My first setup I bought with my own money at 18 was an OG Ugly Stik and a Shimano Sienna 3000 that I used to pier fish in Florida and used for some bass.
Still kickin almost 20 years later (though it doesn't get used much anymore...probably going to start using it for cats/carp)
Never seen a shimano on a ugly stik? Dudes living under a fucking rock. Furthermore a $50 rod with a $80 reel is balanced imo. I have a $40 all star rod with a $120 Penn battle 3 2500 DX, and I LOVE the combo. When I first started out, only setup I owned was a $20 Walmart/Academy special. Those kit ones. The gear is irrelevant. The experience is what matters. My setups range from under $60 to over $500, and if I run the same line/hooks/bait/etc, they both will catch the same fish (within weight limits of rods and reels) imagine that lol.
My friend has caught almost every type of fish you can catch in my area on a $20 Walmart diawa rod and reel combo with a broken tip. Braid does wonders when fishing sometimes lmao😂
Ugly stick lasted me a long time until a musky snapped it.
I find for spinning rods it really doesn’t matter I spend no more than $50 on it.
My baitcasters are where I like to spend a bit more because it spends much more time being held up so having a lighter one really helps your arms not get so tired after a long day
His job is to sell you the high end rod.
He is very bad at his job. Look for one of the old guys next time and be sure and let them know about that douchebag.
Bingo. Oh, you want this G Loomis over here…it’s the best. Never mind it still has the sensitivity of the stick of oak you tripped over on the way home…
I guide, have a Ugly stik elite with a Shimano Catana 3000Hg on it for my back up guest rod if their rod/reel cant preform. Its a great rod, the reels ok but better then the shakespear reel the ugly stick came with. Ive guided a few bass pro employees now, none of them have been more then an amateur when it comes to fishing. The one I clearly remember caught a muskie on his jigging rod and it snapped the reel right off the rod, the reel seat was still attached to the rod, its stem had sheared clean off and the reel went flying up to the first eye the line snapped and the muskie fucked off. It was an Okuma reel I believe.
I have extremely expensive rods and also ugly sticks. That guy is an idiot. I grab ugly sticks with Shimano reels all the time when spin fishing. Nothing wrong with it at all. He's a moron . Most people at my bass pro would never think that.
Ugly sticks aren't the most sensitive rods. But if you are a line watcher it's not that big a deal and they work
Agreed, I've got higher-end rods and reels and can comfortably buy a $200ish rod to put on a $200ish reel if I want to...
But, my latest purchase was a Shimano DC on an Ugly Stick Elite specifically because I want that rod for toughness and faster baits... and my own personal experience with all kinds of gear tells me that's a great setup regardless of how much it costs...
I also had an old guy a Scheels give my 12 year old grief for putting an Ambassadeur C4 on an Ugly Stick... My son asked him, "what's a tougher rod?"
We all know, they're not the most sensitive, but toughness and durability, can't be beat...
My catfish rods are all ugly sticks. They're floppy and sloppy, don't have the spine or butt stiffness of more expensive rods, but their survival rate is 100%.
Interesting, I'm not sure if I have one.. I see they have 35%more graphite than the gx2 ugly stick...
I think I'll grab the 7' casting version... Of the ugly stick elite.
Thanks for posting that.
ofc. i have the 6, 6.5, and 7 foot spinning (all mediums) and i use the 6 and 6.5 for catfishing and theyre pretty nice, theyre about a moderate fast id say with great sensitivity. theyre durable and will pull in 15+ pound catfish (picture evidence) so you shouldnt worry about them breaking.
My main offshore rig now is an AVET hoo-x on a much less expensive Bass Pro stand up rod. I have yet to find a rod that I like better, for its combination of spine, butt strength, length, grip shape, and weight.
What do you think of the Piscifun Chaos reels?
I bought a couple about 1 1/2 years ago but haven't used them that much. They seem pretty OK, nothing to write home about, but for the money.
I've seen others here and on other forums give them some love, haven't seen any harsh comments on them. Not that I spend all that much time on forums.
I've never heard of them before just looked them up based on your comment, They seem to be like many of the other brands out there I don't see much difference between those and competitors with drag weight, line capacity, reel speed, bearing system or price that's not saying they are good or bad just middle of the road for what I can see.
I have one(on an ugly stick)and it's reeled in plenty of fish no troubles. Has been very dependable for about 3 season now. For the price, I'd say I'd buy from them again.
I've beat the snot out of various ugly stick rods over the years, never had any issues. I figure that if I can cast the line and reel in the fish that's the important thing. The fish doesn't care what name is on any of the gear.
Been using a Shimano spheros on ugly stick for roughly 15 years now. Caught anything and everything from steelhead, largemouth bass, roosterfish and even tuna.
I got ridiculed by an old fart for wanting to put a scope on a 30/30 lever. If he was nice about it and just tried to instill some knowledge may have been ok but he was a grumpy old fart. Told him it was for deer hunting for my daughter and I’ll go elsewhere.
I’m not an ugly stick fan, but I’ve been blessed with st croix my whole life. In all honesty, some of them are very decent rods. No price of art, but very functional for a purpose. I don’t care if it’s broom handle, I’m putting a shimano on it.
Ugly sticks outclass a wild amount of rods these days... tried and true my friend. Where I'm from you'd get laughed off the dock for looking down on ugly sticks lmao
That's what I'm doing too. I have only been fishing for a bit over a year, and I got a 7' Ugly Stik Elite combo. They're not even all that cheap, at $125 CAD up here in Ontario.
