Need Help Choosing a New Rod
- Thread starter nes999
- Start date
Ugly Stick are great rods no doubt. They are my favorite rods and your 6' Ugly with that reel is more than enough. Just spool it with braids if you want to take it all around without worrying about line being too thick or will break. Just add a proper swivel size and so you can change your leader line.
If you want another rod, just get another Ugly Stick. I don't even hesitate when pulling a 30lbs+ salmon on a 5' Ugly Stick spooled with 30lbs Power Pro Braid.
If you want another rod, just get another Ugly Stick. I don't even hesitate when pulling a 30lbs+ salmon on a 5' Ugly Stick spooled with 30lbs Power Pro Braid.
You are going to get all kinds of opinions.
I have a ton of rods for different applications, but the one that I use the most for it's versatility has a medium action 6' g-loomis rod and a shimano chronarch baitcaster with 8lb test.
This covers most for me, but I have other rods for different situations. One will never cover them all, but you can find a happy medium.
You also need to find one you are comfortable and confident with. If you have no confidence in your gear you will always regret buying it.
I have a ton of rods for different applications, but the one that I use the most for it's versatility has a medium action 6' g-loomis rod and a shimano chronarch baitcaster with 8lb test.
This covers most for me, but I have other rods for different situations. One will never cover them all, but you can find a happy medium.
You also need to find one you are comfortable and confident with. If you have no confidence in your gear you will always regret buying it.
I too love my G. Loomis rods, I have quite a few. they are expensive but well worth it. I like them better than my St. Croix but they do cost more. but you get what you pay for. well balanced, light and strong. casts like a dream. very sensitive too.
the SJR782 GL3 is my favorite spinning rod.
the SJR782 GL3 is my favorite spinning rod.
I'd probably suggest 2 rods as well for that target species list. Your current rod is a good 'middle of the road' though. Usually can't go wrong with an Ugly Stick.
For panfish and perch I generally use a 5' ultra-light fast action. Never felt the need to cast a jig 200' with a 16' rod, when I can fill up baskets within 20 feet of the boat. Only use a 4# test braid on it too with an ultralight reel. The rod+reel weigh almost nothing and let you feel even the slightest bumps and nibbles on your jig.
For Stripers, LMB, Cats and such your current rod should hold up well. I'd just go with that and get ya a lighter rod for panfish.
For panfish and perch I generally use a 5' ultra-light fast action. Never felt the need to cast a jig 200' with a 16' rod, when I can fill up baskets within 20 feet of the boat. Only use a 4# test braid on it too with an ultralight reel. The rod+reel weigh almost nothing and let you feel even the slightest bumps and nibbles on your jig.
For Stripers, LMB, Cats and such your current rod should hold up well. I'd just go with that and get ya a lighter rod for panfish.
I mostly use it cause it's smaller diameter line so I can fit more on my reel than the equivalent #Test Mono. For comparison, 20# Test braid has the equivalent diameter of 6# Test Mono. If you normally use 6# then you can slap on 20# braid and effectively have 3-4 times the line strength. That's basically what Braided line is all about, same strength (or better) in a smaller diameter line than Mono. Where you're fishing (Salt/Fresh) or what you're trying to catch probably don't matter much on line selection. Braid and Mono are both decent choices, just a matter of personal preference.
Only negative thing I've noticed about Braid is when using spinners, the braided line won't untist like mono does. Use a spinner on Braided line for a day and at some point you're gonna end up with a tangled mess. Other than that though, braid seems like a superior product to me for general use.
Only negative thing I've noticed about Braid is when using spinners, the braided line won't untist like mono does. Use a spinner on Braided line for a day and at some point you're gonna end up with a tangled mess. Other than that though, braid seems like a superior product to me for general use.
BIG_ONE;4621497; said:Ugly Stick are great rods no doubt. They are my favorite rods and your 6' Ugly with that reel is more than enough. Just spool it with braids if you want to take it all around without worrying about line being too thick or will break. Just add a proper swivel size and so you can change your leader line.
If you want another rod, just get another Ugly Stick. I don't even hesitate when pulling a 30lbs+ salmon on a 5' Ugly Stick spooled with 30lbs Power Pro Braid.
Uh... yeah never used a leader line. i have some in yee olde takle box. but never truly understood why one would need it.
