Shakespeare Ugly StikThe Shakespeare Ugly Stik spinning fishing rods are available in a number of models, and the evaluations say the $30 Stiks are a great cost for casual fishing buffs. The graphite core is enclosed by fiberglass, making the Shakespeare Ugly Stik particularly powerful but is not inflexible. One Field & Stream reviewer set out to destroy seven fishing rods, and the Shakespeare Ugly Stik made it till he eventually ran in view of weights at 55 pounds. The sturdiness, 7 year warranty and low prices have helped to make the Shakespeare Ugly Stik well-liked for longer than a quarter century. Customers say knowledgeable anglers might want more level of sensitivity and a lesser amount of weight, nevertheless, and critiques recommend the lightweight Okuma Guide Select (*est. $75) as the best bridge involving cheap and high-end spinning rods.
Everyone's read of them...the Ugly Stik line also has been around since 1976, and the Ugly Stik Tiger rods have been a top seller since back in 1985 when Shakespeare initially released the series with the catchphrase "For big game, choose the big cat!" Clearly, it looks like fishermen all over the world are still fishing with the big cat. While arguably not the best looking rods (then again they are known as "Ugly Stiks" for a reason) they are most likely the most identifiable saltwater rod in the world with their particular orange finish and red highlights. I had used a brand new Shakespeare Tiger with a Penn 320GTi for this evaluation I was going to have Gary perform, hoping that it would in the end re-define the way I look at Ugly Stiks forever.
My friend and employee, Gary, is known as a veteran of numerous BassMaster Tournaments. In central Texas, he is probably the more respected fishermen around. I sought him to take me on a fishing trip and to evaluate the Shakespeare Ugly Stik. He quickly agreed, (I suspect that it was due to the fact I offered to take care of expenses. We discovered the best review at Field & Stream mag, in which the magazine's fishing manager attempted to break seven fishing rods, all of them costlier versus Shakespeare Ugly Stik and nothing as tough. User reviews at the web sites of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have better hints of real fishing efficiency, however.
After Gary started out fishing with the Tiger, he was shocked by the strength of the rod butt paired with a fairly fast tip. The Tiger employs a proven construction known as the "Howald Process" which includes a graphite core coated with a e-glass exterior layer.Gary said he could feel the distinctive strength and level of responsiveness that comes from the implementation of this technology. Strangely enough if you look closely enough you can really identify the graphite put under the e-glass coating.
He informed me he could plainly feel hits from fish over 200ft straight down with rapid vibrations in the tip that moved into the base. The rod is in a position to increase sensitivity to the angler by stretching the feel through the entire handle.
When he began hooking fish and tugging them 100s of feet to the surface the Tiger's base seldom flexed. Even the rod tip continued to be arced nicely and seemed to feel no tension. One of the factors that the rod can feel so secure is mainly because Shakespeare opted for a nine stainless steel guides nearby together. The second reason anglers really feel at ease using the Tiger is owing to the large EVA foam grips that provide enough shock absorption to the hands and arms despite strong vibrations of fish fighting on the other end of the line.
This rod is unbelievably tough. At some point Gary snagged on the bottom and was tugging and pulling on the rod in a violent frenzy in an attempt to get rid of the snag. At no point did the rod feel like it was at greatest strain. It is no coincidence that the Ugly Stik is the number one rod for tackle rentals on land and on charters....these rods are crafted "Ugly Tough!"
What makes the Ugly Stiks so well-known? An ageless design that to this day still works well and a great price make the Tiger the rod to beat, and the bar by which all new saltwater rods are measured by. The Tiger continues to be a dominating force in the world of big game fishing, but the flexibility of this rod can very easily be moved over to live bait fishing for catfish and stripers. At this kind of a low price every serious angler should have one of these in their set as a main rig or as tested backup solution.