Ugly Stick

[jignfule]

You can catch plenty of fish with an Ugly Stick, but for me I am convinced that I catch more using better equipment and I am 100% certain that I ENJOY fishing much more using higher grade tools. Higher sensitivity, the lighter weight, and the smoothness of well built rods & reels makes my trips more enjoyable and fun.

[Grey Wolf]

Anyone who compares an ugly stick with a 100.00 rod has not a clue.

[LgMouthGambler]

Ugly sticks are just that, Bass fishing aint pretty with them. Durable as hell, but no sensation. For $20 more you can get waaaaaay better. Expect at least $60 for a great all around rod. P.S. stay out of Walmart

[Hyrule Bass]

ive used higher priced rods of some friends, ive held them in stores, ive read about them online...for me its just not worth it to buy a high dollar rod. my ugly stiks and other shakespeare rods have served me well for all applications. i dont need an over-priced rod to feel good about my fishing. some of you can say im wrong, but my opinion is simply how i feel. you cannot convince me theres such major differences in rods that one is worth hundreds of dollars more than another. and there are very few things that i buy that i'll just be paying for the name on the side of it...

[Hyrule Bass]

Ugly sticks are just that, Bass fishing aint pretty with them. Durable as hell, but no sensation. For $20 more you can get waaaaaay better. Expect at least $60 for a great all around rod. P.S. stay out of Walmart

i do just fine bass fishing with them.

[LgMouthGambler]

You obviously are a rec. bass fisher. I fish to live and live to fish. Also do tournaments. I agree they are a good rod, but not for the avid angler. Flip anf cast a crappy rod and reel 500 times in 1 days tourney and try and tell me there is no difference. Also, if you go to Bass Pro, you can get a great rod and reel combo for under $100. I wait for sales for good buys. Most of my rods are Berkley Lightning Shock for my 65# Spiderwire, $50, only about $20 more than an Ugly, way less than $100 compeditors, superior to most. Im with you on the fact that $100 is rediculous, but trust me when I say there is a difference.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Find a shop that has Ugly Stiks, AND others....A BPS Outdoor World for example.

Check them out for yourself.

This will make you more able to make a decision that YOU are comfortable with.

If I were in your situation I would be watching the Flea Market, or BPS clearance sales this spring.

You will get much more rod for your money.

Hell I'm not afraid to admit being married, and especially now, being a student, I've put rods in layaway. Never spent more than $200 on a rod that wasn't on layaway.

The wife doesn't notice that spread out, but over $200 for a rod in one hit, and I'm going to hear about it.

[jignfule]

ive used higher priced rods of some friends, ive held them in stores, ive read about them online...for me its just not worth it to buy a high dollar rod. my ugly stiks and other shakespeare rods have served me well for all applications. i dont need an over-priced rod to feel good about my fishing. some of you can say im wrong, but my opinion is simply how i feel. you cannot convince me theres such major differences in rods that one is worth hundreds of dollars more than another. and there are very few things that i buy that i'll just be paying for the name on the side of it...

I,m glad you enjoy your ugly sticks. "over-priced rod" is an interesting term. To many a G. Loomis NRX at $500 is not "over-priced" and they would gladly pay $100 more for the NRX over a GLX. Also borrowing a rod, holding one in a store, or reading about them on-line, is not the same as fishing with one on a consistent bases, in different conditions and situations. For you there is no major difference in rods justifying hundreds of dollars, I can appreciate that. For many there is no major difference between a $50,000 stereo system and an I-pod, that is fine also. My Dodge suits me as fine as my neighbors Lexus suits him.

That being said, if you ever have a chance to fish with a Steez, a NRX or a GLX and fish with them long enough, you may begin to appreciate their quality and benefits that many are more that willing to pay for. Still they may not be worth the extra $$$$ to you. People don't buy high end gear to "feel good about fishing" they buy it to have an even more enjoyable experience.

[J Francho]

I caught a lot of fish on my Ugly Stik. Had it from when I was around 13 or 14 until my late teens. Served me well. The Ugly Stiks I've picked up in the store feel just like rod I had so long ago. Amazing how advanced other companies' tackle is compared to it after 25 years.

[McAlpine]

Doug, the suggestion above on the Berkley lightning rod is a really good one if you are perhaps a more casual angler than some of the guys that frequent this site. You'll have to understand there are many tournament anglers here. Anyway, I have some Lightning Rods' that I have had for years and even though I have moved on to a different type of equipment they are still some of my favorite rods for throwing light tackle and unweighted flukes. For the average weekend bass fisherman they are very good at an excellent price point. They are commonly found at Walmart or Dicks and can be found in an IM-6, IM-7 or IM-8 blank. The difference is that as you go up in IM number you should be getting a higher quality, higher modulus blank. However; you cannot compare company A's IM-X to company B's IM-X because there is no standard. Just play with them and see what you like.

Now, if you are willing to spend $100, $200...$400...on a rod then I bet you can get some great opinions... ;-)

good luck!

