Clear editor. The Ugly Stiks were designed to be unbreakable, but are they really? First, its heavier than more high-performance graphite rods (which usually run about 5 ounces for a medium-heavy 6-foot-6 or 7-foot rod), and some people find that tiring. I brought my cheapo Shimano FXS rod on several trips to test beside the others. Irrespective of whether you are a fresher or a seasoned angler, it can never hurt to have an Ugly Stik GX2 by your side. Ugly Stik GX2 is a top selling option on the higher end of the price range. We spoke with senior editor and lifetime angler Grant Clauser about his preferences for tackle storage. Turn the handle of the reel slowly and fill the spool with the line. Ugly Stik fishing rods, like many others, are made from component parts manufactured in Taiwan, China, and Korea. David is a freelance writer. sensitivity of graphite and durability of fiberglass. Available in length of 66. Having fished on a budget in settings as varied and diverse as the spring brooks of the Adirondack Mountains, the brown sludge that is the Hudson River, and the emerald coastal waters of New Zealand, I can say that a careful selection of the most durable all-around tackle has been essential to me. Paired with Shimano reels, these rods let you pull in big fish securely on braided line or monofilament. The poles stiffer graphite composite also makes it more brittle and less suitable for bait fishing. The BG's design allows trapped water (a common issue with braided line especially) to drain through the reel. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Its strong enough to handle salmon and other saltwater fish, but sensitive enough for trout. So you will put more fish in the boat. Lay the reel out horizontally so that any water that gets in has an easy path out, and dont blast a reel with water to avoid blasting out the grease; just make sure it receives a thorough flow. Be the first to rate this post. We also tried the Penn Battalion and the Shimano Teramar SE, which are both great rods. The patented construction process creates a fishing rod that is practically unbreakable, yet sensitive enough to catch fish at the first bump of the hook. Fishing related news and personal stories. Im a United States Coast Guardcertified master captain, and I have been fishing since I could walk. I beat up these rods and reels, from the mouth of the Hudson River in New York to the Cook Strait of New Zealand. The more graphite in a rod, the lighter and stiffer it is, but such rods are also more brittle, so you wouldnt want to hand one to a 3-year-old. If you plan to fish with care (and not with children), the Saguaro can make an excellent rod for medium-weight jigging and topwater fishing, but it is less than ideal for lightweight artificial lures or bait fishing, and nowhere near as sturdy as an Ugly Stik. The Ugly Stik GX2 spinning rod is a favorite among largemouth bass anglers. Regardless of what rod or reel you get, salt is the enemyeven with gear specifically designed for use in the ocean. Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. As with any gear that you use in saltwater make sure to rinse it with fresh water after you are done fishing so you do not get corrosion. While generally sturdy, they still dont come anywhere close to Ugly Stiks Ugly Tuff guides. Due to the addition of the graphite, the glossy black finish has given way to what I find to be a more eye appealing matte black finish. The BIGGEST FISH EVER CAUGHT On Ugly Stik GX2 Catching Dinosaurs 480K subscribers Subscribe 448 Share 31K views 4 years ago #Fishing #UglyStik #UglyStikGx2 #UglyStik #UglyStikGx2 #Fishing. I spent several days fishing freshwater rivers for trout and smaller salmon, and a couple of days fishing private ponds and lakes for largemouth bass. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 12-20lb - 7 9" - 2 piece. The Ugly Stik is renowned for its virtually unbreakable construction, making it an ideal choice for novice anglers or anglers looking for an affordable and reliable spinning rod. Till then, annyeong. It deserves more. What makes the Ugly Stik GX2 so much more durable and versatile than other rods is that it uses both graphite and fiberglass to provide sensitivity and strength without sacrificing too much of either. At the sub-$200 level, our selection for both a rod and a reel represents the most affordable but still reliable pairing we could recommend. PaneraiMan One of the first things that come to mind for most experienced fisherman when they think of an Ugly Stik is durability and value. Unlike before, it now feels very comfortable even after hours of cast & retrieves. The biggest change is the new guide design. Every model boasts a fast, flexible tip with hook-setting strength to spare, plus premium Fuji guides and reel seat. Ugly Stik GX2 is a top selling option in the middle of the fishing rods price range. