03-03-2010, 02:39 AM
Well, it is time I came clean here. Since I posted my opinion of fishing pole qualities, I have done a fair amount of thinking about that topic. I realized that my opinion of K-mart, Wal-Mart, and the like, type poles aren’t really all that bad. It’s the reels that come with the rod/reel combos, or the $15 reels sold separately, that have given me a bad taste about their fishing gear. Those reels, in my “fish snob” opinion, are very close to junk. But, this post is not about reels. So, I have to say that for rods, [#ff0000]a very suitable rod CAN be purchased at a very reasonable price.[/#ff0000]
Also, in the vein of coming clean, I was again looking at my collection of poles, and realized, to my great embarrassment, I DO actually own an Ugly Stick!. It is a 6’6” medium-heavy spinning rod that I used a couple of times for trolling for tiger musky. I haven’t used it in several years but think I might give it a try again this year.
Don’t get me wrong here. There still aint no way I’d buy myself another Ugly Stick. The reason is because of their famous soft tips. When I attempt a set a hook, I want a good pronounced jerk on the line. The tips of Ugly Sticks are way to flimsy for my preference and bend too much. Similarly, I no longer use monofilament lines. I use exclusively braided. I don’t like the stretch of mono. When I set the hook with braided, what happens at my pole happens in concert way out there 200 feet. Mono stretches too much and Ugly Sticks flex too much for my liking.
One last thing about rods (and this is just a personal gripe of mine) … many low-end rods don’t come with those little hook keepers down near the handle. Those are something I really miss on some poles (like my Ugly Stick doesn't have one) … especially after you have gotten use to having them.
So, anyway, spend the bulk of your money on good reels and scrimp, if you must, on the poles.
[signature]
Also, in the vein of coming clean, I was again looking at my collection of poles, and realized, to my great embarrassment, I DO actually own an Ugly Stick!. It is a 6’6” medium-heavy spinning rod that I used a couple of times for trolling for tiger musky. I haven’t used it in several years but think I might give it a try again this year.
Don’t get me wrong here. There still aint no way I’d buy myself another Ugly Stick. The reason is because of their famous soft tips. When I attempt a set a hook, I want a good pronounced jerk on the line. The tips of Ugly Sticks are way to flimsy for my preference and bend too much. Similarly, I no longer use monofilament lines. I use exclusively braided. I don’t like the stretch of mono. When I set the hook with braided, what happens at my pole happens in concert way out there 200 feet. Mono stretches too much and Ugly Sticks flex too much for my liking.
One last thing about rods (and this is just a personal gripe of mine) … many low-end rods don’t come with those little hook keepers down near the handle. Those are something I really miss on some poles (like my Ugly Stick doesn't have one) … especially after you have gotten use to having them.
So, anyway, spend the bulk of your money on good reels and scrimp, if you must, on the poles.
[signature]