[J Francho]

$40 for an All Star Select when on sale at DSG would be a FAR BETTER rod than an Ugly Stik.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

If the ugly stik is in your price range now and gets you out fishing then go ahead and get it. Once you are ready to upgrade to better equipment then hand it off to someone else (possibly a child) who is just learning to fish and let them get into fishing.

[BradH]

This is my favorite time of year to buy rods/reels/tackle. With the off season deals you should be able to find a more sensitive, lighter rod for the same money. If you want one go for it. It will work.

[Hyrule Bass]

ok look, its like this. im not trying to put down or insult anyone who spends hundreds on a rod. im not saying ugly stiks are the best rods out there either. i dont want there to be any confusion there. but ugly stiks arent complete garbage as some would have you believe without directly saying so. i can do the same things and maybe more with my ugly stick that people do with a high dollar rod. i just cant justify it to myself to put out that kind of money for a rod. i was looking for rods in the $100 range before, just couldnt pull the trigger in the end. id much rather put that money into a nice spinning reel or a round baitcaster or lures. i can detect subtle bites with all my shakespeare rods and feel the bottom contour too, i myself have no need to spend significantly more on rods just for sensitivity or because it may be lighter in weight or made from a certain material. some of you say the ugly stik hasnt really changed in many years and is outdated, i say its stood the test of time...

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

ok look, its like this. im not trying to put down or insult anyone who spends hundreds on a rod. im not saying ugly stiks are the best rods out there either. i dont want there to be any confusion there. but ugly stiks arent complete garbage as some would have you believe without directly saying so. i can do the same things and maybe more with my ugly stick that people do with a high dollar rod. i just cant justify it to myself to put out that kind of money for a rod. i was looking for rods in the $100 range before, just couldnt pull the trigger in the end. id much rather put that money into a nice spinning reel or a round baitcaster or lures. i can detect subtle bites with all my shakespeare rods and feel the bottom contour too, i myself have no need to spend significantly more on rods just for sensitivity or because it may be lighter in weight or made from a certain material. some of you say the ugly stik hasnt really changed in many years and is outdated, i say its stood the test of time...

I guess the sensitivity can depend on how you fish with the rod....My brother holds all his rods/reels so he is holding the line at the same time. At all times.

Personally, I find it uncomfortable, but that is an instance where sensitivity isn't as important.

[loodkop]

Comparing an ugly stik to a NRX is like comparing a small family saloon to a sportscar. Both will get you to the water. Just because my budget is limited to a family car doesn't mean I can't admit the Porsche performs better.

[deep]

I guess the sensitivity can depend on how you fish with the rod....My brother holds all his rods/reels so he is holding the line at the same time. At all times.

Personally, I find it uncomfortable, but that is an instance where sensitivity isn't as important.

I seen people do that too, with finesse spinning rigs especially. It's uncomfortable as heck! I prefer a spinning rod without a foregrip, so that I can rest my index finger on the blank. Works pretty well for me, along with line-watching (braid). I've seen bites I didn't feel, and I've felt bites I didn't see.

I guess I must have missed some bites I didn't either see or feel though

[grimlin]

Regardless of what everybody is saying,nothing is wrong with an ugly stick. My buddy has a very limited cash spending and all he pretty much fish with is an ugly stick. He does no worst or better than I do who uses a $150 rod.

Yes there are better rods out there.Nobody will deny that,but ugly sticks are not going out of business anytime soon.A lot of people like ugly sticks.My buddy loves his,regardless how much I talk about other rods to him.He just won't hear of it. Matter of fact once in awhile he gives me a hard time about all the money I spend on my set ups. LOL

He can give me a whipping when he is using crankbaits or jerkbaits. It's hard to beat a ugly stick in that price range for that technique.He loves that soft tip it has.

[K_Mac]

As any cursory reading of my posts will show, I am not one of those guys who thinks I have to have the best to effectively catch fish. My reels are BPS and Pflueger primarily, and not one of them cost $100. My rods are are almost all BPS house brands, with a couple of exceptions.

As a kid I learned on a Zebco 202 and a cheap fiberglass rod. In my mid twenties I returned to fishing and began to concentrate on bass. I once again bought entry level gear, but in baitcast and spinning combos. I fished for a few years with this tackle and learned much about catching bass. When I lost my brother (my fishing partner) to an accident I lost my passion for fishing, and stayed away from it for a few years. When I returned to fishing I knew my old tackle was worn and needed to be replaced, and wanted to buy new gear without breaking the bank. Since even the lower level new gear was so much better than my old stuff that is what I bought.

When I found this site and started asking questions about tackle and reading the posts it became clear to me that many on this board recommended tackle that cost far more than I was willing to spend. I was offended by the notion that I needed to $100 or more on a rod or reel when when my $50 Extremes were just as good. What I have come to know after a few more years of serious bass fishing is that while I still use my Extremes they don't make me as happy as my other combos.

i can detect subtle bites with all my shakespeare rods and feel the bottom contour too, i myself have no need to spend significantly more on rods just for sensitivity or because it may be lighter in weight or made from a certain material. some of you say the ugly stik hasnt really changed in many years and is outdated, i say its stood the test of time...