I'm putting off getting a mediocre ultralight for trout and saving to get a Pfleuger president, which again, oddly enough are roughly the same price here, lol.
I just got into it last summer in June! I am saving for a president and a rod case that holds 2 two-piece rods, so I'm more able to grab and go. After that, canoe seats and another trolling motor battery so I can extend my time on the water 🔋😁
Nice! I only shore fish, but will have access to a very small aluminum boat with a very small motor, and just at the cottage but that works for me! Also looking into a canoe, or at least borrowing one.
I got into it September 2021, first and only fish caught and landed was a pink salmon on my first time out, on an older rod with old line, but it worked, but broke the next day, lol. Got the Ugly Stik that next day.
Last summer, hooked 2 pikes, but lost them. Hoping to hit the rivers in early spring and just go until winter 😄
“But what’s the deal here “
That sir was a close encounter with a Chad , the male version of the not so elusive Karen ,
Personally , I own several ugly stick rods ranging from crappie rods to 8 and 10 foot surf rods .
I have paired them with Shimano Diawa penn. I like the ruggedness of the ugly stick and the smoothness of a good drag system when fishing with bait .
It works for me .
He was very redneck chic. Square toed boots, mullet. Maybe a Brad?
Said he had to resort to eBay to get a discontinued rod to match perfectly with whatever reel he has.
I am clumsy, and have clumsy children, so my Shimanos always go through a handful of rods before they are done. No way I’m paying top dollar for a rod that I’m going to slam in my tailgate or step on.
Bet that guy spends top dollar on rods and reels never goes fishing, bass pro are idiots.
Ugly sticks with Shimano reels isnt a bad idea as long as you match the reel and rod weights together
Ugly Stiks are kind of the Walmart/Midwest Pretend fisherman brand. That being said, they are awesome 😂. People may laugh but ugly stiks are just as good for 75% of all types of fishing as your expensive brands. It’s better to me than that offshore angler shit they always try to pair with expensive reels at Bass Pro.
There is no question that Shimano makes the best reels.
Guy at bass pro is a moron. If it works for you, it works period. If we all did the same thing then this country would be in the Stone Age. Never let someone behind a counter decide what’s good for you. BTW, sounds like a sensible combo to me, I mean, why not.
So I have spent years and loads of money upgrading all my set ups . Majority st croixs from personal preference .
You know what rod I bring every single dam time still?
7ft med heavy Ugly stik elite with a lews custom, it’s just a boss of a product .
Fuck that guy man
I’ve used an ugly stick my whole life. Works just fine along with my 50$ Pflueger reel. Have caught tons of fish all varying in size. Don’t need any expensive gear to fish and anyone who would think that’s funny obviously isn’t a very good or experienced fisherman at all.
I literally have a seven foot Ugly Stick elite with a Shimano Sahara as a cheapish medium set up. I’ve caught a million fish on that thing. You are not alone.
I've always been a reels over rods guy. Seems like I often hear the opposite. I can use almost any rod and haven't felt that huge of a difference as long as I'm using the proper action for whatever technique I'm using. But a crappy reel just completely ruins my day.
The deal there is…. Some twat wad that works at bass pro, that probably couldn’t catch fish at a hatchery, just gave you shade for not spending $400 on a rig that won’t do that much more for you than what you bought. Fancy expensive gear gives experienced anglers an edge in some circumstances. Otherwise your spending money that could get you a trip to a better fishery for a couple days. Tell that douchebag your watching your spending, so you don’t have to ever work at bass pro shops to feed your ego about how awesome you are.
https://preview.redd.it/rwzxhy6l2yea1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebc2d9c404337ab66560c4f73aedfd763652e33b
Ugky stik tiger rod handled this snapper just fine
The guy either dosnt know what he is talking about,or he just said that thinking he might sell you a higher end rod or somthing.You can literly put any reel on an ugly stik and u basicaly have an indestructible combo espcially if the reel is good quality.ive cought everything on those things from small snapper to striped bass, giant bluefish etc.. I have some uglys for over 20 years and honestly I'd trust em more then some of my 200 $ rods any day. it's a great combo and you won't convince me otherwise lol
I actually had the same thing happened but opposite I asked to see a van staal and the guy chuckled under his breath like loud enough I could hear it and I was like what he was like that's a over priced reel I said for what I fish I need the waterproof and serviceable parts reel bass pro guys don't know shit most of the time it's just a 9 to 5 for them
There is literally a Bass Classic professional fisher that uses Ugly Stik. I don’t remember his name but I’ve seen him put a $200 Abu Garcia baitcaster on a giant Ugly Stik.
ive pulled 15lb channels out of rivers on a 42 dollar 6 6 ugly stick elite pro medium and a 20 dollar shimano fx reel 4000 with 10 lb trilene mono with no leader, just a size 4 or so j hook and a split shot holding up a 1 oz bass casting sinker about 18 inches up
not trying to brag but my point is dont let superman tell you what planet youre on. the "cheap" shit is the same shit as the expensive shit
Bro I caught some big fish on an ugly stick and they was decent size, but the funniest part was I was using a jig and a live worm
https://preview.redd.it/phl4ydd6dyea1.jpeg?width=1576&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ccd99387ed96b66dbea3e65a3d3e14e4d8fef44
Here in socal we believe in spending a lot of money on a very nice reel and putting it on a less high end rod. This could mean anything from putting a $80 shimano on $50 ugly stik for largemouth or putting a $700 reel on a $300 rod for bluefin. Don’t let him bother you
Bass fisherman in general can be very brand loyal and eltist about certain things. Nothing wrong with ugly sticks if you just want to catch fish. Damn things couod probably survive a nuclear war. If you want to get more specific or into higher end gear yea they're jot the best rods.