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. There's an Ugly Stik Bigwater Rod for just about any application. I found this video of a guy putting the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 to what I would have to call the ultimate challenge. We found a great reel, too. I also like to spray me reels with a 1:4 solution of SaltAway:Water. Based on the GX2s build and the originals history of durability, the GX2 could very well be the last rod youll need to buy. Available in lengths ranging from 56 to 9. The durability of Ugly Stik has your back and the GX2 certainly doesnt disappoint. In comparison with the tackle boxes of oldwhose fold-out compartments resembled hardware storage more than outdoors equipmenta well-constructed tackle bag with individual compartments, carabiner loops, and a supportive shoulder strap will lessen the load of hiking to remote spots or bringing necessities with you while wading into a river. Got the Ugly Stik GX2 on sale at Cabela's. 7 foot Medium Heavy rod with the largest reel available. We also tested Shimanos Saragosa, a supposed upgrade, but didnt find anything particularly advantageous about it over the Spheros SW. The Ugly Stik Elite is a rod specifically designed for smaller fish. (The Battalion has since been replaced by the Battalion II; we have not tested it.) The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 comes in 15 casting and 20 spinning models plus the pack rods and the ladies configurations. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Purchase a reel of your choice and you would be good to go. Light Available In 4 Models: A nice choice for catching those trout and panfish where some extra lifting power is required. This sponsorship helps prove that Ugly Stik casting and spinning rods are good rods, made for serious fishing. I will suggest that, if you can accommodate it, a one-piece rod will almost always outperform a two- or three-piece rod. You could easily spend thousands on a fishing rod and reel, but most casual fishers (and even some experts) would be happier with something more versatile and less expensive. opcorn: Even a fish would'nt get into trouble, if he kept his mouth. Let us tell you, nothing could be further away from the truth. The GX2 feels much more smooth than the previous Ugly Stik models. The best thing about an ugly stick is that are cheap and don't break easily. How to Use a Shakespeare Ugly Stik Fishing Reel Step 1: Filling the Reel with Line Check the line guide and thread the line through it and around the spool. His tackle splits its time between a classic (and unfortunately discontinued) L.L.Bean tackle bag (which straps easily to the front of his kayak) and a similarly vintage side-sling number from Piscifun. Mechanically, the Daiwa BG reels stand head and shoulders above competitors within the same price range for a handful of reasons. Be it braided, carbon or monofilament lines, the guides are perfectly fine for all. But to keep things flexible and give yourself room to grow and try out different environments, we think investing in a simple yet multipurpose tackle bag is a good place to start. It should be a single-piece model, if you can accommodate it. If youre starting from nothing, a spinning outfit offers the highest chance of success. It has variable lengths with six models dedicated to our female angler friends. Shakespeare has provided us with EVA material grip in the Ugly Stik GX2. Adapted to suit a wide variety of general use. A major reason lies in the fact that this rod has always been dependable and durable. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod. Description. In warmer months, anglers are generally more competitive and eager to spend less time socializing and more time fishing. Star Rods Stellar Lite Spinning Rod | Bass Pro The numerous loops and side compartments in the sling bag make it easy to keep essentials like pliers and multi-tools within reach; it also has a convenient water-bottle holder. Available in lengths ranging from 7 to 76. He is determined to break this thing. 04/18/2023 05:27 am GMT. My 2 cents. Privacy Policy. The amount of tackle carried to the boat, watering hole, or river will vary depending on what kind of fishing youre doing. While the GX2 isnt better than a specialist rod in either application, it is a capable performer in bothwhich cant be said of the Ugly Stik Tiger or the Penn Squadron. It is a good rod for all your fishing needs. He understands the challenge to pick the best fishing rod or learning the lifestyle. Display as a link instead, She writes about a range of fish species for Tackle Village and reviews lures and gear. This design also represents an upgrade from the old Ugly Stik, which had two-piece pop-out guides that were the only weak spot in an otherwise bulletproof rod. Good for basses requiring a sensitive approach. Ugly Stik Tiger rods are versatile rods that can be used from coast to coast. This makes it comparable in durability to reels that cost twice as much. Each one of us at Fishing Is Bliss is an enthusiast in one area or another. For the very affordable price point of around $39.99, this rod makes an excellent gift that anyone would love to get. Rumors of professional anglers such as Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston