Jigs and plastics on Ugly Stiks

[jwo1124]

I'm a 21 year old who loves to fish no matter what species it is. I'm not a die hard bass fisherman who only fishes bass. I enjoy catching trout and salmon also. I also like casting into the big blue after some striped bass. I don;t see the need to go out and buy specialized gear. I have always found an ugly stik to get the job done with most of the fishing applications I do. I started off shiner fishing for bass, but now I use lures more than live bait. I have found that with most lure the ugly stik will preform well, like when I use spinners, spoons, cranks, jerkbaits, or really any horizontal presentation. When I use it for soft plastics though, I feel the soft tip makes it hard to stay in contact with the bait. I don;t think this really effects the fishing of the lures, except in my head, because Ugly Stiks do have good sensitivity when it comes to bite detection, at least as far as i'm concerened. I couldn;t really tell if I missed a fish's light bite because of lack of sensitivity anyway...

My question is, any of you guys use jigs and soft plastic applications on Ugly's and find that the soft action of the tip doesn't get in the way of fishing?

[jwo1124]

I sent that too soon...I feel that the soft tip would help pick up any light bites since even the softest tap would cause the soft tip to move sending vibrations down the rod, into my hand, letting me know I had a fish biting. Then again, I have notcied that when using uglies I seem to look contact with the lure (which I can feel when fishing the same lure on a seperate rod) in other words can't feel the virbation of the lure, so maybe this is due to lack of sensitivity....I'm confused

[roadwarrior]

A FIRM tip is MANDATORY for soft plastics and jigs. The hook-set must DRIVE the hook into the fish, not push it in, which is the case with soft tips. Soft tips and/ or Moderate Action is preferred for treble hooks and moving lures (crankbaits, topwater and jerkbaits), but not for most single hook presentations.

Also, although you may think the Ugly Stick has all the sensitivity you need, that is NOT the case.

Almost any other rod would be at least 100% better.

[David P]

I started out fishing Ugly Sticks, that was the first rod I used, and I'll tell you now, you miss out on a LOT fishing with them.

The sensitivity of other rods over the ugly stick is a night and day difference. Not to mention, the hook up rate sense I switched is also night and day.

If you really want to start bass fishing, you don't have to spend too much to get a BIG step up from an ugly stick. I still have my ugly stick, but I use it for the rare occasion of fishing for other species when I bait fish.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Ugly sticks definitely have their niche with certain anglers at certain levels with certain preoccupations of shutting rods in doors.

I can tell just by the description that you have passed that level and are ready for a rod like RW describes.  The time has come,........"Oh Mooooonkey......come and get him"

[Raul]

I sent that too soon...I feel that the soft tip would help pick up any light bites since even the softest tap would cause the soft tip to move sending vibrations down the rod, into my hand, letting me know I had a fish biting. Then again, I have notcied that when using uglies I seem to look contact with the lure (which I can feel when fishing the same lure on a seperate rod) in other words can't feel the virbation of the lure, so maybe this is due to lack of sensitivity....I'm confused

Sensitivity in a rod my young apprentice does not depend on the softness or stiffness of the tip, it depends on the quality of the materials used to build the rod, direction of the graphite fibers, density of graphite fibers, bonding resin/graphite fiber ratio, wall thickness.

Ugly Sticks can hardly qualify in any category as a prime class product, it doesn 't mean they are bad, it means that they are far from being a top notch rod. They do have a place speacially if you are in a tight budget and can 't afford something better. So to answer your question, nope, I wouldn 't fish jigs and soft plastics with them, for trolling they would be a better performer than a good quality rod for other purposes, if you hang up while trolling they are not going to break.

[Long Mike]

I got back into fishing about a year ago after a 25 year hiatus.  In my ignorance, the first rod I bought was an Ugly Stick.  I caught some bass with it fishing plastics.  Then I discovered this site and started asking questions just like you.  One of the guys who responded advised me to give or throw the rod away, and suggested I buy a $350 G. Loomis rod.  I can't afford a rod of the caliber, so I set my sights a little lower and bought myself a $125 St. Croix.  The difference in the sensitivity is like night and day.  I can't even imagine what a $300 rod would feel like.

