Ugly Stick

[doug deike]

I'm trying to find a good rod & reel, I think i'm gonna go with the Shimano Sahara 2500 FD spinning reel, now I need a good rod..I always hear good things about the ugly stick, not sure what size to get though, whats with the different sizes?

[Stasher1]

I think it really depends on what lures you intend to use. Ugly Sticks make decent crankbait rods and they're great for catfish and panfish, but they lack the sensitivity for most bass fishing techniques.

If you tell us your price range I'm sure quite you'll get a ton of recommendations for suitable alternatives.

[aumdb487]

Ugly stick are very heavy and have a lot of bend in them. I have changed out my ugly sticks for Veritas. much lighter and more sensitive.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Here at Cabelas thier clearance deal $130 rod for $30 I know nothing about it but check it out at least see what you think.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Fishing/Rods%7C/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742080/Camo-Stix-Casting-Rods/1228643.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102769%2B4294771412%2FNe-4294771412%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742080%3FWTz_l%3DSEO%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105740280%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SEO%3Bcat105591780%3Bcat105740280%3Bcat105742080

Hmm well I did quick search and they got BEST IN SHOW at ICAST 2009 for what thats worth.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast09usacustomrods.html

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Im SORRY those are casting

Im taking a shot at one though just ordered.

[dulouz]

I got rid of my ugly sticks because they were too flimsy at the tips.

[MrsTomustang]

Doug,

Many of us have moved away from rods associated with an average weekend summer fisherman, toward the equipment associated with avid sport anglers. With that said, the Ugly Stik is a work horse and not a bad selection for many people.

Unless you take a saw to it, it is nearly indestructible and will last for years of fishing.

As to your question on sizes, I believe what you may be seeing is the spinning reel size matched with a particular ugly stik rod. Rods are denoted by length, power and action, as well as number of 'pieces'.

So depending on the type of fish you'll be looking to catch, you can gauge the rod by looking at the ugly stik combo sizes generally as follow and then figuring out what rod is matched to it....

For small panfish like crappie and blue gill, smaller spinning reels such as an 05- or 10- size

For larger species such as largemouth bass, walleye and striped bass (fresh and salt), 20- to 50-size

Inshore saltwater fishermen may use 20 - 40-size

offshore 50- 80-size range.

Tell us your budget and what kinds of lures/bait you will be using and you'll get better advice.

The Shimano Sahara is a decent reel. We have had a couple in the past.

[deep]

You know, if you're dropping 80 bucks on that reel, you could consider spending a similar amount for the rod. Or divide the budget more equally. Good spinning reels are usually cheaper than good baitcasters. JM 2c.

If you're set on the price range for the rod, instead of that ugly stick, you could check out the abu garcia cardinals that Walmart sells. I broke the first one- a medium light power- within a couple of weeks, but the replacement has lasted for the last year and a half and still going strong. And that's while swinging in 3 pounders.

[tomustang]

You mean conolons?

Berkeley light rods also anther option in the price range.

Also, if your looking at ugly sticks, look at the Lite Pro, they are slimmer and lighter

[deep]

You mean conolons?

Nope. Cardinal. Works fine with braided line too, as you can see...

[tomustang]

We don't those at our wallys, just the conolons

[SirSnookalot]

I have an ugly stick you can have for free ( if you here in Florida to pick up it, lol ) I wouldn't use one for freshwater fishing unless I was soaking bait for catfish or carp. I know there are better choices for a spinning rod that size in the price range. That's a good bass sized reel, not that larger fish can't be caught with it but I would match the rod to the reel like a med 8/17 rod, assuming it's primary use will be for bass. If I were targeting fish like pike or lake trout I'd fish with a 4000 reel and mh 10/20 rod.

As mentioned above Ugly Sticks are real popular in saltwater I may see more of them than any other rod ( Penn reel ), 30lb line rating for inshore, and heavier for offshore.

[Grey Wolf]

Ugly stik ? Anything but AN UGLY STIK !!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but if you are a serious bass fisherman you just don't use an ugly stick.

Now if you're a serious catman that's another story.

If you want a cheapie rod buy a berkley lightning rod for the same price , it's more suitable for bass.

[doug deike]

Wow! I didn't realize buying a rod & reel was so complicated. i'm not a pro or any thing.. We mostly catch smallmouth, but occasionally get a Steelhead or Lake Trout, maybe $80 price range for rod & same for reel. I was thinking of going to Dick's sporting goods or Walmart. should I go with a combo or not, If so what would be a good combo??

[northern basser]

What length and power are you looking for? I have numerous nice spinning rods that don't get used much because I mainly use baitcasters. Let me know. I can set you up with a way nicer rod than the ones mentioned for the same price.

[WanderLust]

Ugly Stick lite was my favorite rod for a while... Now I just use it for cranking or a lend a friend rod.

Shimano Compre on sale or lightly used is a great rod for the money.