using Ugly Stik rods have been around for years, but Ugly Stik has actually never endorsed a competitor until this past year. Medium and Medium Heavy Available In 9+3 Models: Almost all the freshwater fishes you can imagine cannot escape you now if you have this rod in your hand. Subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates about new gear and special deal alerts. What is consistently stunning about this rod is the price point. Ugly Stik GX2 casting rod This model brings the toughness and durability of the Ugly Tech material to a casting lineup which is clearly intended for heavy weight applications. today. The load is distributed throughout the length of the rod but it still remains sensitive. Learn more aboutHow ToChoose a Fishing Rod. Pay us back later. Thick foam grip reduces some sensitivity. The Penn combos are the oposite, the Penn Battle II combos are $110-130 but those rods Penn includes in those combos are not that good, and Pursuit II & III reels are flimsy for $70 combo. This is critical. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. $50 from Walmart. It's a #1 bestseller in fishing rods category and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Okuma Longitude or BerryPro Salmon & Steelhead . We are free to use a lot of retrieval techniques. For those of you who want all the details I have provided the chart below. At the end of the day, be sure to give everything a solid rinse with freshwater and loosen the drags (to relieve straining pressure), whether your rig costs $20 or $2,000. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod $49.95 Buy now. The Daiwa BG and medium or medium-heavy Ugly Stik GX2 combination is more versatile and durable than anything else in the same price range. Since neither Fishing Rod received a single endorsement, as far as expert recommendations go, it's technically a tie. For the person that is just getting started, Shakespeare offers several Ugly Stix GX2 combo packages that only add a few dollars to your purchase price. It has the same three-part pinion/clutch seal (the most important seal in a spinning reel, protecting the very center of the reel, which is virtually irreparable) as Shimanos $1,000-plus reels. If you know someone who loves fishing, this rod can make the perfect birthday gift and they would be delighted to have this rod on-board. People have great fishing memories attached with Ugly Stiks and they would love to make some more. Tackle Village is reader supported. The medium-action rod is flimsier as compared to the light-action one on the top. That changed a few years backin fact, our teardown revealed that it has more in common with $200-plus reels than with others in its price category. Capable of catching big fishes that require distant casting and heavier lures. We are currently testing this new model and will update with our results. An additional 35% more graphite in the rod is the main factor making the newer Ugly Stik Elite series our pick for lure fishing; the extra stiffness should help you manipulate your lure more realistically. Not only are bag limits high, but the fish generally taste better through the We all love to know about fishing! For the average fisher, the 10- to 25-pound maximum drags on any of our picks will suffice. All-in-all, we have a quality build paired with modern looks. More expensive (and usually sturdier) guides include inserts made of higher-quality materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) or titanium-framed silicon carbide (TiSiC), which are usually affixed to rods built for performance (longer casting and lighter weight). With a signature clear tip, it has helped many anglers to identify this rod easily in a huge stack. In 2021, Matt Robertson became the first Bassmasters Elite Series angler to sign an endorsement deal with Ugly Stik fishing rods. So you ask yourself whats new with the GX2? Both rods are incredibly sensitive despite their durability. The Ugly Stik Bigwater combo is built for durabilty and reliability. (The Battle II has been replaced by the Battle III, which we have not yet tested.). Curious to see this month's entire Fishing Rods ranking? There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Shimano introduced another $100-range line of spinning reels, called the Nasci. Small models can be useful for 1/4oz lures whereas heavy models would be able to handle 1oz lures easily. 7 Year Warranty Shakespeare backs up the Ugly Stik GX2 with a 7 Year warranty. I also tested the gear on smaller bottom fish, including summer flounder, sea bass, and porgies (or scup), as well as red drum and spotted seatrout in Charleston, South Carolina. