Whuppin' Stick

[YPSIFLY]

I bought a 7' 2pc. casting rod thats rated for 8-20lb. line this afternoon. These rods are more or less the same thing as an Ugly Stick, but cost only $20.

They also come with cork handles which I prefer over the foam on the regular Uglies.

This rod beats the hell out of the 6' 1pc. Ugly Lite I was using. Casts better, and has more backbone. Its also nice to be able to break my rod down and stash it behind the seat in my truck when I need to.

They come with a 10 year warranty.

[DEERSLAYER]

I've been thinking about those rods. Are they a decent looking rod? Wasn't sure about that blue. Are they all blue?

[YPSIFLY]

Yeah, they are all blue, but they are not bad looking once you get one in your hands.

[gunrod]

I run them with plugs on my boat when chasing Steelies. I like them but don't be over impressed with the cork handles. I had to return one to Cabela's since the cork that twists down on the reel broke. After trading mine in I was in the bargain cave and saw three others with the same problem.

I have three and only had one do this. If you are careful it shouldn't happen and you have a good rod.

[kroppe]

I need some bottom bouncer/plug rods for walleye, these might be just the trick. I'll check them out at Cabela's next time I'm there. I also like cork and the 2 piece feature. But the color......

[YPSIFLY]

The color really isn't that bad. They're a little darker than the pics on the website and catalog.

[fishwhore]

I also picked up one of the 6" light action ones for panfish. My son saw it when I brought it home and thought it was made for kids because of the blue color. I couldn't bear to tell him it wasn't for him so he got a new rod. Now I have to get him a reel for it.

[jeremy L]

But the color......

LOL, i bet alot of people said the same thing when those yellow eagle claw rods came out. Now, there kinda a fall tradition wiht many of those casting lures off peirs for big kings and many more out in boats.

As for the whuppin stick, its a great rod for the price. I had a 9 footer, but don't like big rods so i got rid of mine. I sold it to my cousin and he likes it. My dad has his 9 footer and it works great with spawn/crawler/alwives off piers. We got ours last july when they were all on sale for $14.95. I would have bought a couple 7 footers if i would have had more $$$, i spent most of it on lures. I see they now make an 8 footer so i might have to get one of those to see how i like it.

Overall, great rod for a great price.

[ESOX]

When did the yellow Eagle Claws come out? I had a yellow one in the late sixties, untill I got too cool in the early 70's and got an Abu Garcia four star Conlon rod upon which to hang my Mitchell 300. I was styling then, a matched combo.........LOL

I still have a couple of those Eagle Claws that are 30 some yrs. old.....

[Lunker]

I got the 9ft-8 Ugly stick lite with the gold metal ( titanium ?)guides , medium action. I put it to the test at PA Sat and was very pleased. I payed 35.00. But its worth twice that in my opinion. It casted cleos like a champ and Bombers with eas.

[kroppe]

A little late, but I picked up 2 rods at Meijer on sale for $10 each. They are Berkely "Hot Rods", blue in color. They are 7 foot 2 piece jobs, great for bottom bouncing. They have been on sale at Meijer for a few weeks, so there are probably not many left.

I keep an eage eye on the sporting goods dept. at Meijer. Also picked up a decent Shimano reel for 1/2 price.

[YPSIFLY]

I looked at those Hot Rods a couple months ago. I think the regular price is $15-17. The only thing I didn't like was the foam handles.

I know some people don't mind, and even prefer foam. However, it doesn't feel right for me. It seems to deaden sensitivity, IMO.

[kroppe]

Chris,

I agree cork is more sensitive. For my stream trout rods I prefer cork. It's great because you can feel the soft bite and set the hook gently. For bottom bouncing or other trolling, the rod spends most of its life in the rod holder; so for me sensitivity in a trolling rod is not the primary factor.