Ugly Stik Fishing Pole/Reel Combo???

Question

I'm planning on buying a fishing pole soon, but I'm new at fishing. Thinking of getting one of the Ugly Stiks.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5913248

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2649854&cp=&pg=2&sr=1&origkw=ugly+stik&kw=ugly+stik&parentPage=search

I was wondering which one was a better deal and if they were worth the money. If not, what other brands do you recommend? I'm probably not going to spend over $40 on my first fishing pole.

Answer 1

I've got two ugly stick rods and use them all the time for redfish when fishing on the surf or off the jeddies in galveston,tx. I've found them to be great rods and can handly any inshore fish.Also I bought them at wal-mart because I found that they had the best price (lowest). I have a Abu-Garcia 6500 reel on both rods.I've found that to be a good combination.Good luck,and full stringers.

Answer 2

I like the ugly stick poles -same ugly stick poles you will find at Wal-Mart / basspro or cabelas.... I never buy one of their combos though...

I prefer to get my own reel - Shimano or if you don't mind getting a used reel a Garcia Mitchell 300 / 308 / 400 or 408  saltwater 302 they last forever - tried and true. (Ebay)

Ugly sticks used to be junk because you could never get any warranty support from shakespeare - they have improved the product and the support.

I have Ugly sticks I used in fresh and saltwater....and I have Penn too...it's all about what you feel comfortable with....

Good luck fishing.....remember just because you paid more for something doesn't mean it's necessarily any better than the one you got a "deal" on....brand names don't always mean quality.....

I own eight ugly sticks, two of which are salt water surf rods, no complaints here.

Answer 3

Not wantin' ta' spend over 40 bucks and what with your bein' new ta' fishin' ~ you'll be fine with the Ugly Stik. Been fishin' longer than a' lot of Answer's ppl have been around and to this day do not understand the down play of the Ugly Stik?? For the price, quality and just the fact that Shakespeare has been around for a lonnng time, I mean come on!? I've got a regular arsenal of rods/reels and I'm talkin' the best brand names, that the MS's will have nothin' ta' do with ~ swears by them/her US's (she knows bout' fishin'!!!) ;)...Shakespeare has made improvements to their US rod with the "Lite Series" ~ lil' more monie$ (not that much) but well worth it. As for the better deal, might give thought in payin' a' visit ta' Walmart and see first hand what they've got on their shelves, sides that you'd be savin' the $'s on the S&H. Also, might suggest a Spincast reel for just startin' out ~ easier learnin' how to cast em". Have provided 2 links, one be for the spincast type riggin' and the other for just bout' everything regardin' fishin' that the beginner should know ie., the different type rods and reels, lines, castin', baits, lures,  freshwater fish species, etc., etc.. Hope that this helps ya' out and good luck ; ) ... < ' ( (( > <

Personal note: I personally do not shop/patronize "Wally World" aka Walmart because of their monopolization over the privately owned Bait & Tackle Shops ~ far as that goes, any and all other business's butttt, that be just me ;)...

Spincast (picked this one at random):

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

Fundamentals of Fishing:

http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/fishing/sit...

Answer 4

I myself own a 6' Ugly Stik combo and have never had a problem with it.It's not the greatest fishing pole out there but it is the best value you're gonna find anywhere for under $40.I've caught fish up to 5 pounds (carp and bass) with no problems at all.The reel is very smooth and the drag system works excellent.People can say all they want about spending ridiculous amounts of money but unless you're fishing for 50 pound catfish or something similar you're not gonna need something expensive to start out.

Take advice from people like me that actually owned and still use their Ugly Stik combo.Not those elitist idiots who have never had an Ugly Stik and seem to think you need a $500 rod and reel to catch a 3lb bass.

Answer 5

i got that same ugly stick from wal-mart...and do not get it, i caught a 10lb carp..the line broke...the fiberglass of the rod at the top started to tear from the bend and the metal bottom line holder broke off of the rod, go to cabelas or bass pro shops, im sure they have good quality combos at a good price.

Answer 6

Stay away from the ugly stick !I can't stress that enough. If you are looking not to spend a lot of money then check out shakespear excursion rods. They are awesome for the money ( $14.00 ). I actually use these rods in tournaments and they give me the sensitivity  I need to feel light strikes as well as the durability of graphite.

Match it up with a Shimano reel... The only advise I have for selecting a descent reel is 1. make sure it has a smooth retrieve. 2. when you try to spin the reel in reverse it should not let you... the less play you have the better.

Answer 7

I would tell you to spend about $60.00 and get you a good one.  

But if you only want to spend 40 i would say to get you this Combo at Bass Pro.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...

And get the  38-951-002-00 or the 38-951-006-00

If you need any help getting the right baits for what you are fishing  i am always here to help anyone  just ask. i have used just about everything on the market Saltwater and Freshwater

Answer 8

then buy a rod mate. Because I was told by a world class angler that if you use a reel, you use a rods to hold it and poles are an expression for Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn

Answer 9

i dont know how people can blame the line snaps and reel brakes on the ugly stick...the line brakes becuase you dont know how to figh the fish...the reel brakes because you dont know how to take care of it...i have over six ugly sticks ranging from 5'6" to 12'...they dont have any problems...ive used them for fresh and salt water fishing with out a problem...my fisrt three where from walmart.....ive used the 6'6" for striper all the time....able to use it for crappie and trout all the way to 15lb stripers without a problem...my current favorite is the 9 foot mh ugly stick....pulled in a 22lb striper last week...and ive used it to pull in a 38" leopard shark last month....its all on how you use it and take care of it...i like the ugly sticks...its cheap on price but better than most 150 to 300 poles....especially from bass pro....

Answer 10

you definatley have the right brand ugly stix's are amazing the one texas whatever showed the exact pole i have. it is from walmart and it is amazin caught many things on that pole even a HUGE carp and catfish. it will bend a full circle before it breaks if you get a decent one.

Answer 11

Well the reason the last poster loves them and some of the other didnt was because the last poster likes to fish for larger game fish..as opposed to bass. Personally I love Ugly Stik rods and I amt eh same as the last poster.. But I am a cat fisherman. Depending on what it is you are fishing pole should help you determine the pole you should get.

If you are wanting to catch Bass....go with a lighter reel/rod/line combo. For catfish...it doesnt matter how big you get.

I run a Ugly Stik Tiger with a Penn 320 Gti Reel.

Good luck in your new venture though.

for some good fishing deals please checkout my website at www.getfishing.net Weare an Amazon affiliate. Just use our search on the left hand side to find everything you need for your next fishing trip!

Answer 12

dont get a walmart pole if theres a gander mountain or bass pro sjops go there they have poles for the price u want