Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod Review – Should You Buy It?

Here is my Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod review.

Fishing is an extraordinary outdoor sport that teaches you alot besides being enjoyable. However, picking the wrong gear could miss things up. In this article, I am reviewing one of the most famous rods provided Ugly Stik.

Ugly Stik is well known for providing high quality durable fishing rods at a pretty affordable price point. You don’t have to worry about fighting too many battles with big fish if you’re using an Ugly Stik rod. But is that the case with Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod too?

We will find out:

 Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod Review

Detailed overview

Now, I will be going in detail about the primary features of Ugly Stik Elite along with listing the pros and cons of it at the very end of this section. 

User-Friendly

This rod is flexible and compatible with various types of fishing lines which means you won’t have to worry about which line to pick a lot. It also comes with a comfortable handle that enables you to fish for long hours without getting fatigued quickly. 

It’s also simple to put any reel on this rod and start fishing. You won’t find problems with your reel coming loose. For an inexpensive fishing rod, it feels good and comfortable in hands. However, it runs a bit small and may not be suitable for some reels. 

Note that Ugly Stik Elite works better with braided lines and produces better sensitivity.

Comfortably balanced

You’ve to achieve an ideal equilibrium while holding the rod. Why?

Because you will be holding it for a long time and you don’t want to get exhausted and tired easily. It Uglystick Elite case works fine with guides to make a comfortable fundamental equilibrium for your hands. 

Multiple Size Options In One Place

This rod offers a variety of sizes, powers and types. The length ranges from 6′ to 7′. The power ranges from Ultra Light to Medium Heavy. You can also get 1 or 2 pcs. 

This way you can get a model that is suitable for your usual fishing trip. Whether you’re targeting large or small species, you should be able to find a suitable model in their collection. 

Note that the 1 pcs rod delivers better sensitivity, but the 2pcs rod is better for travelling purposes. The rod is also lightweight enough for travelling and easy transport.

Cork Handle

The Cork handle is a pretty good one and more popular than foam ones. It’s more comfortable and offers cushion and warmth. The drawback is that it’s less durable than EVA foam grips and it’s harder to clean too. 

The Graphite Construction

Ugly Stik Elite spinning rod is constructed from graphite. It’s a popular material among fishing rod companies thanks to being lightweight and sturdy at the same time. It offers lighter weight than normal fiberglass rods. [1]

Graphite is also a sensitive material, which means you’re going to feel some of the slightest movements under the water. Ugly Stik Elite is supported with 35% more graphite than GX2 [internal link here]. It’s even stronger and more durable than usual.

The Stainless Steel Guides

These little rings can really affect the quality of your fishing rod. Stainless steel is corrosion and rust resistant and is more durable than ceramic guides. The Ugly Stik Elite rod contains one-piece steel guides which adds more durability than being in the form of pop-outs.

They are also strong and resists bending and damage in case you stored them somewhere improperly.

Ugly Stik’s Xposed blank reel seats

It also featured stainless steel reel seats along with cushioned stainless steel hoods. They are durable, strong and corrosion resistant.

The Clear Tip Design

Rod tips are practically vulnerable to being broken. In Ugly Stik Elite, the tip is crystal clear and made of a tougher material. The blend of both graphite and fibreglass adds more to the responsiveness and strength of the rod. 

Suitable For Saltwater Applications

I like that this rod is versatile and can be used in both freshwater and saltwater fishing. You use it for different species including bluefish, redfish [2], trout and bass. You can also use it with a wide variety of live bait and plastic lures. 

Warranty

Warranty is a good sign that you’re purchasing a quality product. It means that the company can trust how well their products can perform. Ugly Stik Elite spinning rod comes with a 7-year warranty which means you can have almost negligible maintenance costs. 

Affordable Price

At this price point, this rod is offering a pretty good quality. I like how durable and strong it is. Maybe this is the reason this rod has been in the market for so long. 

What Are The Downsides Of Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod?

Well, no fishing rod is full of only benefits. In this case, the rod is a bit stiff and the guides aren’t perfectly centred. The guides don’t make much of a difference though. It’s also not the best for casting lightweight lures

The rod also lacks sensitivity and it is a bit heavy which might be tiring for your hands. The poor packaging is a negative point too. In addition, the stainless steel guides can develop notches when used with braided lines. The notches lead to abrasive surfaces and can cause line destruction. 

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod?

Now, let’s summarise the previous overview with some advantages and drawbacks:

What We Like

• Good quality for the price.
• Very strong and can handle big fish.
• Highly durable.
• High sensitivity with braided lines, but also some destruction in the tip and guides.

What We Hate

• Poor packaging.
• The guides aren’t perfectly centred. 
• The rod is a bit heavy and lacks sensitivity.
• Braided lines cause notches in the stainless steel guides.
• The reel seat is smaller than usual.

 Alternatives

If you don’t think the Ugly Stik Elite isn’t the right one for you, you can check our guides about these alternatives: 

• Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod Review.
• Kastking Perigee II Spinning Rod Review – Is It Worth Buying?

Final Verdict

I think my review about Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod has come to an end. I don’t think that you need my opinion to know that this rod is worth buying. I like how strong and sturdy this rod is. It can bear heavy duty work and large fish species. 

At this price point, this rod is considered a great quality for the price, which is usually the expected from Ugly Stik. However, to be honest, you can’t expect it to compete against the end features of the very high dollar rods.