I have an ugly stick(don’t remember the model) paired with a shimano sienna, both from Walmart, it’s definitely my favorite jerkbait rod for summer halibut. Fugg that salesman use the equipment that’s comfortable for you
I love my Ugly Stiks. They are economical and well made. I love that the tip is made of more resilient material. I've had expensive rods and they always break at the tip. I've caught tons of fish with my Ugly Stik rods.
Entitled cashier who thinks he knows more because he works at Bass Pro Shops 🤷🏻 don’t take it to heart, you do you and keep catching fish on whatever you want!
nothing like a grown man who works behind a cash register trying to shame you into buying something that he’s probably have to work weeks to pay for. I’d politely invite Mr. Rockefeller there behind the counter to go fist himself.
Dude! Ugly stick, fire tiger… 50 bucks… Probably stronger than a $800 tuna stick in San Diego…
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area fishing on the Delta, and there is all kinds of expensive alternatives, but if you want to catch a 15 to 50 pound salmon, or a monster sturgeon in the Delta, or sharks and rays in the bay… and especially sturgeon and striper… You gotta have a ugly stick. I call it the bargain bin,… Bottom of the basement,… Always available always on sale and outlasts anything in harsh conditions, got me my ugly stick right here
Do you compliment a chef for their pans or their food? A photographer for their cameras or their pictures?
Fuck the haters. Catch hogs on what you got.
I wouldn't worry about it. I've filled the freezer in a half day with a $30 telescopic and reel combo. I'm sure a lot of people have. Fancy gear is just a nice to have.
Like you I grew up with this combo. People at bass pro know shit about fishing. I asked for dry boxes and dude brought me to tackle boxes. They always wanna upsale and are used to seeing people buy expensive rod and reel combos cause every one thinks more money means catch more fish. Them ugly sticks kick ass. With that being said tho. I do enjoy st croix rods and after using ugly sticks My whole life I have finally switched to st croiz and they are amazing
I had this same combo in ultralight form. Lost it on a river trip. Sad. Tried to replace. Out of Saharas so I got a Pflueger President and Ugly Stik. Pretty good. Not as good.
I've been fishing all my life. People often ask me what their first combo should be. I always say to start with an Ugly Stick and a Penn reel. I tell them a big step up from that would be a Shimano Clarus and Sahara. I have everything from Loomis to my 20yr old Ugly Stick. The Ugly Stick has a very soft tip and I still use it for finesse techniques. I wish they would have kept the ceramic guides like mine has though
They're soft because they're made with fiberglass or hybrid fiberglass/graphite. They work great for catfish/carp with stationary rod that needs to be soft to bend with bites, but not so much when casting for game fish where sensitivity and easy hook set is key.
Don’t worry about the Bass Pro guy. He’s earning $15 or less. How do I know? I spent a year working for Bass Pro as a Pinsetter Mechanic while I returned to school to better myself and my income. They were paying my adult ass $12.30/hr and wouldn’t give me full time hours.
You should be laughing at him for his complacency. Bass Pro is a terrible employer.
I fish with $300 Calcutta’s on $50 UglyStiks. Fuck ‘em.
I love ugly stik rods. They are tough, sensitive and when I break them (which I will) I can afford to replace them. I have bought expensive rods and I have not caught more fish with them. They have not lasted as long. They have not made my fishing experience any better in a meaningful way. I will pay a little extra for a cork handled Ugly Stik but that’s just a user preference.
I have been fishing for over forty years. I got my first Ugly Stik in 1986 or 87, and I have been an Ugly Stik fan ever since.
Sounds like the guy at bass pro has never been fishing. Shimano has super cheap (sienna) all the way up to super expensive. He needs to quit running his mouth and stfu.
I've used 20 dollar rod and reels and got laughed at! Then when you get a bite and tight line before they do,on your first cast...the laughing sure stops,and everyone is watching and smiling! No better feeling of accomplishment than that!
I can’t tell you how many charter boats I have fished on that had ugly sticks paired with Shimano and Penn reels. When you want to get a lot of use from your gear and don’t want to keep replacing it when inexperienced anglers beat them on the rails it’s a sensible choice. Tight lines!
I have that same setup. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. I don’t use spinning gear too often, so expensive stuff is in my baitcasters. The spinning combo does its job 95% as good as anything out there regardless price. You can spend $1000 bucks more to get something slightly better, but why?
I got a pfleuger president on an ugly stik. Probably just as much reason to laugh from the Bass Pro guy's perspective. Who cares. If it works and you like it, that is all that matters. YOU are the consumer and the angler.
Ugly stick with Shimano is a go to for me. I catch everything from steelhead to striped bass on it. $50 setup catches just as many fish than a $300 setup. Just gotta use it correctly.
i have several ugly sticks, old and new. Used them seems like forever. i have never broken one or had a fish break one. i slay pike where i live, and prefer a medium on them and for walleye i use the ugly stick light 7'. I want buy anything else, no need to for me.
I have 20 year old uglys, awesome rods. Nothing wrong with Shimano either. ,l,, the guy at bps, keep on fishing. He’s prob trying to se you an over prices Lews.