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. In the summer of 2013, Shakespeare released the new generation of the Ugly Stik known as the GX2. After interviewing experts and spending over 80 hours testing spinning rods and reels, weve determined that pairing the Ugly Stik GX2 rod with the Daiwa BG spinning reel makes the best all-around fishing outfit without breaking the bank. Shimanos Spheros SW is among the smoothest spinning reels Ive ever held, out of the box. Common points from expert reviews summarized. The elongated handle in the longer models allows us to put in more power behind our casts. Capable of catching big fishes that require distant casting and heavier lures. Daiwas original BG series has been a crowd favorite since its introduction in the 1980s but has fallen short as an all-around choice only because the roller on the bail (which guides the line from the reel to the guides on the fishing rod) was not built to handle braided line. The medium also is 2 piece while the medium heavy is 1. You can purchase a G Loomis E6X starting around $179. Something that is new, is the addition of the Ugly Stik logo in the butt end of the rod. The two piece model is a "Casting Rod" i belive, but you will have a better feel with the one piece. All Trademarks and Copyrights belong to their respective owners. 5 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under $100. If you take this step, our recommended Ugly Stik GX2 and Daiwa BG combo will serve you well for years to come. In almost all cases, the line broke before the rod did. ReviewFinder is reader-supported - if you click on a link on ReviewFinder and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod is a very popular option in the middle of the fishing rods price range. $50 from Amazon. The Ugly Stik fishing rod stands up to misuse and abuse. This rod is a dependable workhorse, especially when casting heavier lures, but it may be too stiff for bait and bottom fishing. The Penn combos are the oposite, the Penn Battle II combos are $110-130 but those rods Penn includes . Rod BlankFirst off this new generation of technology is called Ugly Techand features a new blank through reel seat design that is a combination of traditional fiberglass with the addition of a touch of graphite. Adapted to suit a wide variety of general use. All Trademarks and Copyrights belong to their respective owners. For more information, please see our I am still a fan of cork personally but this is a very durable alternative. Compared with our previous pick, the Penn Battle IInot to mention many higher-end Penn and Shimano reelsthe BG is equipped with a more durable rotor, as well as stronger, individual springs for the anti-reverse clutch (which keeps the reel from spinning backward), and most notably, the very same ball bearings included in Daiwas and Shimanos most expensive models. Salt Away Review: What is Salt-Away Saltwater Remover? The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 is the latest version of the now classic 'Ugly Stick' and it combines the legendary virtually unbreakable Howald Process blank with modern design and styling to produce a very nice boat . In researching and testing, I prioritized attributes such as durability and build qualityfeatures that anyone, regardless of skill level and intended use, can appreciateover more specialized features such as multiple-geared reels for using live bait or especially stiff rods that can handle big fish but not smaller ones. Additionally, the more pieces that make up the guide, the more pieces with the potential to fall apart. The only down side to 2-pc, or multi-pc, rods is the possibility of the sections coming apart during casting which can usually be avoided by securely putting them together. In the next sections, we'll lay out our top 7 picks for the best Ugly Stik fishing rods, including a list of pro's and con's for each one. Again, with the models comes the choice of a 1-pc or a 2-pc blank thus suiting whatever needs you have. So, without taking much of your time now we bid farewell. The Ugly Stik is one of the company's oldest models of fishing rods, having been around since 1976. This is one of those rods that I have no problem lending to a friend as I know that he or she is not going to mess it up. Your previous content has been restored. The expensive rods are good indeed but this isnt bad either. So you will put more fish in the boat. Power also describes the lure size and line test-loads. Similarly, you could go cheaper, but then youd give up reliability. I am going to the shore this weekend so I want to be able to use it in freshwater for flounder and small sea bass, but I also want to use it for bass in freshwater lakes. The older version was tough, but it came along with traditional pop-out ceramic inserts that were easy to break. Drag on a spinning reel is provided by a stack of washers, which you can either tighten or loosen against the spool (the part of the reel that holds the line) to build friction to reel in a fish, relieve friction to allow for play in the line (so it doesnt break), or let it swim away in order to let the hook fully set.1. But to make sure you get what you need, look for the maximum drag rating on the spec sheet. Below are their opinions. month 2. month 3 . They come in both casting and spinning variants and we have reviewed both of them. Spending less means losing out on long-term durability; spending more means youre paying for features designed for specific kinds of fishing, or lighter-weight materials that are nice to have but unnecessary for a general-purpose fishing setup. