Ugly Stik Catfish Combo - dilemma

D

DB731

Joined
Feb 10, 2013
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Or, just wanting the input from people who know, if you prefer. :D

So, I am looking for some heavier spinning equipment (right now I use light stuff) to have this Fall for pike > 5 lbs and maybe a musky if I am lucky. I like durable over delicate, simplicity over finesse. Plus, I am quite a cheap bastard.

Yesterday I picked up this 8' rod at Walmart, for 40 bucks:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ugly-Stik-Catfish-Spinning-Rod-8/17474386

They didn't have any combos, but a sporting goods store I went to prior, had the 7 foot combo for 50 bucks, same medium-heavy action, 15-30 lbs. Then, this morning I head over to another sporting goods store and was surprised to see the same combo for 30 bucks, on some sale or something.

The combo: http://www.scheels.com/shop/en/sche...ugly-stick-catfish-combo-8950-uglycatspcbo-f3

They had 3 combos. I bought two, after deciding one the two with the least amount of imperfections. The "disqualifier" for the combo I didn't choose was the reel that would not open the bail properly half the time. This is brand new equipment, mind you. Then, I came home to read these less than stunning reviews of the combo, with particular negative emphasis on the reel it seems:

http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-T...iewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

So, I am curious what others here would do. Are the two 7' rods alone worth 30 bucks each? One thing that bugs me on the 7' rods is this funny feeling that they were made with lesser quality controls than the 8' rod (slightly off-center graphite core, for example), which doesn't make sense..

How feasible would be to make my own fishing rod? I like fiberglass as a material, I don't care how heavy it would be..

Thanks
 
I'd return them. Combos are usually pretty crappy. Id buy a quality rod and reel seperatley. Choose wisely and the reel should last a lifetime with proper maintained.
 
Rod building is a can of worms... for a decent blank, expect at least $30-$40, then you have guides, then handle kit or separate components. Now, you need thread, tape, epoxy, files. Oh, and then there's the motorized rod turner for keeping the epoxy even while it dries. About $100 will get you everything except the cradle and turner for a basic rod. A trip to the flea market or garage sale can often get you a very nice rod for very cheap...

I've always liked the Ugly Stik rods, sturdy and reliable. Combo reels usually are very low end. Shimano makes some excellent budget reels in the $40-$50 price range as well as Okuma.

-Xander
 
I agree with the review on that page. If you buy a combo for $40 and the rod alone costs $30...

Meanwhile a BassPro store-brand rod combined with a lower-mid-range Shimano reel costs $100-$150... What do people expect for forty dollars? :confused:

DB731 said:
How feasible would be to make my own fishing rod? I like fiberglass as a material, I don't care how heavy it would be..
Click to expand...

I'm guessing it would cost more than $40, even if your time has no value.
 
I wonder if I could sell these reels to somebody on Craigs for 5 bucks a piece..probably not.:D
 
Fast14riot has the numbers on rod-building, and it's as I guessed.

If I were you, I'd buy the $30 rod at the discount department store but not be so cheap on the reel. Invest (ie, spend money) in a good quality reel that will last, while avoiding the high-end 'pro' gear. My favorite current-production reel is the Shimano Spirex rear drag. It sells for $50 - $60 and comes in three sizes.
 
I put together a combo close to what you are looking for. Hard to beat the Ugly Stick and I paired it with a Okuma reel that was on sale at Dicks Sporting goods for twenty bucks.
 
You said you wanted durable For $30 an Ugly Stick is about as tough as they get.I know they say in the ads the world's most sensitive rod.No,they are decent rods but dead feeling.I'd keep the rods and buy better reels.I.ve noticed that too about combo if you can buy the rod and reel separately the combo ones look cheaper almost like seconds.
 
Slightly unrelated, but this looks too cool not to share.

[video=youtube;229DberHIdc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=229DberHIdc[/video]
 
BnM makes good stuff. Also check out the Cherrywood line of rods and some of the Shimano rods in the same price range.


-X
 
I is hard to beat uglystik catfish rods, Shakespeare maker of uglystik sells a wildcat line of catfish rods I like as well . even the tiger or tiger cat combo's sold at wally world for $20 have decent rods for catfish. I like some of the eagle claw fiberglass rods. Sensitivity isn't a big need for cat fish as a big cat will take bait line rod and all if it isn't tied down.
I catch a lot of cats on Cuban yo yo reels. I always have one in the car
Roy
 
DB731 said:
I would not mind derailing this dilemma thread slightly with those experiences. Please tell us more! :) Have some cool pics?
Click to expand...
Don't have many pictures . I mainly fish Tenkara (Japanese fly rod) for panfish Many times I take a Cuban yo-yo reel rigged with an egg sinker and a circle hook and fish for cats I cast it out put a tent peg in the center. When the catfish runs it just spins around the tent peg. you just pick it up when it runs out of slack in the line the circle hook pretty much sets itself. I set it out and fish with the fly rod and just keep an eye on it. I will also carry one when biking along the river they take up so little room , they are easy to fit on the bike
pic00224.jpg

NCM_0044_zps323ce5f6.jpg

On the front rack of my bicycle
NCM_0222_zpsze1ckpxy.jpg

Roy
 
plumberroy said:
Don't have many pictures . I mainly fish Tenkara (Japanese fly rod) for panfish Many times I take a Cuban yo-yo reel rigged with an egg sinker and a circle hook and fish for cats I cast it out put a tent peg in the center. When the catfish runs it just spins around the tent peg. you just pick it up when it runs out of slack in the line the circle hook pretty much sets itself. I set it out and fish with the fly rod and just keep an eye on it. I will also carry one when biking along the river they take up so little room , they are easy to fit on the bike
pic00224.jpg

NCM_0044_zps323ce5f6.jpg

On the front rack of my bicycle
NCM_0222_zpsze1ckpxy.jpg

Roy
Click to expand...

Neat. Heavier mono I assume? I bet it would be a little strenuous to run spoons and spinners with that set-up, but I can see myself chucking a 6-8 inch sucker for the Esox crowd to consider. I love the tent peg idea!
 
Evil bay I like the bright colored ones . Less than $5 shipped If you notice the orange one has a line from a sharpie on it that is so I can tell if it has moved or if something is slowly moving off with the bait. I run 30 lb test for fresh water.
 
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