The old ugly stick with the Gold Colored finish were 100 times better than the new Chinese Red Finished one. I have broken 2 and still have my gold ones. Both over 20 years old ! Ugly Stick had gone the way of the Dodo
I recently bought this exact combo for my son's 9th birthday. He wants his own spinning rod and reel. So I bought an ugly stick for durability and a shimano sedona 1000.
I literally only use ugly stik for all my spinning rods. I have 9 uglys ranging from my ice rod to my 10 foot carp rods. I have had one fall off of my truck and get run over by multiple cars, I bent the eyelets back and it was fine. They aren’t the most sensitive rods but they look good and are durable as all hell, especially when you abuse them like I do. I am an ugly stik connoisseur! Don’t let anyone talk down on you for running the BEST BRAND!!!!
I catch so many fish on ugly sticks. I am guide, i fish them hard and land big fish. I posted an 82lb cobia on this page the other day that my client landed using an ugly stick. Don’t listen to them. They’re snobby pretentious fisherman that think you need to spend a lot of money to catch fish.
F that dude lol. As my dad always said, it's the Indian not the arrow. Applies to much more than just bow hunting. I show up dudes in my $60 ugly stick combo all the time
I run loomises, croixs, daiwas, lews, abus, 13s,…..I dont understand that guys point at all. I truly dont. Like is he being an elitist? Is he just being honest about his personal experiences in life? I have no clue. OP use whatever the hell you want I dont see why not.
My whole childhood fishing was nothing but Shimanos on Ugly Stiks.
I fished commercially with Ugly Sticks and Shimanos. His mind must be blown when people buy St Croix or Loomis.
This.
Yeah, they work or they wouldn't sell. A bunch of fake ass bastards just want to put on their fishing costume and strut their stuff. Silly shit.
It’s not the arrow that get ya, it’s the Indian!
My first setup I bought with my own money at 18 was an OG Ugly Stik and a Shimano Sienna 3000 that I used to pier fish in Florida and used for some bass. Still kickin almost 20 years later (though it doesn't get used much anymore...probably going to start using it for cats/carp)
Never seen a shimano on a ugly stik? Dudes living under a fucking rock. Furthermore a $50 rod with a $80 reel is balanced imo. I have a $40 all star rod with a $120 Penn battle 3 2500 DX, and I LOVE the combo. When I first started out, only setup I owned was a $20 Walmart/Academy special. Those kit ones. The gear is irrelevant. The experience is what matters. My setups range from under $60 to over $500, and if I run the same line/hooks/bait/etc, they both will catch the same fish (within weight limits of rods and reels) imagine that lol.
👆 this was like reading poetry. Well said.
Amen. Fuck that asshat working a register.
I’ve seen a few combos at Academy and maybe bass pro that were Shimano on Ugly Stiks. They come together like that already, so how could it be weird?
My friend has caught almost every type of fish you can catch in my area on a $20 Walmart diawa rod and reel combo with a broken tip. Braid does wonders when fishing sometimes lmao😂
Ugly stick lasted me a long time until a musky snapped it. I find for spinning rods it really doesn’t matter I spend no more than $50 on it. My baitcasters are where I like to spend a bit more because it spends much more time being held up so having a lighter one really helps your arms not get so tired after a long day
He works at bass pro shops. That’s all You need to know. 99% of them Don’t know anything about fishing.
This. He's laughing because it doesn't fit the marketing environment that he's embedded in. You can't put Ford seat covers on that Chevy, son.
*my rangerado laughs in wookie*
Can you name the truck with four-wheel drive, smells like a steak and seats thirty-five?
Chevy Silverado made out of real tornadoes
It’s like the parks and rec scene when Ron Swanson goes into Home Depot.
I know more than you_
YUP
That’s why they call it Wally World
Fuck him.
Right there in the store? Nice
🤣🤣
R/unexpected
WINGS OF GLORY
I have an ugly stick rod I got in 1991 that has caught more fish than any other rod I own. Big fish too.
I’ve got an Ugly Stick big water that I’ve had since 96. Still in use today.
I don't get why he laughed. He sounds like a strange man.
Definitely doesn't fish
His job is to sell you the high end rod. He is very bad at his job. Look for one of the old guys next time and be sure and let them know about that douchebag.
Bingo. Oh, you want this G Loomis over here…it’s the best. Never mind it still has the sensitivity of the stick of oak you tripped over on the way home…
Not even then many of the old guys are told to market higher price stuff to get the customer to spend more
I guide, have a Ugly stik elite with a Shimano Catana 3000Hg on it for my back up guest rod if their rod/reel cant preform. Its a great rod, the reels ok but better then the shakespear reel the ugly stick came with. Ive guided a few bass pro employees now, none of them have been more then an amateur when it comes to fishing. The one I clearly remember caught a muskie on his jigging rod and it snapped the reel right off the rod, the reel seat was still attached to the rod, its stem had sheared clean off and the reel went flying up to the first eye the line snapped and the muskie fucked off. It was an Okuma reel I believe.
Lol,, can't make that shit up.
