B.]

I have a 6'6" Ugly Stik GX2 it is a MH but doesnt say action on the rod, if I had to guess I'd say its a moderate fast, it has 40# braid. I want to buy another rod but I don't know what to get that would be super versatile but not do the same stuff as the one I have. And what line would be best for my needs. Thanks!

p.s. I also have a M spinning rod for drop shots and weightless soft plastics.

[Kyhokie]

I’m not sure what your needs are, but I find that a medium heavy fast action, 7’-7’3” rod it’s just about as versatile as you could ever get. 

[casts_by_fly]

2 minutes ago, Kyhokie said:

I’m not sure what your needs are, but I find that a medium heavy fast action, 7’-7’3” rod it’s just about as versatile as you could ever get. 

what he said. I find ugly sticks to be pretty soft in overall action.  Good for moving baits and trebles.  A true fast action in either MH OR H (depending on the specific rod and your needs) for bottom contact and other single hook work is pretty necessary for me. Something around 7’-7’4” is about right. 

[Devon B.]

Ok thanks! Would about 15 lb or 17 lb fluorocarbon be good line for a general purpose rod since I have braid on the Ugly Stik?

[PhishLI]

33 minutes ago, Devon B. said:

Ok thanks! Would about 15 lb or 17 lb fluorocarbon be good line for a general purpose rod

Depends on your waters. Heavy weeds, or generally clear of them? If you want to get a very good standard MH rod for little $, take a look at the Daiwa Aird-X 7'3" MH for $54.99. You'll really like it.

Daiwa Aird X Casting Rods - Tackle Warehouse

[Devon B.]

Ok thanks! Unfortunately I cannot buy anything right now, I just figured out the gears in my steelhead reel are grinding, I need to return it and buy a better one so that will take a good chunk of the money I was going to use on a second bass rod.

[casts_by_fly]

10 hours ago, Devon B. said:

Ok thanks! Would about 15 lb or 17 lb fluorocarbon be good line for a general purpose rod since I have braid on the Ugly Stik?

 

For subsurface sure.  Depends on your cover but for the most part you're in the ballpark.  I fish 14 and 17 mono as my stock lines since I'm apt to throw a topwater on just about any rod and I prefer the suppleness of mono to the stiffer fluoro.

 

10 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Depends on your waters. Heavy weeds, or generally clear of them? If you want to get a very good standard MH rod for little $, take a look at the Daiwa Aird-X 7'3" MH for $54.99. You'll really like it.

Daiwa Aird X Casting Rods - Tackle Warehouse

 

I'll second this.  I handled one in an academy and they definitely punch above their weight at that price point.  If they were $100 it would still be a good rod and value (though with more competition at that price point)

[Boomstick]

18 hours ago, Devon B. said:

Ok thanks! Would about 15 lb or 17 lb fluorocarbon be good line for a general purpose rod since I have braid on the Ugly Stik?

If you go with a MH/fast rod and want to run braid on one, I would be more inclined to throw braid on that rod and use 12# or 15# mono or fluorcarbon with the ugly stick. Of course, a lot of it depends on your waters and preferences too.

 

My personal preference would be 15# fluorocarbon on the MH/F and 12# mono on the ugly stick - since it's more likely you'll use that for topwaters too. Where I live, we have a lot of weeds but not a whole lot of super thick weeds so I only run braid on my frogging rod, flipping stick and spinning reels.