The 5' ultralight UglyStik still has the old action. My 5'6" rod I use is an old one I found at an estate sale so it has a lot of action. It had the original longs drugs price tag on it for $19! I get most of the big trout in my videos on my lake Tahoe, reservoir, and river fishing playlists on my 5' ultralight. The only time It got a little sketchy was in the video where I get a big mackinaw on it in Emerald bay. That rod was old and literally fell apart after I battled one more fat rainbow in the Truckee after that. It served me well though and punched way above it's weight class for years.
The first ugly stik I used was my best friend's, I haven't seen him in about 20 years. He bought his because he said they were indestructible. I decided to buy myself the elite series 7' medium for general fishing about 6 years ago, it's still around and I use it for smallmouth bass, carp and what not. A few years after I got that one, I decided to get the ultralight elite 5'. It instantly became my favorite rod. I replaced the top guide because it got grooved out from 8lb fireline, but other than that I still have it. I've been through 3 rods in the last 2 years because I thought I'd get more sensitivity and better casts from something else. Boy was I wrong. I just broke my fenwick hmg, gonna go back to the ugly stik. I didn't like the moderate action the fenwick had. Very flimsy rod. The tip got caught on a shrub and it busted the tip 2 guides down. Sick of these rods that always break, total trash!
I love the 5' ultralight because it's tough and I can throw it around when I'm climbing on rocks. It's my favorite rod as well. The larger rods by Ugly Stik are way too stiff for my liking. I have a 5'6" Ugly Stik I got brand new at a yard sale that is so old it had the original longs drug store price tag on it for $19 and that one has a lot of action like the Ugly Stiks used to have back in the day. I was stoked I found that because it will last me for years. I got the 5'6" Ugly Stik in the elite series and it was as stiff as a board and I hated it. I often have to replace the top eye as well because of grooves. It gets a little shorter each time!
Thanks for the recent rod reviews. I recently had 2 small ultra lites snap on me(both Walmart cheapies on clearance). I’ve always used ugly sticks and just happened to see your videos before purchasing. Amazon currently has 17% off the same rod but 6’6. I agree 5ft is better for streams and hiking, but I’m also a sucker for sale prices👍🎣
Glad you could find something you can work with. Very frustrating to see that extreme difference in action on the same series. I always said I would never buy a fly rod that I hadn’t cast. But of course I did. And, also of course, I was often disappointed.
Amani. Great content as always. I think that the ultralight will keep a hook set better especially with barbless hooks, the stiffer rod no so much if you know what I mean.
Yeah, this ultralight rod will be great for my river fishing action. I think's it's going to do some work in Lake Tahoe and reservoirs as well. I plan to run that thing into the ground!
Great post! I've been looking to replace my 5.5' UL rod that I recently broke. Following your last post, I was looking at ugly sticks. Was feeling those out just today in Reno and sure enough, the 5.0" feels great but the 5'6" feels like a broomstick all the way down to the handle. I'd rather have a 5.5' but the slow action just makes it pretty useless. I'm ordering the 5.0' today. I like a very fast tip and a medium butt section. I'd love to see one of the 3pc 5.0' rods but nobody seems to have 'em.
The 5' ultralight is nice because it has a lot of action but it's not too flimsy. "broomstick" is an accurate description of what I experienced with the 5'6" rod I got!
THe difference between lite and ultra lite is quite drastic, glad the ultra lite meets your needs for a the games of chess and battles ahead! I hope it is as durable as the old ones!
It's very similar to the old 5' Ugly Stiks. That 5'6" rod has zero action. It's as stiff as a board. I'm throwing it into my storage closet. The old 5'6" rod I got new at an estate sale with the original $29 Walgreens price tag is awesome. Heavier than the 5' rod but still has a lot of action in the top. That was an unbelievable find.
I use the dock runner for ice fishing. The thing was less than $20 but it fights big trout. Landed a 20" rainbow through the ice last year on that thing.
U want that ultralight for these rivers man, that long smooth bend keeps the fish pinned better. Where a stiffer acts like a spring door stop n can pop the hook out. Same reason fly rods are long n flexible. Or even u search bfs trout fishing japan all they use is ultralight thats so thin n like a noodle.
Would you say this works for bass fishing? I would really love to get an ultralight rod with about 10lb braid to 8lb floro, fish 1/4-1/2 oz jigs (i read the 7' can go to 5/8 oz) and fish at the lake
I would say it would work for bass fishing if there is a lot of open water. The 5'6" elite series Ugly Stik is way stiffer and would probably do better if you have to drag a bass out of weeds or something like that. It's still pretty light but I don't like that rod for trout fishing. The 5' ultralight would be great for smallmouth that were out in the open and wouldn't try to swim you straight into cover.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 Thanks for the insightful reply! I'll do some more research into it, maybe a rod about in the middle like 6'. The cover does vary at the lake so I think I may just stick with something a bit stiffer. Thank you!