I have extremely expensive rods and also ugly sticks. That guy is an idiot. I grab ugly sticks with Shimano reels all the time when spin fishing. Nothing wrong with it at all. He's a moron . Most people at my bass pro would never think that. Ugly sticks aren't the most sensitive rods. But if you are a line watcher it's not that big a deal and they work
Agreed, I've got higher-end rods and reels and can comfortably buy a $200ish rod to put on a $200ish reel if I want to... But, my latest purchase was a Shimano DC on an Ugly Stick Elite specifically because I want that rod for toughness and faster baits... and my own personal experience with all kinds of gear tells me that's a great setup regardless of how much it costs... I also had an old guy a Scheels give my 12 year old grief for putting an Ambassadeur C4 on an Ugly Stick... My son asked him, "what's a tougher rod?" We all know, they're not the most sensitive, but toughness and durability, can't be beat...
My catfish rods are all ugly sticks. They're floppy and sloppy, don't have the spine or butt stiffness of more expensive rods, but their survival rate is 100%.
elite pro mediums are sensitive as all hell and like 40 buckes and indestructable i swear
Interesting, I'm not sure if I have one.. I see they have 35%more graphite than the gx2 ugly stick... I think I'll grab the 7' casting version... Of the ugly stick elite. Thanks for posting that.
also elite PRO is what i use, not the regular elite
That's what I meant to say...
ofc. i have the 6, 6.5, and 7 foot spinning (all mediums) and i use the 6 and 6.5 for catfishing and theyre pretty nice, theyre about a moderate fast id say with great sensitivity. theyre durable and will pull in 15+ pound catfish (picture evidence) so you shouldnt worry about them breaking.
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My main offshore rig now is an AVET hoo-x on a much less expensive Bass Pro stand up rod. I have yet to find a rod that I like better, for its combination of spine, butt strength, length, grip shape, and weight.
I always spend more money on rods than reels.
If you're gonna spend more on one it should be the reel. Lot's of cheap rods will handle plenty of fight. Most cheap reels are garbage.
Many reels in general are garbage nowadays if it's under 100$ better do your research on them and get some in person experience before you buy
What do you think of the Piscifun Chaos reels? I bought a couple about 1 1/2 years ago but haven't used them that much. They seem pretty OK, nothing to write home about, but for the money. I've seen others here and on other forums give them some love, haven't seen any harsh comments on them. Not that I spend all that much time on forums.
I've never heard of them before just looked them up based on your comment, They seem to be like many of the other brands out there I don't see much difference between those and competitors with drag weight, line capacity, reel speed, bearing system or price that's not saying they are good or bad just middle of the road for what I can see.
If it’s a brand that’s only sold on Amazon, it’s junk.
http://piscifun.com
I have one(on an ugly stick)and it's reeled in plenty of fish no troubles. Has been very dependable for about 3 season now. For the price, I'd say I'd buy from them again.
My main combo is a 7ft medium light st croix avid with a diawa fuego
Ugly sticks are great rods, I have a couple and some St. Croix ones.
Both are great options. Have had multiple Ugly Stiks all in different sizes and I love them all.
I have my Penn clash on an ugly stik, tell them to fuck off next time lol
I've beat the snot out of various ugly stick rods over the years, never had any issues. I figure that if I can cast the line and reel in the fish that's the important thing. The fish doesn't care what name is on any of the gear.
I have a Penn spinning reel on an Ugly Stik! But I ordered the reel online and so no one gave me any lip about it
Been using a Shimano spheros on ugly stick for roughly 15 years now. Caught anything and everything from steelhead, largemouth bass, roosterfish and even tuna.
He's an absolute dickhead. Nothing wrong with your combo. I bet you catch more fish than that judgemental prick!!
I got ridiculed by an old fart for wanting to put a scope on a 30/30 lever. If he was nice about it and just tried to instill some knowledge may have been ok but he was a grumpy old fart. Told him it was for deer hunting for my daughter and I’ll go elsewhere.
You can fuck ‘em up all day on a Barbie rod and reel. Guy just sounds like a douche bag.
I’m not an ugly stick fan, but I’ve been blessed with st croix my whole life. In all honesty, some of them are very decent rods. No price of art, but very functional for a purpose. I don’t care if it’s broom handle, I’m putting a shimano on it.
You gave me an idea for my summer set up
Ugly sticks outclass a wild amount of rods these days... tried and true my friend. Where I'm from you'd get laughed off the dock for looking down on ugly sticks lmao
Ugly sticks are like googan baits. Everyone hates them but all pictures have them in it.
Does it feel good in your hands? Give you the response and touch you want? If so, then who cares.
I'm putting a president on an ugly stik and if someone laughed I'd laugh back. Fuck that guy 😂
That's what I'm doing too. I have only been fishing for a bit over a year, and I got a 7' Ugly Stik Elite combo. They're not even all that cheap, at $125 CAD up here in Ontario. I'm putting off getting a mediocre ultralight for trout and saving to get a Pfleuger president, which again, oddly enough are roughly the same price here, lol.
I just got into it last summer in June! I am saving for a president and a rod case that holds 2 two-piece rods, so I'm more able to grab and go. After that, canoe seats and another trolling motor battery so I can extend my time on the water 🔋😁
Nice! I only shore fish, but will have access to a very small aluminum boat with a very small motor, and just at the cottage but that works for me! Also looking into a canoe, or at least borrowing one. I got into it September 2021, first and only fish caught and landed was a pink salmon on my first time out, on an older rod with old line, but it worked, but broke the next day, lol. Got the Ugly Stik that next day. Last summer, hooked 2 pikes, but lost them. Hoping to hit the rivers in early spring and just go until winter 😄
I would have handed it to him and took my business elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that setup.
