[fish fighter]

I picked up an Ugly stick 5'-10 medium action at Bass Pro last weekend. I liked the overall feel of the rod but now that I got it home I am afraid it might be a little small. To start out with I will be mainly fishing river and lake banks. I am looking into getting a small boat or kayak later. Will this rod be ok to start out with?

If this rod is ok what reel would go good with it? I am looking at a Abu Garcia cardinal 102 or something in that price range.

 

[kayak ken]

Fish Fighter,
I have a 6' light-med. action that I use from my kayak and I really like it. I also carry a 7' med. action rod, which is good for longer casts. kayaken

 

[lefty]

A couple of "textbook" comments....

A shorter rod is helpful when fishing from the bank because it's easier to negotiate under overhead tree cover.

A lot of paddlers like rods on the order of 7' so that the rod tip can clear the nose of the kayak when you've got a big fish running circles underneath your boat. I can clear the bow of my 12' kayak with a 6'6" rod -- if you get a 16' kayak, you'll either need a longer rod or you'll need to slide forward in your seat -- which certainly isn't a bad thing...

 

[Jeffonc]

Lefty's on the money.

Nothing wrong with starting small. I started as a kid with a 4'6" Daiwa UL combo for bank fishing, then added a MH action 5'6" Ugly Stick caster a couple years later and a Heavy action 5'6" Lightning Rod a few years after that. Caught tons of fish on those using every imaginable tactic of the day. Eventually got the tackle bug and a boat and discovered that I liked medium action 7's best for making long open water casts so I got a handful of those. Moved to kayaks and started fishing the salt and wanted a heavier action in the 7'ers. Now I'm thinking that 7'6" would be nice sometimes for the reasons lefty mentioned. But there have certainly been moments when I was trying to squeeze a cast from shore out through a hole the the brush and I wished I had a smaller, more nimble rod with me.

Another way to put it is that the length of this rod probably won't be the reason you stop fishing, and I can pretty well promise that if you do continue, then this rod won't be the last one you ever buy.

If it feels good to you then I say find a well-matched reel and get on with some fishing!

Looks like that Cardinal 102 is a good size match- 175yds of 6lb. Personally I'd put a backing layer of mono then fill it with 6-8lb diameter/20-30lb test braid on it and use a mono or floro leader when visibility is an issue, but that's me (I like to get my lures back and hate line twist).

 

[straps57]

I am assuming that you are new to fishing and not just kayak fishing? If so I would say the lighter the rod the better. It will be easier to feel the fish bite. Will you be fishing bait or artificials? What type of fish are you targeting? Load the reel up with 6-8lb test and have fun.

 

[NCPIERMAN]

IM A PERSON WITH LIMITED RESOURCES AND I PERSONALLY LOVE THE DIAWA D-SHOCK ROD AND REEL COMBOS IN THE 3500 AND THE 4000 SERIES,7 FT MEDIUM HEAVY SPOOLED WITH MONO AND 150 YRDS POWER PRO 20 POUND TEST,THE RODS AND REELS AT DUDLEYS MARINA IN SWANSBORO RUN 17 WITH THE TAX.
IF I BREAK IT I TOSS IT AND KEEP THE GOOD PARTS AND GET A NEW ONE,WHAT MORE CAN I ASK FOR BUT I PERSONALLY HAVE GOTTEN UP TO 2 YEARS FROM THESE ROD AND REELS AT5 A GREAT PRICE........... I FISH FOR REDS FLOUNDER TROUT GAR AND BOWFIN ALL GREAT FIGHTERS EXCEPT FOR THE SHAKERS AND THESE RODS HOLD UP TO THE ABUSE I PUT THEM THRU

 

[Coach D]

I have a ugly stick combo that I love to death in the size that you are talking about. I have caught bream, crappie, bass, small catfish, fliers, and a small bowfin. Everything smaller then 3 lbs but lots of fun. I have 8 lb mono on it and i love the pull of it. I also have the D shock like ncpierman talked. Love it too.

 

[fish fighter]

Thanks for the help. My prior fishing experiences have been using live bait and just throwing it out and waiting. With that I used a larger setup.

But now I want to expand out artifical lures. Sounds like this will work to start out on. It will help me get a feel of using lures and be easier to lug around looking for the fish. I also want to start out on the smaller ones and work my way up to the big game.

I've checked around and I think I like the cardinal 102 to start out with. It is very smooth and light and very sturdy for the price.

Again thanks for the help and I am looking forward to learning more.

 

[NCPIERMAN]

DIAWA D-SHOCK HAS HELD UP TO A 49 POUND RED DRUM THIS LAST YEAR WITH MY WIFE THEY CAN HANDLE ALMOST ANY THING,I OWNED A CARDINAL YEARS AGO AND NEVER LIKED IT PLUS THE BAIL BROKE A WEEK AFTER HAVING IT.HOPE YOU HAVE LUCK WITH YOURS

 

[fish fighter]

Ok I'll check that out. The ones I saw in the stores were the higher end models but I'll check some more on that one. Thanks for the tip.

 

[NCPIERMAN]

YOUR WELCOME LIKE I SAID THEY ARE WORTH THE MONEY AT 17 BUCKS THATS FOR ROD AND REEL I GET MINE AT DUDLEYS MARINA HERE IN SWANSBORO OTHER PLACES MAY SELL THEM FOR MORE BUT I LOVE DUDLEYS AND THERE PRICES.

 

[capefearfly]

I am a loyal ugly stick owner and have never had a complaint with their rods, there not the prettiest ones out there but they are tuff as nails. I own a 6' 6" moderate action that I have had for several years and have caught several 30 lb cats on it that probably should've broken it in half. You will use a outfit that feels right to you a lot more, even if it seems wrong for the situation, than one that dosen't. After all its about the fishing not the equipment. Take that tackle monkey!