Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo

I bought two of these to keep on the dock at our lake house to be used for anyone who is visiting or wants to fish. They are not the fanciest but it gets the job done. So far they are holding up very well and catching lots of fish. We tend to break or loose (to fish pulling them in the water) over the course of the summer so we don't need anything expensive and are perfect.

Got this combo for a family vacation to the lake - my kids wanted to learn how to fish and I hadn't picked up a rod in 25 years since I was a kid myself. Ugly Stik was a name I remembered from my childhood, and, while I know they aren't a super premium brand, I trusted them more than the other generic stuff I found online for under $50 so I took a chance and bought it. No regrets.It is exactly what I expected - a very functional, serviceable combo at a budget price. I've had it almost 2 seasons now and have landed dozens and dozens of largemouth on it. As I got back into fishing, I have slowly been upgrading my gear, and I definitely appreciate many of the features that more expensive rods and reels offer. With that said, I don't think you can really spend a better $50 to get started with a combo.This combo had no problem landing me many 1-3 pound fish, and it even landed my new PB bass - a massive 6 and a half pounder!!! For that alone, this combo will always be special to me and I feel satisfied I have already gotten great value from my purchase. Happy with the durability so far, but this isn't a piece I expect to hand down to my children. If it were to break tomorrow, I'm happy with it, anything more is icing on the cake.The real isn't bad in terms of drag, smoothness, casting, etc. The weight of this combo is great and I like the balance. I'm a bank fisherman and need 2-piece rods. This one is as solid as any others I have and the real is better than some generics I have felt on similar combos. I've used lines ranging from 6lb-10lb, mono and braid, and lures tilted to the light side, 1/16-1/2. Not the combo I'd want for throwing half-ounce crankbaits all day, but if you're using lighter lures and you're on a tight budget, idk how you can do much better.Good Luck & Happy Fishing!!!

I saw some ugly reviews but took a chance because of the sale. Besides having to wait 30 days for the delivery, the rod and reel came in perfect condition. They were well packaged and I went fishing later that day. No problems whatsoever. I got a 7ft ultralight ugly stick for $44. I’m very pleased.

I have used this rod and reel combo for about a month now it has provide a great experience. I love the sensitivity of it. The only thing I wish was little better was the reel but I can’t complain about the price. So for this fishing season I’ve caught rainbows and brook trout with it!

The reel is not that great but I was planning on putting my Penn reels on anyways. It’s an ugly stick!! They are tough affordable and you can beat the crap out of them. I just spooled the reels up that came with it and tossed them in my tackle box as a backup.

I've always liked Shakespeare ugly stiks until my recent purchase of 2 rod & reel combos for my son-in-law and daughter for Christmas. I put line on both reels and set th m up to go bluegill fishing. The first time my son-in-law got a bite, as he reeled in the small bluegill, the reel handle just fell off. The FIRST time it was used. Discovered the pin fell out of the cheep plastic handle. Just be aware that newer Shakespeare fishing rods and reels are NOT made well like they used to be. Then I find out that it's under warranty for 1 year and if I fill,out forms, send this junk reel to them PLUS include $6.95 for shipping. I can buy a steel replacement handle for $7 and fix it myself and buy them another brand this Christmas. Not a happy fisherman

Easy way to get into ultralight fishing. Casts well, strong rod, decent reel. The reel isn't the smoothest but you definitely get a functional combo that's worth the money and without defects.

For the price, it would be tough to find a better combo. It easily landed a several pound largemouth bass on the first trip out.