Looking for Answers about Shakespeare Shakespeare® Ugly Stik® Spinning Rods?

That is an answer that's not as easy as it would seem. I'm using a 6'6" medium heavy rod for heavy cover. I coupled this with 80lb test braid (50-65lb will suffice). Now, I am not wealthy, far from it. So I picked a reel that was inexpensive yet would work for me. There are two reel types to look at: Spinning and bait casters. Spinning is more known for using plastics and can be used for heavy cover but I found that a bait caster makes more sense. Next, if you go with that, what would you use? Well, there are several good ones out there under $100. The first thing I would say is how fast of a retrieve would you like? 5:3:1 and 6:3:1 are probably the most used and known. Basically, the higher that first number, the faster the retrieve. You have to be careful. For instance, I have more rod reel combos (all Ugly Stiks). The bait caster reels are Daiwa. Two are 5:3:1 on 5'6" trigger rods and the other is a 6:3:1 on a 6'6" trigger rod. When I used a Strike King Swim Jig on the 5'6," I caught two bass. Not realizing the speed of the 6'6" rod, I used the same bait and was reeling it in too fast. So, the speed has a lot to do with what you are looking for. The next thing is feel. You should go in to Bass Pro shop and try out different reels and I would suggest trying even ones well outside of your budget so you can get an idea of how reels work. So, I can't give you an exact reel to use, I would suggest which reel works best for what you want to achieve and then narrow it down to speed and feel.

It's great for all different kinds of fishing. especially heavy covor!

I'm Base-ing this On I reading this question On the Page where there is Spinning Rods and the 7 Foot Rod In Weighted for 8 -15 Line .. Ok So using 15 Pound test on the High In Of the scale and I guessing a 5/8 OZ Lure In Heavy cover Sounds like it going to be a Jig or a Maybe a worm in use.. Could be some Kind of braid Line Like Fire-line or Spider-wire . So want Reel ? I My Self have Used a Lot of Spinning reels Brands But I Keeping coming back to Shimano Brand of Reels and I sure Bass Pro make a great Spinning I Love there Bait-casters Reels .. Best the Best In that size that Uses that 15 Pound test as the Avg size Line on Most reel spools with the Most bearings with a front Drag. I feel Is better. Money ( cost) then Becomes the Problem ... Some times In the Long run a 30 dollar real Is the better buy If you in saltwater Fishing and if it breaks Down go get a New reel.. or if you do a lot of wading in where You reel could get wet more . I just can't see Putting a 250 dollor reel In those areas But You must have a smooth drag that set right ... No More than 1/3 of the Line test so for a 15 pound Line test You reel slip at 5 pounds of Pull max Pull I some times set it to 1/4 of the line Pull and must do that test every time that make a good reel whatever the Brand It is ..I know I gave you the run around with this question but It's want I feel about what a reel has to do and Not Fail at that time a Big fish get on. I Myself use a Shimano Sonora it a Mid Priced reel Cause I wade Rivers Allot and Fish Ponds for Big Catfish ( 20 # Cats) No Problem using 10 Pound Line . This reel Just hangs in there ..Oh I have 4 Of them Plus I bought My Dad One all On Different size Rods for me So i guess that a good call for a Reel .. Also I bought a Shamano Speed-master reel In 1977 in High School I Still Have the reel and It still works but I Re-tired It Last year. and I did allot of fishing with that Reel . from Canada Walleye & Northern to Missouri Small mouths to SW Fla. Snook .Same Reel.. I hope that clears some of Real talk Up !!

I have 7ft ugly stick med. with a wavespin by doug hanna with powerpro 30lb braid. This combo works for all my bass fishing needs.

I use a Bass Pro Shops Mega Tournament 30 model (in stores only I think) with trilene xl 8lb. Great for walleye and bass.

Mitchel Avotec

I paired it with a Abu Garcia Cardinal and i do the same thing with it, heavy largemouth fishing. It works great, looks good, and its affordable.

it all has to do with the size of your hand, and what kind of fishing space you'll be fishing in (ie, a boat with lots of people, or a lake shore with a lot of overhang), it also has to do with sensitivity, shorter rods are usually a little more sensitive, i prefer longer rods for casting distance which with perhaps some other rods you sacrifice casting distance for sensitivity, but with ugly stick that is not so. You can still get great casting distance with that 6' but still feel even those finicky bites.

As for handle, the cork is a little lighter but I personally have used both, and there's not that much of a difference, so with the ugly stick, i think it is more aesthetic and personal preference rather than functionality.

mostly its what is comfortable for the user because the more comfortable you are the better you will cast i would say your best bet is to go and test them out but make shore you hold it like you would when your casting and make the same movements.

Great reels those Spirex FG. I have 5 of them. I also have 4 UGLY STIKS. For bass fishing, I prefer a one piece, rod , at least 6 ft. in length, and MH action. The shorter, smaller rods are primarily for panfishing ( crappie, etc. ) . Have fun.

it is very sensitive and a great pole

If you are going to be casting, which I assume you are, stay away from the Ugly Sick rods. Yes, they are almost indestructible but thats about all. They are OK for trolling or jigging. Spend a few extra bucks and get a bass Pro Shops rod of about the same price in 6.5 ft medium action with straight handle.

The 4' 8" rod is great for trout fishing. i also use it when i fish for bluegill.

I use the 4'8" ultralight rod for trout fishing. It is some of the most fun I have during the early season.