Armani a light action rod is stiffer by design than an ultra-light rod. You just bought the wrong action. I bought some Shakespeare Micro rods that were supposed to ultralight but were light action. They are not what I wanted, but good for the grandkids. I have been doing some micro jig fishing on the lakes here in SD and everyone one is using Phoenix 8-9’ ultralight rods to toss 1/64 &1/32 oz jigs. I wanted something cheaper and Shakespeare had a 9’ ultra light rod that people really like , but they got all bought out. Anyway I have an 8’ ultralight ugly stick that works preset good. Shakespeare does have a 5’ micro series rod that is ultralight for $20 that are highly rated. Check one out.
That 5'6" rod has no action. Stiff as a board. The old 5'6" Ugly Stik rod I got at an estate sale with the original $29 Walgreens sticker on it is also says light action which is exactly what it is. A stiffer rod but still with some action at the top. Maybe times have changed. I'll just go get a rod the same size for $30-$40 that bends a little. As far as Ugly Stik is concerned, I think my cut off in size is the 5' ultralight.
You got that right. The "light" rod is as stiff as a tree branch but the 5' ultralight is like the old Ugly Stiks. Fortunate for me, I like to use 5' rods so I guess The will be the only size Ugly Stik rod I buy going forward.
I think that's just what they make for rods beyond the 5' ultralight. At least that's what I gather from some of the commenters. Who knows, that thing is sitting in the storage closet for now. The 5' ultralight is great.
Just bought the one piece.... first ultra light rig in 45 years of fishing. I love it. Inexpensive and very nice looking.
The 5' ultralight UglyStik still has the old action. My 5'6" rod I use is an old one I found at an estate sale so it has a lot of action. It had the original longs drugs price tag on it for $19! I get most of the big trout in my videos on my lake Tahoe, reservoir, and river fishing playlists on my 5' ultralight. The only time It got a little sketchy was in the video where I get a big mackinaw on it in Emerald bay. That rod was old and literally fell apart after I battled one more fat rainbow in the Truckee after that. It served me well though and punched way above it's weight class for years.
Bought the same rod about a month ago. Tried it out a few times in my local lagoon this past weekend. I LOVE IT!!!! So much fun. 🤘🏼
Right on. Yeah, I like the battle you get on a small rod like that.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 add some 1/16oz or 1/32oz Hookup Baits…. Deadly!
The first ugly stik I used was my best friend's, I haven't seen him in about 20 years. He bought his because he said they were indestructible. I decided to buy myself the elite series 7' medium for general fishing about 6 years ago, it's still around and I use it for smallmouth bass, carp and what not. A few years after I got that one, I decided to get the ultralight elite 5'. It instantly became my favorite rod. I replaced the top guide because it got grooved out from 8lb fireline, but other than that I still have it. I've been through 3 rods in the last 2 years because I thought I'd get more sensitivity and better casts from something else. Boy was I wrong. I just broke my fenwick hmg, gonna go back to the ugly stik. I didn't like the moderate action the fenwick had. Very flimsy rod. The tip got caught on a shrub and it busted the tip 2 guides down. Sick of these rods that always break, total trash!
I love the 5' ultralight because it's tough and I can throw it around when I'm climbing on rocks. It's my favorite rod as well. The larger rods by Ugly Stik are way too stiff for my liking. I have a 5'6" Ugly Stik I got brand new at a yard sale that is so old it had the original longs drug store price tag on it for $19 and that one has a lot of action like the Ugly Stiks used to have back in the day. I was stoked I found that because it will last me for years. I got the 5'6" Ugly Stik in the elite series and it was as stiff as a board and I hated it. I often have to replace the top eye as well because of grooves. It gets a little shorter each time!
Thanks for the recent rod reviews. I recently had 2 small ultra lites snap on me(both Walmart cheapies on clearance). I’ve always used ugly sticks and just happened to see your videos before purchasing. Amazon currently has 17% off the same rod but 6’6.
I agree 5ft is better for streams and hiking, but I’m also a sucker for sale prices👍🎣
That 5' Ultralight rod is old school. If you can get a good price on something that works for you and what you like to do, pull the trigger!
Glad you could find something you can work with. Very frustrating to see that extreme difference in action on the same series. I always said I would never buy a fly rod that I hadn’t cast. But of course I did. And, also of course, I was often disappointed.
Been there, done that! If you can't hold the rod and feel the action it's a craps shoot sometimes!
Amani. Great content as always. I think that the ultralight will keep a hook set better especially with barbless hooks, the stiffer rod no so much if you know what I mean.
Yeah, this ultralight rod will be great for my river fishing action. I think's it's going to do some work in Lake Tahoe and reservoirs as well. I plan to run that thing into the ground!