[Hyrule Bass]

Wow! I didn't realize buying a rod & reel was so complicated. i'm not a pro or any thing.. We mostly catch smallmouth, but occasionally get a Steelhead or Lake Trout, maybe $80 price range for rod & same for reel. I was thinking of going to Dick's sporting goods or Walmart. should I go with a combo or not, If so what would be a good combo??

its not complicated, and ugly stiks are just fine. theyre plenty enough sensitive and theyre strong and durable. a lot of people here dont think they can catch fish without a $150 rod and $200 reel. I have 3 ugly stiks(regular one, catfish version, and lite-pro, all spinning rods) and i infact happen to love shakespeare rods in general. the regular ugly stik i have is 7ft M spinning paired with an abu garcia cardinal 104. i use it for everything basically. i fish plastics with it, cranks, jigs, top water, drop shot, spinnerbaits, and even rig it up for bottom fishing for catfish. the catfish version is an 8ft MH and i rarely fish anything artificial on it unless im going for stripers, but i will use it mainly for a heavy carolina rig with live bait for catfish and whatever else wants to bite, its paired with a penn captiva cv2 6000. My lite--pro ugly stik is a 5'6" L rod paired with a pflueger trion gx-7. i bought it to go trout fishing, which i was skunked at, but i use for a few other things. its great for throwing lightweight lures and weightless plastics. i had a blast a few times throwing a rebel tad fry catching blue gills and other pan fish. its also just fun to catch some nice bass on a light rod. i also love to use it for fishing with minnows under a bobber in shallow water around docks and other cover.

if you want the ugly stik, go for it. im happy with mine and see no reason to spend a ton of money on a rod. pretty versatile rods if you ask me. because of my regular ugly stik, i see no reason for me to go spend $100 or more on a rod that really has no major differences from an ugly stik. i wouldnt worry about sensitivity either, the main people that bring that up are also the ones who think they can tell a huge difference between a reel weighing a half a gram lighter or heavier than another reel.

[doug deike]

Thanks! what is the difference in length of a rod?

[SirSnookalot]

A longer rod generally will cast a little further. I think the longer rod will have more backbone to it.

Shorter rods are easier to cast fishing in tight spots, like overhanging trees, some prefer a shorter rod for working a top lure.

[Ratherbfishing]

In the deep southern states, they use ugly sticks to fend off aligators, don't they?

Ugly sticks are heavy and not particularly senstive. But if you're on a tight budget, in the market for something that will last, will be using it for crankbaits, and don't mind the extra weight, why not? If you want something to "grow into", however, I don't recommend them.

[deep]

i see no reason for me to go spend $100 or more on a rod that really has no major differences from an ugly stik.

I'm really happy that you're happy with your ugly stiks, but that's a pretty big statement. I can't drop 300 bucks on a Loomis, but saying that there's no major difference between a Loomis and a Dobyns Savvy is unjustified.

[MrsTomustang]

Doug,

It can get over complicated if you let it. You can fish with a stick and line if you want, it all depends on what YOU want.

As for all our 'opinions', they are just that. My best advice is to search the internet and read a few articles on the questions you have. There are thousands of unbiased educational and informative articles out there many of them on this site will give you exceptional informational facts. By taking the time to become an informed consumer, you can decide what you think will work within your price range.

I've personally started with a Zebco 33 on a Zebco sling shot rod in pink and kept upgrading to where I am now. Trial and error will be necessary to find your comfort combo.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/Fishing-Rods.html[/url

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/bass_fishing_rods.html

Good luck to you, Sir.

Jenn

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Ugly Sticks: Not for bass fishermen that want to advance their game.

Save your money and buy a rod and reel from our Flea Market. The rod,

for around $100, might be an Avid AVC68MXF. The matching reel is a Citica.

Spinning reel, Symetre. The rod might be an Avid AVS66MLF.

There are lots of options, but I don't consider the Ugly Stick one of them.

[dodgeguy]

Hmm...

Ugly Sticks: Not for bass fishermen that want to advance their game.

Save your money and buy a rod and reel from our Flea Market. The rod,

for around $100, might be an Avid AVC68MXF. The matching reel is a Citica.

Spinning reel, Symetre. The rod might be an Avid AVS66MLF.

There are lots of options, but I don't consider the Ugly Stick one of them.

absolutely 100% agree with roadwarrior.

[ChrisAW]

if you want the ugly stik, go for it. im happy with mine and see no reason to spend a ton of money on a rod. pretty versatile rods if you ask me. because of my regular ugly stik, i see no reason for me to go spend $100 or more on a rod that really has no major differences from an ugly stik. i wouldnt worry about sensitivity either, the main people that bring that up are also the ones who think they can tell a huge difference between a reel weighing a half a gram lighter or heavier than another reel.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk or anything, but I and many others can tell you you're very wrong. If you've never used anything besides an Ugly Stick, you really don't know what you're missing.. literally.

I had an uglystick at one point, like many others. And after upgrading to a decent graphite rod, I threw it that uglystick into the deepest, darkest part of my barn to never see the light of day again. You don't have to spend much more over the cost of an uglystick to get a rod that is MUCH better. They are old technology, and the only reason I'd ever use one is for heavy duty fishing, or as a childs first combo, so I know it won't get broken.