Seeing as though I was only 5 years old when Ugly Stik rods hit the shelves in 1976, I didn’t know much about anything. While there’s no particular connection to the ultra-famous Elizabethan playwright, the company’s phenomenal rise to global angling recognition shares some of the drama and poetry with its dramatist namesake. I’d also use them for shakespeare reels sitting on the dock with a drink and a comfy camp chair, dangling a shrimp at whatever, while I stared off into the lake or riverside vista. I’ve fished for over 40 years, and I’m more than happy to cast an Ugly Stik Inshore Select all day long. Should a monster take your lure, you’re in with a fighting chance despite the conservative rating.
You could easily spend $2,000 on a fishing rod if you’d like something ultralightweight or designed for a specific species you’re targeting, but our pick will get the job done almost as well (if not just as well) most of the time. Similarly, you could go cheaper, but then you’d give up reliability. During the 1990s, the success of Shakespeare businesses helped Anthony Industries and its successor, K2 Inc., more than double annual sales from less than $300 million to the $638 million generated in 1997. Without Shakespeare, K2 Inc. would lose a considerable percentage of its financial might and much of what made it a diversified company. For these reasons, Shakespeare’s role as a K2 Inc. subsidiary appeared secure as Shakespeare celebrated its 100th anniversary and looked toward its second century of business, having traveled a long way from the banks of the Kalamazoo River. This is the misers budget option, and the quality compares to far more expensive fishing rods.
However, these light Shakespeare fishing rods would benefit from performance guides, reel seats and a more polished finish. When any fisherman thinks of one of the best all-purpose freshwater rods available on the market today, the Shakespeare Ugly Stik comes to mind. Freshwater fishermen from around the world hold this one rod, and now a family of rods, in the highest of regards.
This rod is for any angler looking to tackle BIG catches from land. I have to admit that I have NEVER been a fan of telescopic fishing rods. I’ve not met a telescopic fishing rod that I’ve been happy to use, let alone buy. It’s quite the contrary with multi-piece travel fishing rods, however. shakespeare reels Wherever you’re traveling by train, plane, automobile, bicycle or walking, this spinning rod is incredibly easy to carry and has the power and sensitivity to land a decent catch on lures or baits. Performance-wise, it certainly holds its own when compared to other more expensive fishing rods.
But wherever you’re traveling by train, plane, automobile, bicycle, or walking, this rod is incredibly easy to carry and has the power and sensitivity to land a decent catch on lures or baits. The rods are fiberglass and the insert-free stainless steel line guides are quite robust. While this makes sense for a rod that is likely to attract significant transits bumps and scrapes, they could have upped the quality of componentry. I’d take this stick on any trip where I wanted more lure casting distance. It’s also ideal rigging for a smaller species of fish, knowing there’s some power backing you up should you hook-up bigger than expected.
I was a big fan of St. Croix’s Triumph spinning rod as an all-around inshore stick—it’s featherlight, well-balanced, and a pleasure to cast all day long. I found that the tip was just sensitive enough to pass for a bait-fishing rod (though I’d still primarily designate it as a lightweight artificial/jigging rod). I’ve left it soaked in salt and sand, and even in a bit of marsh mud for two weeks, and I’ve seen no rust stains or any other signs of degradation. While these materials are not necessarily stronger than stainless steel or lined aluminum oxide, they are higher-performance materials, and a lot more expensive.
At the end of the day, be sure to give everything a solid rinse with freshwater and loosen the drags (to relieve straining pressure), whether your rig costs $20 or $2,000. If you take this step, our recommended Ugly Stik GX2 and Daiwa BG combo will serve you well for years to come. The rest, including the grip material and the number of pieces the rod itself breaks down into, is up to you. I will suggest that, if you can accommodate it, a one-piece rod will almost always outperform a two- or three-piece rod.
And though he agreed that there is likely no single bag that will suit anything from fly-fishing to deep-water trowling, he had a few suggestions for what to look for. His tackle splits its time between a classic (and unfortunately discontinued) L.L.Bean tackle bag (which straps easily to the front of his kayak) and a similarly vintage side-sling number from Piscifun. The numerous loops and side compartments in the sling bag make it easy to keep essentials like pliers and multi-tools within reach; it also has a convenient water-bottle holder. Costing around $30, the updated version of Piscifun’s side-sling model features supportive, padded shoulder and waist straps, as well as compartments to sort bait from gear. We are currently testing this new model and will update with our results.