[Micro]

I can't even imagine what a $300 rod would feel like.

Probably a whole lot like a $125 rod.  

[Taliesin]

Ugly Stiks?

I would have to say that I am a fan of them as I currently have 9 of them (from 4.5' to 15'). They do have their place.

However, jigs and plastics aren't that place. Ugly Stiks do not have a fast or very fast action, and that's what you need for those jigs and plastics (and other slow lures). I do still use an Ugly Stik for pretty much everything else (especially catfishing).

I haven't really had many complaints about Ugly Stik sensitivity. When I can feel a 3" bluegill twitching on a 12' Heavy action rod, it's sensitive enough for my catfishing.  

I just picked up a G. Loomis for my jigs and plastics. I've only been able to use it once, so I don't have a firm opinion about it's sensitivity yet. I think it's more sensitive, but still unsure if it was worth it ($200 vs. $60 for the Ugly Stik Pro Lite I was using). It's definately lighter, so on a marathon fishing trip it will save some fatigue.

[flechero]

I can't even imagine what a $300 rod would feel like.

Probably a whole lot like a $125 rod.

Really?  You actually believe that?  Wow.

[Ghetto_Basser]

I bought one Ugly Stick because of the commercials several years ago. It was a terrible rod with regards to sensitivity. Yes durable but not sensitive. Plus IMO I would spend a couple of extra bucks on a good plastic rod.

[senile1]

I got hit with an ugly stick a few times, or so they tell me.  

Move up from the Ugly Stick.  You won't be sorry.

[BassHunter69]

speaking of that monkey  ;D im hoping i'll have some help with getting a rod that can handle a bait caster that has power pro 30 lb test cuz i took that spinning rod off my ugly stik and put the bait caster on it . oh the spinning rods on a berkley stinger now so i can fish plastics,and jigs.  

Ugly sticks definitely have their niche with certain anglers at certain levels with certain preoccupations of shutting rods in doors.

I can tell just by the description that you have passed that level and are ready for a rod like RW describes. The time has come,........"Oh Mooooonkey......come and get him"

[FishTank]

I owned an Ugly Stick years ago and my older brother has it now.  Neither one of us care for it but it can catch fish.  We each have used it for catfish and bluegill but it is not for bass and especially not for soft plastic.  I would pick up a Bass Pro Shop Tourney Special before I would buy an Ugly Stick.  

Like others suggested it sounds like it's time to take a step up to a better more sensitive rod.  There are several out there that might work but as long as it is a fast action and is either a medium or medium heavy rod in the 6'6" to 7' range, it should work.  All Star, Shimano, and St. Croix all make rods that should be a big step up from the Ugly Stick without breaking the bank.

[Micro]

I can't even imagine what a $300 rod would feel like.

Probably a whole lot like a $125 rod.

Really? You actually believe that? Wow.

Sure do.  

I've never seen a $300 rod with so much more sensitivity over some $125 rods that it was really worth that extra $175.  

[BassHunter69]

if you read my post right you'll see im using the stinger for plastics and jigs i was thinking of using the ugly stik with my shakespere sigma bait casting reel for rat l traps, and cranks. i know theres better rods out there but im a guy on s.s.i cant afford another rod so im faced with not fishing or using what i got

[Raul]

That would be an excellent choice, using your Ugly Stick for cranks, crank rods don 't have to be that sensitive and since the Ugly is quite forgiving it beheves more like a true crankbait rod.

[BassHunter69]

thank you raul most have told me differnt but i figure that stik can be used in some ways

That would be an excellent choice, using your Ugly Stick for cranks, crank rods don 't have to be that sensitive and since the Ugly is quite forgiving it beheves more like a true crankbait rod.

[=Matt 5.0=]

An ugly stick is a poor choice for a jig rod. Just speaking from experience...

[jwo1124]

thanks guys, kinda figured I was gonna get the responses that I did. I don't care too much for the ugly stiks that much anymore. Being a college student on a tight budget is tough, especially when you'r a fisherman and you gotta feed the bait monkey.

I am however starting to wait tables now at the restataunt I work at, so I should start making a good amount of more money per week. Gotta put the monkey on a diet though cuz I need to save up for a boat this spring.