Ugly Stik GX2 is a top selling option in the middle of the fishing rods price range. Single-piece guides referred to as UglyTuff have a stamped stainless steel design which makes the rod extremely durable and almost impossible to destroy. Weve looked over this guide and still stand by our recommendations. Nice, well balance, strong, with Fuji ceramic rings. Mechanically, the Daiwa BG reels stand head and shoulders above competitors within the same price range for a handful of reasons. Ugly Stik GX2 is the next generation of Ugly Stik, but with the same heritage, strength, and durability of the original. Here the big guide remains on the main blank, unlike the earlier version where the blank carried all the guides. Just in case anything does go wrong, all you need to submit to take advantage of the Ugly Stiks class-leading seven-year warranty is photographic evidence of the damage, your receipt, and $10 to cover shipping. 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. Privacy Statement. Ice fishing culture is far different than open-water fishing. Anyone who has one please let me know how its been with youre fishing, Scan this QR code to download the app now. On 12 Apr 2023 (6 days ago) we went through 78 Fishing Rod expert endorsements , however neither Ugly Stik Bigwater nor Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod were included in any of those recommendations. Though Ive owned and used these rods for nearly two decades, I wont recommend them. The data presented is for information purposes only. The Ugly Stik is one of the company's oldest models of fishing rods, having been around since 1976. I also like to spray me reels with a 1:4 solution of SaltAway:Water. Apart from the Saguaros less durable guides, the primarily graphite rod is more brittle, and less likely to survive a spill or a misplaced foot. Since neither Fishing Rod received a single endorsement, as far as expert recommendations go, it's technically a tie. Thus it doesnt have a bulky appearance like the earlier Ugly Stik models. First off, I had to decide what kind of rod and reel we would focus on, which was an easy choiceif youre going to own only one fishing rod and reel, a spinning-rod-and-reel setup is the most versatile and the easiest to use. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. 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. This makes it comparable in durability to reels that cost twice as much. And by the way, the picture used above is not just for the sake of it. The Daiwa BG series is our reel pick because these reels are built tougher than any similarly priced competition. And finally, one small but brilliant finishing touch: The spool has a small hole drilled in it to prevent rust and allow trapped water to escape. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod $49.95 Buy now. Paired with compatible reels, they offer a decent cast with live bait or lures. As a kid growing up fishing for little panfish on my favorite farm pond, to hiking the rocky mountains in search of trout, to today when I am stalking the inshore waters of SW Florida, the Ugly Stik has always been a dependable and durable rod. That said, if you plan to do a lot of bait fishing from boats, buy a conventional open-faced reel with a more dependable dual drag system. Unless I can get away with ugly stick gx2 combo with Shakespeare reel. You can post now and register later. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod Strong, yet balanced graphite and fiberglass construction Durable ugly tuff one piece stainless steel guides Pre-spooled with 6 pound line Durable and lightweight eva grips 2-piece construction 7-year warranty 7' medium power spinning rod 6-15 pounds test; eva handle 1/8-5/8 ounce; lure weight Check Price About The Ugly Stik fishing rod stands up to misuse and abuse. I was thinking of getting Ugly Stick GX2 6'6 or 7' M rod to replace my Berkleys as a smaller rod I can also use for Bass and of the Pier and then to also get Surf/jetty/inshore rod that is 8-10" M or MH to through 4-6oz sinkers at the beach fitted with 5000/6000 reel size. $260.00 The added stiffness makes the Elite ideal for manipulating lures and giving them action (a fishing term for making lures dance or hobble like wounded prey). In truth, Ugly Stiks can break, but not under normal fishing conditions. The famous Ugly Stik rod has been around since 1976 when William Shakespeare, Jr. found a way to manufacture a lighter rod that was extremely durable and had an ultrasensitive flexible tip. Here we have reviewed both the spinning and the casting model, thus further easing out the process of making a choice for you. The guides have been completely redesigned into a single piece, stamped stainless steel which adds durability to the already rugged design. I highly recommend the GX2 as a perfect entry or beginner rod. Once you are through with the choice of power rating, you can move forward and find the desired length. Ugly Stik fishing rods, like many others, are made from component parts manufactured in Taiwan, China, and Korea. If you take this step, our recommended Ugly Stik GX2 and Daiwa BG combo will serve you well for years to come. Featuring a corrosion resistant graphite body reel with an aluminium forged spool which is braid ready. Graphite + Fiberglass give it a clean matte-black finish. A new development is the Ugly Stik logo at the butt-end of the rod. 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. Benefits to graphite - light, strong, casts further, more sensitive tip. The durable, one piece graphite blank will bend and twist, but won't break. you can either go for a conventional locking system or you can opt for a twist-lock design. If you do happen to be fishing big game, youll likely have to step up in price range, or find a good deal at a garage sale. 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. One of the first things that come to mind for most experienced fisherman when they think of an Ugly Stik is durability and value. 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. 04/18/2023 05:27 am GMT. Now, with a better mindset, let us get to know this wonder in detail!. In my 20-plus years of fishing, Ive come to learn that when youre shopping for fishing rodsas for any toolpaying a little attention to a few key features can be telling before you even pick up one. While generally sturdy, they still dont come anywhere close to Ugly Stiks Ugly Tuff guides. Compared with the similarly priced Ugly Stik models, the Shimano Saguaro is a stiffer graphite composite. Additionally, the more pieces that make up the guide, the more pieces with the potential to fall apart. