Speak your mind, what YOU think, about the Shakespeare Ugly Stik.
I also think it's a good rod, probably my favorite for carp and cats. It's a decent rod for bass if you use it the right way. Isn't too good for soft plastics or jigs but crankbaits shouldn't be a problem. They're available in every size from ultra-light to heavy.
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Good cheap rod with good action that you don’t have to worry much if you break it but they are pretty tough and can take some abuse. I however do not use them.
I like it. I only have one and have only ever had this one and it has been in my arsenal for 3 years now. I have caught a 4 pound trout with it no problem (not a surprise) it is the light action rod, about 6’5 feet or so… I have caught a 7 pound bass with it, again not a surprise. But… the surprise is that yesterday I caught a 25 pound carp while fishing for catfish and the pole didn’t skip a beat. I think that for the price (being the cheapest price rod I own) and the durability, it is the best setup that I have in my possession.
How do you feel about it?
Best rod ever made for your money hands down!
Junk in my opinion. I had a huge one around 11 or 12′. It was a surf casting rod. I took it plunking for salmon on the Columbia. As I cast a 6 oz pyramid sinker the lower half shattered. It was “rated” for more weight than that. The rod was almost brand new, no scratches or anything. I’ll never buy one of those pieces of garbage again.
In Freshwater, the Ugly Stik is the best entry level priced rod you can purchase. They are perfect for the casual fisherman or novice fisherman just entering the sport.
However due to there weight and lack of sensitivity they are generally not considered a good Bass fishing rod.
In an Offshore Saltwater or heavy action Freshwater environment, (Catfish, Carp, Sturgeon, Etc) they are one of the best entry level rods available. Offshore Charter Captains, (all over the World), use them due to their amazing durability. Don’t get me wrong, there ARE “nicer” Offshore/Heavy Freshwater rods but no where near the price of an Ugly- I can purchase 2-3 Ugly Stiks to ONE “nicer” Seeker, St. Croix, Shimano, Etc.
Overall, on a scale of 1-10, I think the Ugly Stik would be a solid 8, (9 if your strictly fishing Offshore).
Merry X-mas BC.
its crap pick up a browning or shimano instead
as l have stated many times, l think they are way too soft to make a great bass rod. they have no backbone for setting hooks in plastics.
their sensitivity is nil. what is the point of building graphite into a rod when all the sensitivity is dampened by the glass in it? especially that solid glass tip? it fishes exactly like the old solid glass rods from years back.
as you say, they are probably servicable as crankbait rods, but l like a “lunkerstick” for those.
all that having been said, l do own a few. they are heavier spinning rods l use baitfishing for cats on occasion (or loaners). but they don’t cast as well as an all graphite rod.
they are inexpensive and do handle the abuse dished out by kids and others that treat their tackle with no respect. there IS a market for them. l am just not that market.
Almost all the regulars know my feelings on the UGLY STIK (and Penn reels).
A little history: the ugly stik is made via the same process that the old “wonderods” were made. In fact, the only difference is that wonderods were fiberglass and ugly stiks are part graphite – the technology used is a bit dated ( 1947 !)
That being said, it is well known that the ugly stik is NOT sensitive. It is also heavy and quite honestly not a very accurate rod nor is it built for distance casting.
What it is good for is carp and cats. They are virtually unbreakable and can take a beating.
They have also sufficed for getting people into fishing, something they can start out with and then progress from there. Being inexpensive and having a very good warranty, it just made sense to purchase a youngster one.
BTW – there’s an old joke amongst us (ahem) senior fly-fisherman about how the wonderod got its name: it was a wonder you could cast the d*mn thing
I’ve found them to be a tough rod, but not terribly sensitive. When I fished in Canada, I used it for pike and walleye. Great for pike, poor for walleye. I’ve also found them to be a little on the front-heavy side, in terms of balance.
Use for large predatory fish (pike, catfish, muskie, offshore), but do not use for anything requiring a finesse approach. If you’re looking for a more sensitive rod in the same price range, I’d consider Berkely CherryRod or LightningRod.
this rod is amazing i caught a 20 lb catfish on it and this thing never breaks ever
Ugly Stik rods SUCK.
Plain and simple.
The average fisherman will say it’s a fine fishing rod for the price. And it is. But if you are going with plastics it isn’t quite sensitive enough. But the main strike against the rod, and this only effects a few fanatics like myself, is the rod is simply too heavy to fish daylight to dark with. But how many people do that anyway? I may be the only idiot in the world (plus a close friend of mine) that fishes like that.
They were my 1st rods.
They make me an angry fisherman.
Poor control, weird feel and too wobbley.
If I put a 2 or 3 oz sinker on with a bait fish,
the rod bows so much that I can’t even cast.
Also the tip wobbles so much that my line doesn’t go where I want it to.
I only use them to lend to people.
It puts so much stress on the reel that they can’t pull in fish.
The ugly stick is a good choice if durability and toughness is the most important factor. I have three of them that i saltwater and fresh water striper fish with. I have yet to break one and believe me i have abused them. I have used heavier line than they are rated for and pulled until it broke when hung up and never broke them. They make a great live bait rod for bigger fish. Not avery sensitive rod , but good for what they are desighned for..
I’ve had one for years. As a matter of fact, I just bought one for my grandson so he’d quit stealing mine.
Who said you had to fish for bass with them?
I’ve caught perch, brim, brown trout, carp, cat fish, salmon, etc. When taking multiple rods I always include the Ugly Stik. Brings me good luck.