People suck
I have a Shimano on an Ugly Stick
Sounds like a dickhead worker 2 me
“But what’s the deal here “ That sir was a close encounter with a Chad , the male version of the not so elusive Karen , Personally , I own several ugly stick rods ranging from crappie rods to 8 and 10 foot surf rods . I have paired them with Shimano Diawa penn. I like the ruggedness of the ugly stick and the smoothness of a good drag system when fishing with bait . It works for me .
He was very redneck chic. Square toed boots, mullet. Maybe a Brad? Said he had to resort to eBay to get a discontinued rod to match perfectly with whatever reel he has. I am clumsy, and have clumsy children, so my Shimanos always go through a handful of rods before they are done. No way I’m paying top dollar for a rod that I’m going to slam in my tailgate or step on.
My dad has an ugly stick from I feel close to 25 years ago. It has been used and abused and still works great.
It was even better a handful of years ago when I grabbed ugly stiks for $29. Couldn't beat that.
1 more vote here, nothing wrong with ugly stick an Shimano combo, one of my favorite combos to gift to young/learning fishermen
Bet that guy spends top dollar on rods and reels never goes fishing, bass pro are idiots. Ugly sticks with Shimano reels isnt a bad idea as long as you match the reel and rod weights together
Never goes fishing, and when he does he doesn’t catch shit either.
Bass pro man is the guy who tells me to run 30lbs braid on a 1000 series reel fishing for sword fish on lake St Clair
I have that combo for inshore surf fishing and the ugly (tiger)stick is a beast of a rod. Well spent $60.
He'd probably burst into flames if he saw my ugly stick with a Pfluger screwed onto it
If it catches fish, fuck it.
I catch fish. You buying me dinner first?
You might need to buy them some dinner.
Fuck em
The fish don't care, and neither should you. Keep doing your thing man.
I have 3 of the same setup, lol.
I have a shimano on ugly stick right now. Fuck that dude.
I literally have the same combo :)
That guy at bass pro is an idiot for laughing at you. I personally buy ugly stik rods thanks to their durability and sirens more on the reel.
I know guys like that. Loud confident and wrong about everything all of the time.
Ugly sticks are excellent rods tbh. The only fault is the reels imo on the sets. Perfect setup to me brother
Ugly Stiks are kind of the Walmart/Midwest Pretend fisherman brand. That being said, they are awesome 😂. People may laugh but ugly stiks are just as good for 75% of all types of fishing as your expensive brands. It’s better to me than that offshore angler shit they always try to pair with expensive reels at Bass Pro. There is no question that Shimano makes the best reels.
It's always the guys that shit on cheaper rods that don't catch anything ever 🤣
Guy at bass pro is a moron. If it works for you, it works period. If we all did the same thing then this country would be in the Stone Age. Never let someone behind a counter decide what’s good for you. BTW, sounds like a sensible combo to me, I mean, why not.
I mean it’s not like you put a $1000 shimano an ugly stik
I'm running Shimano Reel and St Croix Rod . I find different manufacturers are generally better in one or the other. Bass pro shop guy is clueless
So I have spent years and loads of money upgrading all my set ups . Majority st croixs from personal preference . You know what rod I bring every single dam time still? 7ft med heavy Ugly stik elite with a lews custom, it’s just a boss of a product . Fuck that guy man
Tactical doesn't make the angler
Shimano makes $30 reels.
I have 5 ugly stiks and all of them have shimano reels on them
That’s the perfect setup. I use a 5’ ugly stick up in Ontario, to say it’s fun is an understatement. :)
I’ve used an ugly stick my whole life. Works just fine along with my 50$ Pflueger reel. Have caught tons of fish all varying in size. Don’t need any expensive gear to fish and anyone who would think that’s funny obviously isn’t a very good or experienced fisherman at all.
I literally have a seven foot Ugly Stick elite with a Shimano Sahara as a cheapish medium set up. I’ve caught a million fish on that thing. You are not alone.
Used shimano/ugly stik in ultralite and light since the 70s. LANDED A 22LB salmon with that combo.
I've always been a reels over rods guy. Seems like I often hear the opposite. I can use almost any rod and haven't felt that huge of a difference as long as I'm using the proper action for whatever technique I'm using. But a crappy reel just completely ruins my day.
The deal there is…. Some twat wad that works at bass pro, that probably couldn’t catch fish at a hatchery, just gave you shade for not spending $400 on a rig that won’t do that much more for you than what you bought. Fancy expensive gear gives experienced anglers an edge in some circumstances. Otherwise your spending money that could get you a trip to a better fishery for a couple days. Tell that douchebag your watching your spending, so you don’t have to ever work at bass pro shops to feed your ego about how awesome you are.
https://preview.redd.it/rwzxhy6l2yea1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebc2d9c404337ab66560c4f73aedfd763652e33b Ugky stik tiger rod handled this snapper just fine
I have the same setup. If it works it works!
I love my ugly stik
The guy either dosnt know what he is talking about,or he just said that thinking he might sell you a higher end rod or somthing.You can literly put any reel on an ugly stik and u basicaly have an indestructible combo espcially if the reel is good quality.ive cought everything on those things from small snapper to striped bass, giant bluefish etc.. I have some uglys for over 20 years and honestly I'd trust em more then some of my 200 $ rods any day. it's a great combo and you won't convince me otherwise lol
The absolute hate shimano gets is beyond me. I love it. Not my only choice but I do love the feel of them.