Yes, and it isn't as "ultralight" as one might think. It has some real backbone to it. I know I can handle fish bigger than what most flimsy ultralight set ups can with this rod. It's awesome with a small spinning reel on it.

most people prefer to do so yes this is what you might want
which trout though
rainbow-yes, no larger than 5'6
brook-yes
brown-yes, go no larger than 5'6
but if you are fishing in saltwater or bay
NO No NO No
also if you are fishing lakes or lake trout use a larger rod

You could, if the trout were 6 inches long. That is a pretty tiny rod. If you want to huck any lures like spinners any distance, I would go with a 6' light good quality rod. I always tell my friends to spend the money and get at least a Shimano Compre. They are the best bang for your buck in my opionion. Not the most sensitive you can buy, but the most for that price. It is fairly didmishing returns after that point.

I was using mine today and was pulling in a lot of heavy pike, and a lot of smallmouth were hitting as well, and I was using crankbaits, spinners, and top waters. I've landed some big largemouth on it too --it's a very versatile rod.

I dont use crankbaits with spinning rods but i trust this rod enough that it probably can be worked with a crankbait.

i fish for alot of smallmouths and also largemouths with my 7' medium action uglystik spinning rod it works awesome for me

I don't use baitcasting reels either and do alot of bass fishing. I use 10lb braded line and do not seem to have any problem.

The rod would handle the situation perfectly.

Quantum® Kevin VanDam Signature Series Spinning Reel - Model KVD30C on sale right now for $79.97

Shimano Sahara is what I use.

I use Diawa SS reels on my rods. They are a little pricey but they go above and beyond what I need.

Diawa regal xia 2500 to 4000 for $55 or if you want something cheaper the okuma travertine for $25

try the pflueger president reel it is affordable and hold up well at about $50
for a cheaper price pflueger gx7 for $30

Yes, I have 8lb Spiderwire Super Mono on it and it works perfectly fine.

no not at all ive used both still works great 8 is what i usually use

no but i would recomend a larger rod for 8 lb or 10 lb line

I use 8lb all the time with mine. I like to be able to cast a long way and this rod handles 8lb well.

I myself use 6 pound test and seem to have no trouble bringing in larger fish with the drag set just right.

Yes I would, I've been using ugly stick for years and YET to have one break on me. It's strong but sensitive enough that you can feel those timid little panfish and crappie bites.

theike122,

My very first rod ever was an Ugly Stik UL 4' 8" two-piece. Although I have long since replaced the reel with a Shimano, I still use the rod all the time. The UL is actually a lot more sensitive in comparison to the M/MH Ugly Stiks. I have had mine for around 17 years, and it is still landing nice fish.

The Ugly Stik is definitely a great choice for a rod. I have the Ugly Stik Lite Pro and it is a good rod. It is a small rod, but it has hadled every fish I have got a hold of including some big catfish. An Ugly Stik would be a dependable rod and wouldn't break your budget.

5 ft 1 piece ugly stick most dependable rod in the ul category. i have had almost every ul rod u can imagine and i fish for trout 7 days a week ive broken just about every rod in the ul class except the ugly stik. they will stand up to anything. i first bought one about 5 yrs ago because i broke my $90 st.croix rod and wanted a cheap mid season replacement and haven't bought another rod since.

Get medium

These are fiberglass rods. They won't break. Graphite rods will snap and are rated for the flex it takes for lure to bend the rod. You need flex in the rod to cast. Using a heavy lure on a light rod can snap it in a second. Ugly stick won't snap so you can cast heavier lures with lighter action rods. These will have too much flex in them with really heavy lures and won't cast well though. Go with a Ugly Stick lite, and get a m action. Use 8lb fluorocarbon and you'll be able to do most freshwater fishing in north america with it.

Another thing you might want to consider is how you want to reel in the fish. I use both rods and prefer the med. action for twitching wacky rigs. The light action is truly a blast to catch a 2.5 lb. bass on but requires alot of attention casting a 4 or 5 inch senko. The light one also can't be beat for casting small spoons. I use 4 lb. test line on light rod and 6-8 on med action. Good luck fishing

bigegan is right but i preferabbly use the medium action for bass. I have trid both and found i like the medium action better.

i have the plugger gx-7 and i love it. its the a great combo to buy the reel is high quality.

The UL Ugly Stick is a sweet little rod for bluegill and crappie, and it might even be able to handle smaller bass (less than 3 pounds or so). Anything bigger than that, and you should go up to at least a Medium powered rod, at least 6' long IMO.

my first rod was a ugly stik ultra light and i love it man. drag doesnt take that long at all to figure out. i like it for its portability, weight, and fun! you can feel every nibble on ur line and every fish you catch is a nice little fight on this rod. I love it!

I got a shimano spinning reel on mine and its super smooth. make sure when getting a reel you get the right size. on my ultra light i have a shimano 500 and on my light i have a shimano 1000

Having many Ugly's to choose from, I recomend the SPL1100 6'6"medium or a SPL1102 6'0" med to begin with.Either will give you the confidence to chase monsters and landing them with ease. These two poles are the work horses in my arsenal getting the most use daily. Run 8lb test on both for best results. Good Luck and happy fishing.

Yes it would work well I would suggest a light or ultra light for sunfish and reel wise i would go with the crappie max either 6 or 4 lb test goes on these reels and go for 19.99.

Catfisherman1,
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with an Ugly Stik. An Ultra Lite model would be perfect for catching shad and sunfish. I would suggest some type of Shimano reel such as the Spirex or Sedona. I have the Sedona. I have caught hundreds of fish on it, and it has never shown signs of malfunctioning.

this rod works for everything and shad and sunnies are no exceptions
if you want just purchase a combo it comes with the reel and rod obviously so they are already matched up