Ugly Sticks

[kingtin]

All my offshore rods consist of Penn Powersticks in a range of class but last year I bought the deckie an Ugly stick Gold in the 4-8 kilo range married to a Captiva CV 600. They were both on special and I thought it would be a cheap and cheerful reefie rod for her. I used it myself for the first time yesterday and was amazed at how soft the tip was. I could see the bites at the tip but these didn't seem to transfer down the rod to my hand as other rods do? If I wasn't looking at the tip, I wouldn't have known I had a bite. It also seemed a fair struggle just to bring a couple of leatherjackets up from 80 ft.

Is this just because I'm used to stiffer gear or are ugly sticks really soft at the tip. Felt to me like this rod wouldn't handle a 6 kilo snapper even. Am I wrong? Anybody any experience of uglies in this line class?

kev

[Noelm]

had ugly sticks for more years than I can remember, the good ones are really good, the elcheapo ones are just OK, but the old ones especially, are fantastic, I have a couple that I have rebound a couple of times, the taper and build of those are just "to my liking"

[nigelr]

Good strong well priced mass produced rods that IMO fight above their weight for low-down power and overall durability.
Personally I have 3 and luv 'em!
Cheers.

[juju]

I have the following Uglys
2 off the rack light spin rods
1 Custom 6-8 kg spin rod
2 Custom 6kg overhead outfits
1 off the rack baitcaster
1 Custom 5 foot baitcaster

The Customs ive had for over 20 years, all have sic carbide guides,they are great most have a soft tip (thats what i wanted) you can feel every touch on them,,,but at the other end its a diffecent case..they were built on the "guts buts" and have heaps of pulling power...never felt short of lifting power with any of them..

[davez104]

Could be just what you're used to, most of those powersticks are built like crowbars, not a bad thing, I love em. You can give em heaps and not worry about hurtin them, and even if you did hurt one the replacement cost id bugger all anyway. Is it just the tip on the ugly stick thats soft or the whole rod? Sometimes the tips are very light for "bite detection", but the rest of the rod has a bit of guts so you still have something to fight the fish with. They usually build those ugly sticks pretty tough so I wouldn't worry too much, just lay into it and post up some photos of it doubled over.

Dave.

[kingtin]

So far, thanks fellers.

Yeah Dave, it seems it's just the tip. It was rigged with 15lb mono and even with the stretch in that at 80 ft, the tip was bouncing but I couldn't feel anything at the butt, sitting with the rod in my hand. When it came to lifting 2 rather big leatherjackets, I was amazed at how much bend was in the tip down to about the 5th eye.............the rest of the rod was straight. I was gonna spool it with braid but thought it may not be as forgiving without the extra stretch of mono, and perhaps there may be just too much pressure put on the tip?

I wanted something that the deckie would feel a decent fish on so I could have a chuckle at her bringing it in, but now I fear she'd never get anything over 3 kilos in. I have a 4 to 8 kilo overhead and I'd feel confident pulling a 10 kilo fish on that, but the feel of the ugly stick is really a lot softer..........almost flimsy. perhaps it's simply because I'm used to "snooker cue" type overheads

kev

[davez104]

Yep, I'ld say its just lighter than you're used to. Next time you're hooked up to something decent, really give it heaps, I think you will be surprised at how much grunt it's got in the lower half of the blank. If it starts to bend at the grips it might be time to back off a touch though

Dave.

[Marlin_Mike]

i have 4 penn powersticks, i love em

Mike

[kingtin]

i have 4 penn powersticks, i love em

Mike

Wouldn't that be 6 now...........if K Mart are still stocking 'em

kev

[Marlin_Mike]

Tonights combos Kev were both shimano 8 - 12kg with spinning reels. Didnt look for penn power sticks, but i believe they still sell them.going back tomorrow for closer look while its 30% off

Mike

[2DKnBJ]

I have 3 uglies.1 newer version that i have not yet given a good workout and 2 older modles that are almost 20 yrs old and they have both seen some good fish.
As stated earlier give them a bit and they will come into their own in the lower end.

Cheers Dazza

[Marlin_Mike]

Tonights combos Kev were both shimano 8 - 12kg with spinning reels. Didnt look for penn power sticks, but i believe they still sell them.going back tomorrow for closer look while its 30% off

Mike

Well i went back Kev......................... walked out with another 2 penn powetsticks and a shimano stick. Bummer..................... No reels just the sticks this time.

Went down to the other mart that starts with A for non fishing related purchase for wife......bugger me they got 25% off their fishing stock................... to much tackle not enough money

Mike

[kingtin]

Well i went back Kev......................... walked out with another 2 penn powetsticks and a shimano stick. Bummer..................... No reels just the sticks this time.

Went down to the other mart that starts with A for non fishing related purchase for wife......bugger me they got 25% off their fishing stock................... to much tackle not enough money

Mike

Mug!

kev