Great post! I've been looking to replace my 5.5' UL rod that I recently broke. Following your last post, I was looking at ugly sticks. Was feeling those out just today in Reno and sure enough, the 5.0" feels great but the 5'6" feels like a broomstick all the way down to the handle. I'd rather have a 5.5' but the slow action just makes it pretty useless. I'm ordering the 5.0' today. I like a very fast tip and a medium butt section. I'd love to see one of the 3pc 5.0' rods but nobody seems to have 'em.
The 5' ultralight is nice because it has a lot of action but it's not too flimsy. "broomstick" is an accurate description of what I experienced with the 5'6" rod I got!
THe difference between lite and ultra lite is quite drastic, glad the ultra lite meets your needs for a the games of chess and battles ahead! I hope it is as durable as the old ones!
It's very similar to the old 5' Ugly Stiks. That 5'6" rod has zero action. It's as stiff as a board. I'm throwing it into my storage closet. The old 5'6" rod I got new at an estate sale with the original $29 Walgreens price tag is awesome. Heavier than the 5' rod but still has a lot of action in the top. That was an unbelievable find.
Lol. I bought a dock runner and a lews laser sg 300 to fight some Texas flounder
I use the dock runner for ice fishing. The thing was less than $20 but it fights big trout. Landed a 20" rainbow through the ice last year on that thing.
This video is pure perfection.
Right on.
U want that ultralight for these rivers man, that long smooth bend keeps the fish pinned better. Where a stiffer acts like a spring door stop n can pop the hook out. Same reason fly rods are long n flexible. Or even u search bfs trout fishing japan all they use is ultralight thats so thin n like a noodle.
I've been on the light tackle for years now. Love it.
Thank you for the review!
Glad to do it.
Would you say this works for bass fishing? I would really love to get an ultralight rod with about 10lb braid to 8lb floro, fish 1/4-1/2 oz jigs (i read the 7' can go to 5/8 oz) and fish at the lake
I would say it would work for bass fishing if there is a lot of open water. The 5'6" elite series Ugly Stik is way stiffer and would probably do better if you have to drag a bass out of weeds or something like that. It's still pretty light but I don't like that rod for trout fishing. The 5' ultralight would be great for smallmouth that were out in the open and wouldn't try to swim you straight into cover.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 Thanks for the insightful reply! I'll do some more research into it, maybe a rod about in the middle like 6'. The cover does vary at the lake so I think I may just stick with something a bit stiffer. Thank you!
I have two and bought them many years ago. Still work great andI fish 4 times a week.. Sadly, It looks like the company has lowered its quality.
Seems to be that way to me as well.
Armani a light action rod is stiffer by design than an ultra-light rod. You just bought the wrong action. I bought some Shakespeare Micro rods that were supposed to ultralight but were light action. They are not what I wanted, but good for the grandkids. I have been doing some micro jig fishing on the lakes here in SD and everyone one is using Phoenix 8-9’ ultralight rods to toss 1/64 &1/32 oz jigs. I wanted something cheaper and Shakespeare had a 9’ ultra light rod that people really like , but they got all bought out. Anyway I have an 8’ ultralight ugly stick that works preset good. Shakespeare does have a 5’ micro series rod that is ultralight for $20 that are highly rated. Check one out.
That 5'6" rod has no action. Stiff as a board. The old 5'6" Ugly Stik rod I got at an estate sale with the original $29 Walgreens sticker on it is also says light action which is exactly what it is. A stiffer rod but still with some action at the top. Maybe times have changed. I'll just go get a rod the same size for $30-$40 that bends a little. As far as Ugly Stik is concerned, I think my cut off in size is the 5' ultralight.
Congratulations on the new Rods the difference is ultralight and Light!…
You got that right. The "light" rod is as stiff as a tree branch but the 5' ultralight is like the old Ugly Stiks. Fortunate for me, I like to use 5' rods so I guess The will be the only size Ugly Stik rod I buy going forward.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 Yeah all of my trout rods are ultralight, Tightlines!🎣
Maybe you can use the stiff rod to whack down the brush you walk through.Do they make the 5' ultra lite in a two piece?
They should and I hope so. I can't hike with the one piece on my pack.
Thankyou
Right on.
#48👍🏻📱👀👂🏼
I have several 6' and 6'6" Ugly Sticks. They are my favorite blanks to start building upon.
Right on. We all find what works best for us and what we like to do and roll with it. If we can catch fish, it's good enough.
At 56 yo and 51+ years of fishing experience, I'm happy with my fair priced setups.
I like, I share, I subscribe. Now get a new flannel. The rod is fine
Fortunately for me I don't have a fashion channel and what I where doesn't effect my ability to catch fish.
Maybe you got a lemon LOL
I think that's just what they make for rods beyond the 5' ultralight. At least that's what I gather from some of the commenters. Who knows, that thing is sitting in the storage closet for now. The 5' ultralight is great.