Shakespeare produces great fishing rods at very accessible, entry-level price points. You could easily spend thousands on a fishing rod and reel, but most casual fishers (and even some experts) would be happier with something more versatile and less expensive. After interviewing experts and spending over 80 hours testing spinning rods and reels, we’ve determined that pairing the Ugly Stik GX2 rod with the Daiwa BG spinning reel makes the best all-around fishing outfit without breaking the bank. Despite the attention directed at K2, Shakespeare’s contributions to its parent company’s financial health were considerable. On the recreational products side, Shakespeare’s fishing equipment and marine antennas were also important contributors to Anthony Industries’ bottom line.
Additionally, the more pieces that make up the guide, the more pieces with the potential to fall apart. A design with more pieces means more jointing and fastening, which usually requires glue. Since fishing rods are often exposed to sun, salt, sand, dirt, fish parts, and general wear and tear, glue is simply less than ideal (as is plastic); a single piece of relatively rustproof metal is incomparably sturdier.
It’s also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, you’ll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. And competing against each other under the same corporate shakespeare fishing reel umbrella ensures the angling consumer is assured, at the very least, a modicum of genuine quality, not just marketing hype. Later, I’ll provide the specs for one of the models, but consider this a review of the Inshore Select spin range.
If you chase big fish from your boat or kayak, it’s really hard to go past this. I’d put this rod in my car and leave it there with a reel and a couple of versatile lures. Then, as I passed any likely puddle or table drain, with half an hour to spare, I’d whip out my Travel Mate, and cast at come what may. With the STM66SPT breaking down to 7 pieces, it’ll fit in your laptop bag. What I don’t understand is why Shakespeare has used such ordinary material.
If you’re paying $13 to $35, you shouldn’t really expect much, but if you need to have a fishing rod and want to spend less than $20, the FXS will do the trick for smaller fish—just take it for what it’s worth and don’t expect it or its guides to last. In addition to having a durable shaft, the GX2 comes fitted with one-piece stainless steel line guides, which can literally be smashed with a rock and still maintain serviceability. During testing, I accidentally planted my foot directly on the guide of a rod that I’d left in the shakespeare fishing rods bottom of my boat—as one does—but it was unscathed. Cheap, flimsy aluminum-oxide guides are the industry standard at this price, so it’s nice to see Pure Fishing, the maker of the Ugly Stik, take durability seriously. This design also represents an upgrade from the old Ugly Stik, which had two-piece pop-out guides that were the only weak spot in an otherwise bulletproof rod. Priced about the same as the Ugly Stik GX2 rods, Shimano’s Saguaro line suffers in comparison in terms of flex as well as sturdiness—especially the guides.