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod | Best Price at DICK'S Sneaker Release Calendar Pickup & Delivery Services Find Stores Track Order Help MENU south loop Opens at 9:00 AM 60601 Delivery Location My Account Sign In to Earn Points 0 Cart How are we doing? Medium-Light Power Models: Available in lengths ranging from 7 to 76. 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. I found that the tip was just sensitive enough to pass for a bait-fishing rod (though Id still primarily designate it as a lightweight artificial/jigging rod). Strong, yet balanced graphite and fiberglass construction, Durable ugly tuff one piece stainless steel guides. Though such a composition has been a part of the previous rods before, there is increased use of graphite in the GX2. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. There are some other American brands that are as good, but overpriced, and some that are not. If you can only have one fishing rod, make it an Ugly Stik GX2. Just like its predecessor, it was packed with value. You could either opt-in for more sensitivity with a 1-pc blank or a decent enough sensitivity but the ease of carrying the rod around with a 2-pc blank. Your link has been automatically embedded. We expected more out of a $180 reel. I personally love my GX2. 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. Hi my name.is judith and I just bought a shkespear uhly stik GX2 medium 6"6 . Also, a classic diamond winding pattern, colored in silver and red, highlights the rod right above the grip. sensitivity of graphite and durability of fiberglass. You could easily spend $2,000 on a fishing rod if youd like something ultralightweight or designed for a specific species youre targeting, but our pick will get the job done almost as well (if not just as well) most of the time. What is consistently stunning about this rod is the price point. 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. Ugly Stik fishing rods are among the most affordable on the market, yet they have a reputation for being the most durable rods for freshwater and saltwater fishing. Something that is new, is the addition of the Ugly Stik logo in the butt end of the rod. Ugly Stik GX2 rods offer better balance for lighter feel, improved components, and eye-catching cosmetics for a more modern look versus the previous generation. Light Available In 4 Models: A nice choice for catching those trout and panfish where some extra lifting power is required. This ugly stick was priced for the everyday working man, who could not afford expensive rods. Shakespeare makes good reels and rods. The medium-action rod is flimsier as compared to the light-action one on the top. GIVE FEEDBACK 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. Shimanos Saguaro series is every bit as versatile as the Ugly Stik GX2, but the guides are nowhere near as durable as Ugly Stiks Ugly Tuff guides. 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. 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. The lightweight construction, one-piece line guides, and flexible clear tip make this a great rod. That means a semisealed dragfor keeping out water, dirt, and corrosive salt sprayas well as an all-metal body. He wants to ensure you make the right decision for your next shopping day. The amount of drag required varies by fishing method and the species targetedbut if youre not sure, we recommend asking the locals, or going to a bait-and-tackle shop. The Ugly Stik GX2 spinning rod is a favorite among largemouth bass anglers. It has the same great sensitive tip and single piece construction that Ugly Stik fishing rods are known for, but features a long cork grip and medium action so you can muscle up the fish. Theyre functional, and Ive managed to land fairly large fish on them, but theyre brittle and unreliable. 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. It can be called a rod with all-around qualities. Cheap, flimsy aluminum-oxide guides are the industry standard at this price, so its nice to see Pure Fishing, the maker of the Ugly Stik, take durability seriously. 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 . Star Rods Stellar Lite Spinning Rod | Bass Pro $50 from Walmart. Your previous content has been restored. Read the full review of the Star Stellar Lite series HERE. We are currently testing this new model and will update with our results. 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. Check Price The only issue I have with the Triumph (as with almost all other rods that arent Ugly Stiks) concerns the guides. Read about the benefits of SaltAway HERE. We also tested Shimanos Saragosa, a supposed upgrade, but didnt find anything particularly advantageous about it over the Spheros SW. Use it for bass fishing, cranking, jigging, topwater use and youll not be disappointed. I found this video of a guy putting the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 to what I would have to call the ultimate challenge. You can choose out of the following available powers: Imparts extreme sensitivity for setting to the hook and is perfect for catching those small fishes. With twenty-three spinning and fifteen casting models of different lengths, weight and power ratings, the Ugly Stik GX2 features a wide variety of choices depending upon your need and liking. I was a big fan of St. Croixs Triumph spinning rod as an all-around inshore stickits featherlight, well-balanced, and a pleasure to cast all day long. One quick shopping note: Make sure youre buying the spinning rod, not the casting version of the same rod from the same manufacturer. Check BassPro Prices There truly is a better garden hose for you. These rods are made to handle large fishes and can really provide some serious power while battling. Buy at Amazon Thats still a lot of drag for most In other words, you dont need much drag to cover a wide variety of fish. While other rods have come and gone, my Ugly Stiks which were bought in the 80's and 90's are all still around. Very high levels of customer satisfaction. I found the Battalion to be somewhat lightweight for its action and recommended line weight, which you could easily solve by ordering the next weight up (for example, if you want a medium action rod, order the Battalion in medium heavy). So you ask yourself whats new with the GX2? Thick foam grip reduces some sensitivity. With the rod settled, we looked into reels, which are a lot more complicated since they have so many moving parts. 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. As our former runner-up pick, the Penn Battle II reel offers build quality and durability comparable to those of models costing $150 or more. No expert reviews linked yet for Ugly Stik Bigwater. Read This Before Posting! Ugly Stik GX2 is the next generation of Ugly Stik rods that combines the heritage and tradition of the original while maintaining the strength and durability Ugly Stiks are known for. 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