Red Earth I understand your point. You don't need high end tackle to catch fish. When it comes to rods though, there is a real difference in an Ugly Stick and the newer rods. The Ugly Stick has stood the test of time because it is nearly indestructible and serves its purpose. The newer rods are far lighter, better balanced, and more sensitive even at the lower end. An ugly stick will limit your ability to feel subtle bites. As has been said, there are many better options available IMHO.

[J Francho]

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?

Any 7' medium power/fast spinning rod in your price range will match up nicely with that reel.

[Drop Shot Maniac]

K-Mac – very well said. There's nothing "wrong" with an Ugly Stik. It will work and it will catch fish. But like any other material object there is always a better option if you are willing to spend the dough. Now, some would argue that there are much better options in the same price range as the Ugly Stik, Maybe so, but I can pretty much guarantee one of those rods wouldn't last me more than a few months before I broke it. The Ugly Stik's real appeal, in my opinion, is it's durability. It will last you a long time, it will catch fish and it's cheap. That's a pretty appealing combo, and the reason why the rod has been so successful for so many years. I used one last summer when staying at a friend's lake house (I wasn't able to bring my own gear) and I caught 10 pretty decent bass over two days, just fishing a couple of hours. And I was drop-shotting. So don't tell me you can't catch bass with an Ugly Stik, and don't tell me you can't sense strikes. You most definitely can. I wouldn't trade it for my St. Croix, but it darn sure worked. I can understand a preference for a higher quality rod, but I don't see any need to rip on a product that has been as overtly successful as the Ugly Stik, or to be critical of Red Earth just because the Ugly Stik is what he loves and clearly prefers to use.

[ChrisAW]

Its not about spending $150, there are MUCH better rods in the same price range as the Ugly Sticks. Berkleys Lightning rods, or Shock Rods, H20 Ethos, Abu Garcia Vengeance (On sale for 29.99 at my GM store) Shimano Convergence.. Not to mention Bass Pro's, Gander Mountain, and Cabela's house rods.

About 25% of the people that I fished the local tournaments with this year were fishing with Gander's rods, including myself (Half of mine are GM's), and I was the only one out there with the ones that were ranging $100+. One of those guys repeatedly won this year using ONLY GM's Guide Series rods, $59.99 and on sale many times throughout the year for even less.

I don't see how people keep bringing up $100+ rods when there are better choices for the same price, or less if you're in to buy at the right time.

[Hyrule Bass]

Red Earth I understand your point. You don't need high end tackle to catch fish. When it comes to rods though, there is a real difference in an Ugly Stick and the newer rods. The Ugly Stick has stood the test of time because it is nearly indestructible and serves its purpose. The newer rods are far lighter, better balanced, and more sensitive even at the lower end. An ugly stick will limit your ability to feel subtle bites. As has been said, there are many better options available IMHO.

how much lighter? i have no problems handling my ugly stik/abu garcia cardinal 104 combo all day. minimal amount of weight differences is not a factor at all for me.

balance? no problems here, feels fine to me.

sensitivity? my ugly stik is plenty sensitive, of course i already explained that.

explained the subtlety too. i feel bites just fine, even the soft ones.

as i said earlier, im not saying ugly stiks are the best, im sure there are better rods. but i love the versatility of them, the price of them, and they do the same if not more than a high dollar rod. i can comfortably and just as effectively do with an ugly stick what many people have 5 separate rods for...

K-Mac – very well said. There's nothing "wrong" with an Ugly Stik. It will work and it will catch fish. But like any other material object there is always a better option if you are willing to spend the dough. Now, some would argue that there are much better options in the same price range as the Ugly Stik, Maybe so, but I can pretty much guarantee one of those rods wouldn't last me more than a few months before I broke it. The Ugly Stik's real appeal, in my opinion, is it's durability. It will last you a long time, it will catch fish and it's cheap. That's a pretty appealing combo, and the reason why the rod has been so successful for so many years. I used one last summer when staying at a friend's lake house (I wasn't able to bring my own gear) and I caught 10 pretty decent bass over two days, just fishing a couple of hours. And I was drop-shotting. So don't tell me you can't catch bass with an Ugly Stik, and don't tell me you can't sense strikes. You most definitely can. I wouldn't trade it for my St. Croix, but it darn sure worked. I can understand a preference for a higher quality rod, but I don't see any need to rip on a product that has been as overtly successful as the Ugly Stik, or to be critical of Red Earth just because the Ugly Stik is what he loves and clearly prefers to use.

well said yourself. and for the record, my 7ft M ugly stik has been an excellent for me when i drop shot with it

[J Francho]

OK guys, four pages is enough. Unless you can offer new advice to the original poster, move on.