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod: Ugly Tech Construction Ugly Tuff 1-piece stainless steel guides Ugly Stik clear tip design Durable and lightweight EVA grips Enhanced cosmetics for a more modern look 7-year warranty. It's in the top 3 bestselling fishing rods and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Ugly Stik GX2 or Berkley Lightning Casting Rod . Apply now Ugly Stik GX2 Ladies Spinning Rod Heavy Power Models: Available in length of 66. During mid-2013 Shakespeare released a new upgraded version of the Ugly Stik known as the GX2. Large pikes, salmons, and even some saltwater fishes can be your game now. Like most fishers, Im not able to carry, store, or afford a different rod and reel for every species of fish or method of fishing. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. On 12 Apr 2023 (6 days ago) we went through 78 Fishing Rod expert endorsements . This website displays data from third party public sources. It is a durable rod for a few bucks, so you can buy more than one model. It will also be repairable should anything go wrong, whereas with cheaper gear, the cost of a repair can often exceed the worth of the reel. Read the full review of the G Loomis E6X HERE. Compared with the original, it includes more graphite and less fiberglass, giving the rod more of a backbone for working lures and handling heavier fish, while still keeping the soft fiberglass tip that makes it sensitive enough for detecting subtler strikes and smaller catches. Weve looked over this guide and still stand by our recommendations. If you can only have one fishing rod, make it an Ugly Stik GX2. The eyelets might begin to corrode after a couple of years of usage in saltwater but it is nothing to worry about as you can always wipe them clean. This construction, combined with little or no preventative sealing to keep saltwater and grit from entering the mechanical parts, means that most reels less than $50 just arent worth the money. As Alan Hawk discovered, its cast zinc. And though he agreed that there is likely no single bag that will suit anything from fly-fishing to deep-water trowling, he had a few suggestions for what to look for. One-Piece Guides Probably one of the the biggest changes that most people will notice is the new guide design. If you're willing to spend $100 or a bit more, youll get all the makings of a reel thats built to last. This spinning-rod-and-reel setup is approachable enough for a novice to learn on, yet it performs well enough for a seasoned veteran to depend on. The Bigwater series features Ugly Tech construction with a combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a strong, yet sensitive rod, Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides to provide excellent durability and eliminate insert pop-outs, and Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity. But if youve never held a high-end spinning rod before, you wont notice the difference. Star, Penn, and Tsunami, just to name a few, make way better surf rods, all for under $100. You wont have any problems casting lures ranging between 1/4oz to 1oz at distances more than 50 feet. I had an old 1100 series rod that lasted me 15years. We expected more out of a $180 reel. However they lack the sensitivity needed when jigging and jerk baiting when one has to sense that gentle tap or slight increase in weight. Star Rods Stellar Lite Spinning Rod | Bass Pro. Powerful, responsive, and durablethanks to the IM-7 high modulus graphite used throughout! This material may not be posted on another website. In fact, if it costs less than $100 and its not an Ugly Stik, Id just as soon use a hand line. Along with remarkable durability, it is backed by a long 7-year warranty from Shakespeare at the time of writing this article. If you know you want something stiffer for doing more lure fishing, the Ugly Stik Elite series is a good bet. A one-piece rod offers better stiffness and more controlfewer pieces make for fewer problems with durability and performance, although portability suffers. They are strong! I fished with lures in rivers for trout and salmon, and I set 1- to 1-pound live baits from my skiffs, catching ocean fish up to 20 pounds with each rod and reel. Parallel fibers infused with pigmented polyester resin creates a strong . The line lay is impeccably even, and despite being largely plastic, the Spheros is sturdy where it counts. Anyone who has one please let me know how its been with youre fishing, Scan this QR code to download the app now. Very high levels of customer satisfaction. From my research on this sub, ugly stik gx2 seems to be a good starting place. : Fishing_Gear Got the Ugly Stik GX2 on sale at Cabela's. 7 foot Medium Heavy rod with the largest reel available. Toward the end of the season, a 400-pound bruiser burned up the clicker on the spool, which isnt a huge deal but worth mentioning. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!
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