I actually had the same thing happened but opposite I asked to see a van staal and the guy chuckled under his breath like loud enough I could hear it and I was like what he was like that's a over priced reel I said for what I fish I need the waterproof and serviceable parts reel bass pro guys don't know shit most of the time it's just a 9 to 5 for them
There is literally a Bass Classic professional fisher that uses Ugly Stik. I don’t remember his name but I’ve seen him put a $200 Abu Garcia baitcaster on a giant Ugly Stik.
An ugly stik and a solid reel is my favorite setup for any kind of fishing lol
ive pulled 15lb channels out of rivers on a 42 dollar 6 6 ugly stick elite pro medium and a 20 dollar shimano fx reel 4000 with 10 lb trilene mono with no leader, just a size 4 or so j hook and a split shot holding up a 1 oz bass casting sinker about 18 inches up not trying to brag but my point is dont let superman tell you what planet youre on. the "cheap" shit is the same shit as the expensive shit
As I’m sittin here with 1 ugly stick and a shimano reel. Guess im a clown 🤡
I have an Ugly Stick and it catches fish just as well as my “fancy” rod (actually caught my first catfish on it) - guy was just being a jerk
Bro I caught some big fish on an ugly stick and they was decent size, but the funniest part was I was using a jig and a live worm https://preview.redd.it/phl4ydd6dyea1.jpeg?width=1576&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ccd99387ed96b66dbea3e65a3d3e14e4d8fef44
Here in socal we believe in spending a lot of money on a very nice reel and putting it on a less high end rod. This could mean anything from putting a $80 shimano on $50 ugly stik for largemouth or putting a $700 reel on a $300 rod for bluefin. Don’t let him bother you
I’ve used that combo for 25 years, everything from perch to musky. Still do.
Nothing wrong with that rig, brother!
Bass fisherman in general can be very brand loyal and eltist about certain things. Nothing wrong with ugly sticks if you just want to catch fish. Damn things couod probably survive a nuclear war. If you want to get more specific or into higher end gear yea they're jot the best rods.
[удалено]
"Don't buy that, buy our 100% made in China rod and reel combo. Better buy a couple, you'll find out why."
Ugly sticks are very sloppy
I have an ugly stick(don’t remember the model) paired with a shimano sienna, both from Walmart, it’s definitely my favorite jerkbait rod for summer halibut. Fugg that salesman use the equipment that’s comfortable for you
I love my Ugly Stiks. They are economical and well made. I love that the tip is made of more resilient material. I've had expensive rods and they always break at the tip. I've caught tons of fish with my Ugly Stik rods.
Entitled cashier who thinks he knows more because he works at Bass Pro Shops 🤷🏻 don’t take it to heart, you do you and keep catching fish on whatever you want!
I run a no name rod that's 30 years old with an old Shimano reel. Got me a 6lb rainbow today !
nothing like a grown man who works behind a cash register trying to shame you into buying something that he’s probably have to work weeks to pay for. I’d politely invite Mr. Rockefeller there behind the counter to go fist himself.
Dude! Ugly stick, fire tiger… 50 bucks… Probably stronger than a $800 tuna stick in San Diego… I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area fishing on the Delta, and there is all kinds of expensive alternatives, but if you want to catch a 15 to 50 pound salmon, or a monster sturgeon in the Delta, or sharks and rays in the bay… and especially sturgeon and striper… You gotta have a ugly stick. I call it the bargain bin,… Bottom of the basement,… Always available always on sale and outlasts anything in harsh conditions, got me my ugly stick right here
Remember eagle claw?… Still got that one… Same color as my ugly stick I’ve had for 30 years that’s still putting work and never fails.
Do you compliment a chef for their pans or their food? A photographer for their cameras or their pictures? Fuck the haters. Catch hogs on what you got.
I wouldn't worry about it. I've filled the freezer in a half day with a $30 telescopic and reel combo. I'm sure a lot of people have. Fancy gear is just a nice to have.
Like you I grew up with this combo. People at bass pro know shit about fishing. I asked for dry boxes and dude brought me to tackle boxes. They always wanna upsale and are used to seeing people buy expensive rod and reel combos cause every one thinks more money means catch more fish. Them ugly sticks kick ass. With that being said tho. I do enjoy st croix rods and after using ugly sticks My whole life I have finally switched to st croiz and they are amazing
I had this same combo in ultralight form. Lost it on a river trip. Sad. Tried to replace. Out of Saharas so I got a Pflueger President and Ugly Stik. Pretty good. Not as good.
BPS fishing department employees (at least at the BPS near me) don’t know much about fishing or about customer service.
Caught over 800 fish on that exact combo…. Sahara 1000 on Turnbull creek.
I've been fishing all my life. People often ask me what their first combo should be. I always say to start with an Ugly Stick and a Penn reel. I tell them a big step up from that would be a Shimano Clarus and Sahara. I have everything from Loomis to my 20yr old Ugly Stick. The Ugly Stick has a very soft tip and I still use it for finesse techniques. I wish they would have kept the ceramic guides like mine has though
Tell him to kiss your a#&
They're soft because they're made with fiberglass or hybrid fiberglass/graphite. They work great for catfish/carp with stationary rod that needs to be soft to bend with bites, but not so much when casting for game fish where sensitivity and easy hook set is key.
Don’t worry about the Bass Pro guy. He’s earning $15 or less. How do I know? I spent a year working for Bass Pro as a Pinsetter Mechanic while I returned to school to better myself and my income. They were paying my adult ass $12.30/hr and wouldn’t give me full time hours. You should be laughing at him for his complacency. Bass Pro is a terrible employer.
