07-25-2003, 11:54 AM
[cool]As with most rods, reels, lures, lines and other elements of our fishing systems, the Ugly Sticks are both loved and hated. My observation is that they are favored more by those who do not have the fishing background and experience to appreciate the lightness, strength and sensitivity of a quality graphite rod. Instead, they want a rod that feels strong, and won't break easily when they abuse it on snags or big fish. That is the whole sales "pitch" for Ugly Sticks. They don't break easily.
Most serious fishermen I know share your feelings that the Ugly Stick is too heavy and has no sensitivity. Since it is a "composite" rod, with a lot of glass in the blank, it definitely is heavier than graphite. It is also far less sensitive to the lightest "ticks" of finicky fish. Like yourself, I prefer to be able to feel the action of a lure while I am retrieving it, and to be able to tell when something has interrupted that action...like a fish.
I have owned 2 Ugly Sticks. The first one I won, in a fishing contest. It was a 6 1/2 foot medium heavy action spinning rod. I fished with it only once, before putting it in my "spare rods" corner and eventually giving it to one of my sons. The other Ugly Stick was one I bought, in anticipation of relocating to a coastal location. It was a 10 foot heavy surf fishing rod, that I bought from a friend, at a price I could not resist. When my potential relocation did not happen, I sold the rod to someone else, without ever using it.
It is unfortunate that you did not have the opportunity to try the rod before purchasing it. In this country, we are fortunate to have large stores in most cities that have long racks of rods from which to choose. It is possible to put a reel on one and get a feel for the weight, balance and action, before spending your money and finding out you made a poor choice.
One potential solution is to make your own rods. As you will seen in some of my posts, I make most of my rods. It is not just because I can make them for less money, but because I can carefully select the exact length and action I want...and then choose my guides, handle and wrappings to suit my preferences. Just as importantly, I can be sure the placement of the guides is exactly where they should be, to match the action of the rod.
I'm sorry I could not be more encouraging. My best suggestion is to advertise your Ugly Stick at a fair price and try to find someone who does not have the same likes as you do...who wants only a strong heavy rod. It is better to cut your losses, and pay for your experience, than to blame yourself for making a bad decision for too many years.
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Most serious fishermen I know share your feelings that the Ugly Stick is too heavy and has no sensitivity. Since it is a "composite" rod, with a lot of glass in the blank, it definitely is heavier than graphite. It is also far less sensitive to the lightest "ticks" of finicky fish. Like yourself, I prefer to be able to feel the action of a lure while I am retrieving it, and to be able to tell when something has interrupted that action...like a fish.
I have owned 2 Ugly Sticks. The first one I won, in a fishing contest. It was a 6 1/2 foot medium heavy action spinning rod. I fished with it only once, before putting it in my "spare rods" corner and eventually giving it to one of my sons. The other Ugly Stick was one I bought, in anticipation of relocating to a coastal location. It was a 10 foot heavy surf fishing rod, that I bought from a friend, at a price I could not resist. When my potential relocation did not happen, I sold the rod to someone else, without ever using it.
It is unfortunate that you did not have the opportunity to try the rod before purchasing it. In this country, we are fortunate to have large stores in most cities that have long racks of rods from which to choose. It is possible to put a reel on one and get a feel for the weight, balance and action, before spending your money and finding out you made a poor choice.
One potential solution is to make your own rods. As you will seen in some of my posts, I make most of my rods. It is not just because I can make them for less money, but because I can carefully select the exact length and action I want...and then choose my guides, handle and wrappings to suit my preferences. Just as importantly, I can be sure the placement of the guides is exactly where they should be, to match the action of the rod.
I'm sorry I could not be more encouraging. My best suggestion is to advertise your Ugly Stick at a fair price and try to find someone who does not have the same likes as you do...who wants only a strong heavy rod. It is better to cut your losses, and pay for your experience, than to blame yourself for making a bad decision for too many years.
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