Bass face

Congrats! Get as good as you can with that set up, save your $, and get a better set up. 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

Jimbo Loc: Sebastian, FL

Mako98, I'm no fan of the Ugly Stik but I'm wondering, um...why are you selling "pieces of junk" in your store?

Bass face

Ya, what’s the deal with all these Ugly Stik proponents? They truly are a “ bottom of the barrel “ fishing pole! It totally bums me out when some hack, gets into an impressionable young beginners head, and convinces him/her, that an Ugly Stik is the way to go! There are sooooo many superior rods on the market at a very reasonable price! 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

I started using spinning reels back in the 60's when I first discovered spinnerbaits. I couldn't keep a spinnerbait skimming the surface with any other type of reel. I started with a berkley then went to the Mitchell 300. They didn't get any better than the mitchell but later i found the DAM Quick reels. They outformed the mitchell. After my senior trip to Southeast Asia my sister's boyfriend went fishing with me. He carried 1 of those stinking backlashes, an abu Garcia 5000. He could cast a lure further than I could & reel line in fast enough to keep a spinnerbait on the surface. I decided I needed a baitcaster. When I finally got one boyfriend was history & I had no one to teach me what to do. No You tube back then. I backlashed that thing a million times in my backyard. I'd get hacked off & put the thing away for weeks. I tried different lines & adjusted the daylights out of that reel before i could use it good enough to try & fish it. I knew the baitcaster had potential that a spinning reel didn't.
I stayed with it & learned to use a baitcaster. I didn't quit the spinning reel, they're my go to for lighter work. I like the baitcasters from shimano, diawa & Lew's & the same goes for spinning reels. All 3 companies make junk reels packaged & sold In box stores & other discount outlets. I don't own one of those models. If you're going to buy a reel, buy a good one. Buy good line. If you're casting spinners use a good ball bearing swivel to help eliminate line twist. Keep the spool tension knob on your baitcaster adjusted properly for every lure you tie on. You can learn to use a baitcaster but, you've got to be determined to learn. The old question of which type of reel is best has an answer. I don't fly fish & haven't used a flyreel. Some fisherman will tell you the flyreel is best.
It may very well be. I'll just have to be content using a 2nd rate baitcaster.

Bass face

Yes sir... you’ve obviously put in the time and energy to learn how to be a better angler over the years... good for you! The reels you’ve mentioned are just fine. As with anything in life, why settle or be comfortable with mediocre or lesser tackle!? Some people like to stay average & mediocre. Some people like to experiment and strive to grow as people and improve in their chosen hobbies. One can spend his/her life fishing with a cane pole, bobber, & hook... or one can start with a cane pole, and end up winning the Bassmaster Classic. Both are fun, sure... just two different avenues that are open to us all. Have fun with your Ugly Stik. Then decide what kind of fisherman you really want to be. Stuck in the mud, or always learning, studying, and advancing in the sport. It’s a Billion dollar industry. Opportunities abound. You don’t have to be the guy selling Ugly Stiks to 10 year old kids. If you don’t want too. But you ain’t gonna win a FLW tour event with one. 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

Mr bass face, I do have a couple ugly sticks. I paired them with some older abu garcia reels & use them for trolling or drift fishing only. I have never broken an ugly stick but I've had them doubled over when hung up & i didn't react fast enough. They're much too heavy to pair with a good reel & spend the day casting a lure. I'll clamp my shimano to a g loomis, st chroix or whatever rod i feel is comfortable in my hand & weight must be minimal. Also I want at least 9 eyes on a 7 ft rod. I bought a very expensive Kesseler rod last year but couldn't get along with the micro eyes.

Bass face

Ya, I get it. My buddies and I had Ugly Stiks when we were kids ( early 80’s ). I couldn’t imagine using one theses days as I make 1000 casts on a given day on the water... I bought a 11’ Penn rod for surf fishing in Mexico. Nice rod but quite heavy. After casting a 3oz lure for awhile ( 30min ) it felt like my shoulder was going to explode! I guess the rod would’ve worked fine for casting bait and sticking it in a rod holder. But I only use lures. Moral of the story... every tool has a specific application 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

Ken B

I have 6 Ugly Sticks and one of them is over 50 years old and still looks brand new. The other 5 are comparatively new and I doubt I will ever own anything other than an Ugly Stick due to its durability and how comfortable it is overall. The one I have that is 50 years old was my very first rod and I was so impressed with its toughness and sensitivity I have never held another brand of rod over the years since I have been fishing. There are I am sure some fine rods in the market but I will never know which ones they are.

Bass face

Cuz ya never tried! Some people advance, some don’t. No big deal. Some are curious, some are comfortable. Some like to see how good they can get, some just don’t care. Some challenge themselves, some don’t bother. I could fish with a beer can and 50 yards of mono wrapped around it...and catch fish! Ugly Stiks are just fine for some, and a joke to others! All depends on your angling aspersions. 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