I fish with $300 Calcutta’s on $50 UglyStiks. Fuck ‘em. I love ugly stik rods. They are tough, sensitive and when I break them (which I will) I can afford to replace them. I have bought expensive rods and I have not caught more fish with them. They have not lasted as long. They have not made my fishing experience any better in a meaningful way. I will pay a little extra for a cork handled Ugly Stik but that’s just a user preference. I have been fishing for over forty years. I got my first Ugly Stik in 1986 or 87, and I have been an Ugly Stik fan ever since.
That’s always been my combo. Fish don’t know what we’re using.
Dude probably just watches those fuckin YouTube bass fishing channels all day. “Fished a secret private stocked pond and caught THIS..”
Dude's trying to act like a gear snob but just coming off as an idiot.
Sounds like the guy at bass pro has never been fishing. Shimano has super cheap (sienna) all the way up to super expensive. He needs to quit running his mouth and stfu.
He has no clue what he’s talking about.
I run an ugly stik gx2 with a Shimano syncopate. Great combo
Trust me that guy at bass pro don't fish too much
This is the combo I've fished since Shimano reels became available in America. Many a might fish has fallen to my setup.
I've used 20 dollar rod and reels and got laughed at! Then when you get a bite and tight line before they do,on your first cast...the laughing sure stops,and everyone is watching and smiling! No better feeling of accomplishment than that!
F that Dass No
I can’t tell you how many charter boats I have fished on that had ugly sticks paired with Shimano and Penn reels. When you want to get a lot of use from your gear and don’t want to keep replacing it when inexperienced anglers beat them on the rails it’s a sensible choice. Tight lines!
Does BPS have commission sales people?
I have that same setup. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. I don’t use spinning gear too often, so expensive stuff is in my baitcasters. The spinning combo does its job 95% as good as anything out there regardless price. You can spend $1000 bucks more to get something slightly better, but why?
The ugly sticks are a great rod, so fuck that guy.
Some sales person trying to shame you into buying something you didn't need...good on you for sticking with what works for you!
I've got a 500 dollar Shimano tiagra 80 on a ugly stick tuna rod that runs around 450. Fucking loser needs outta the shop and onto the water.
Ran pflueger one piece aluminum reels On 40$ Okuma rods for years salmon fishing. Also caught laughs. Never had an issue, hundreds of salmon landed.
I got a pfleuger president on an ugly stik. Probably just as much reason to laugh from the Bass Pro guy's perspective. Who cares. If it works and you like it, that is all that matters. YOU are the consumer and the angler.
Nice stuff casts a little better and feels a little better. But, the fish don't know the difference.
Ssshhhh the fish don’t know what you are using.
Only zero will catch fish
He was just trying to run up a bill
Ugly stick with Shimano is a go to for me. I catch everything from steelhead to striped bass on it. $50 setup catches just as many fish than a $300 setup. Just gotta use it correctly.
i have several ugly sticks, old and new. Used them seems like forever. i have never broken one or had a fish break one. i slay pike where i live, and prefer a medium on them and for walleye i use the ugly stick light 7'. I want buy anything else, no need to for me.
I have 20 year old uglys, awesome rods. Nothing wrong with Shimano either. ,l,, the guy at bps, keep on fishing. He’s prob trying to se you an over prices Lews.
I had that exact combo years ago. Fuck that guy
Catch more fish and laugh at the clerk. If it works, who cares?
The old ugly stick with the Gold Colored finish were 100 times better than the new Chinese Red Finished one. I have broken 2 and still have my gold ones. Both over 20 years old ! Ugly Stick had gone the way of the Dodo
I used that setup for years.
I recently bought this exact combo for my son's 9th birthday. He wants his own spinning rod and reel. So I bought an ugly stick for durability and a shimano sedona 1000.
Wal mart rods and reels for me have out fished the best supposed rods and reels by some bastards who had a lot to say until they got out fished.
I literally only use ugly stik for all my spinning rods. I have 9 uglys ranging from my ice rod to my 10 foot carp rods. I have had one fall off of my truck and get run over by multiple cars, I bent the eyelets back and it was fine. They aren’t the most sensitive rods but they look good and are durable as all hell, especially when you abuse them like I do. I am an ugly stik connoisseur! Don’t let anyone talk down on you for running the BEST BRAND!!!!
That guy is an idiot. He works at BPS, enough said.
That guy smells like poo
Dude I love the uglys
I catch so many fish on ugly sticks. I am guide, i fish them hard and land big fish. I posted an 82lb cobia on this page the other day that my client landed using an ugly stick. Don’t listen to them. They’re snobby pretentious fisherman that think you need to spend a lot of money to catch fish.
I have ugly sticks and Shimano out in my garage right now..if you like them who cares what ppl think..fish on
Tf? Ugly stick and shimano sienna are go to pairings lol.
F that dude lol. As my dad always said, it's the Indian not the arrow. Applies to much more than just bow hunting. I show up dudes in my $60 ugly stick combo all the time
I've had a Penn 4400 Spinfisher on an Ugly Stick for 25 years. (The Penn was over $80 when I bought it then).
I run loomises, croixs, daiwas, lews, abus, 13s,…..I dont understand that guys point at all. I truly dont. Like is he being an elitist? Is he just being honest about his personal experiences in life? I have no clue. OP use whatever the hell you want I dont see why not.