The added stiffness makes the Elite ideal for manipulating lures and giving them “action” (a fishing term for making lures dance or hobble like wounded prey). Another problem with the Ugly Stik GX2 is that the guides are not always perfectly placed. This is something you’re likely to find in any mass-produced base-level spinning-rod model; it’s not something children will notice.
That flexible tip means it won’t be ideal for manipulating lures, but we think the added versatility is more valuable to most fishers—especially beginners. While the GX2 isn’t better than a specialist rod in either application, it is a capable performer in both—which can’t be said of the Ugly Stik Tiger or the Penn Squadron. What makes the Ugly Stik GX2 so much more durable and versatile than other rods is that it uses both graphite and fiberglass to provide sensitivity and strength without sacrificing too much of either. It features a primarily graphite shaft for stiffness, along with a soft, clear, and flexible fiberglass tip.
Shakespeare also manufactures practical fishing seat boxes for tackle management as well as offering a nice little rest off your feet. Many of the seat boxes are ideal for match fishing with their bright blue and black colours but could be used in other disciplines for how useful they are at organising your tackle. Unlike other seat boxes where you shakespeare fishing reel get one big compartment to chuck all your gear and probably have some tangled tackle, the Shakespeare seat boxes are fully loaded with an extra deep storage lid, side trays and a comfy cushion top. Apart from the Saguaro’s less durable guides, the primarily graphite rod is more brittle, and less likely to survive a spill or a misplaced foot.
I brought my cheapo Shimano FXS rod on several trips to test beside the others. Though I’ve owned and used these rods for nearly two decades, I won’t recommend them. They’re functional, and I’ve managed to land fairly large fish on them, but they’re brittle and unreliable.
I’m a United States Coast Guard–certified master captain, and I have been fishing since I could walk. I grew up working on charter boats in and around Long Island Sound, and reliable fishing gear has been paramount not only to my profession but also to my life. This rod is a dependable workhorse, especially when casting heavier lures, but it may be too stiff for bait and bottom fishing. Do Shakespeare fishing rods lack a little of the refinement and some of the bells and whistles of their competitors? I’ve never actually been satisfied with the overall performance of the fishing rod. I’ve put my Ugly Stik fishing rods through hell, and apart from being very faded, not even a line guide has been compromised.
For example, you’d not be using rods like this Ugly Stik Tiger to park up a distance from the tuna school and start casting poppers. This is more about trolling or dropping big flesh and live baits, floating baits, or even jigging. With this rod in your hands, you’re set to tackle sharks, kingies, grouper and more. The Shakespeare Wild Series Spinning Rod 9’ is a full graphite rod, cork handle 2 piece. It’s lightweight, responsive, and when well balanced, casts a country mile.
The famous Ugly Stik construction gives these rods an advantage for fighting trophy-sized fish. Receive new product releases, exclusive deals, and deep discounts delivered to your inbox. The Shakespeare objective is simple, they want to make fishing easy and enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, keeping your reel packed with grease will reduce corrosion and improve longevity. You can find reel grease in almost any outdoor-sporting store, but if you’re not confident in taking your reel apart to apply grease, having it done in-store would be worthwhile.