Beginner Inland/Wade/Pier Setup...Ugly Stiks?

[rlynge]

Hello Everyone,

As stated in a previous post, I am a new guy and possess literally no gear. I think wade/Pier fishing is going to me the way to go. I wanted to get your thoughts on something. I know that several folks suggested Penn equipment and although its not expensive I am thinking that I might still go with something else for the time being

Because of affordability and availability, I am really looking at the ugly stik rod and reel combos for my first setup. If everything goes well and I enjoy my experience, I will look to upgrade to Penn equipment in 6 months or so.

I was looking at the 6'6-7' M-MH Ugly Stik GX2 with 15lb braided line and a 15-20lb fluero leader. Does anyone have an opinion on these or have any other Ugly Stik suggestions?

[phillybass]

Ugly stick rods are decent rods but as to the reels I personally don't like them they don't hold up under a fight.

[opiato]

I have the 6'6' m gx2. Decent rod. Little more expensive but much less ugly than the other ugly sticks. Would be good for wading cuz youll have room to let the fish run and tire itself out, but its not gona be your best pier rod if youre targeting any bigger species (neither will 15lb braid). Its better to have something a little tougher on the pier to prevent the fish from running under the pier and cutting your line (happened to me more than once with that rod, but those were big fish). I paired it with a penn fierce 4000 so i cant comment on the reel in the combo, but i hear theyre not very good. If youre tight on funds, maybe buy the combo since its not much more expensive than the rod alone, and save up for a penn fierce while youre waitin for the other reel to break.
honestly, the 7ft mh gx2 and a penn fierce 5000 would be a pretty good compromise between something light enough for wading and strong enough for the pier. Only down side is the mh gx2s are only available as one piece, which is a deal breaker for me only because of transportation and storage. But if u got the room, id go with that.

[baseball4life702]

Please don't buy a Shakespeare reel I will sell you you something better for the same price lol those joke reels will crap out instantly and you'll have wasted money. Where are u buying from? some places will pair better reels with ugly stik as a combo. How much is the combo gimme price and I will find you better for that money.
And forget the braid use mono until you get the feel for things braid works differently around the bridges. But def use flouro leader.

I haven't tried the ugly gx2s yet but haven't heard bad about them, a lot people have something against 2 piece rods but I have never had a problem with them and for me they break less than a 1 piece..

[Moose]

Ugly stick rods are decent rods but as to the reels I personally don't like them they don't hold up under a fight.

ive had my ugly stick inshore select 10-20lb for 3 years and believe me it holds up. that thing has bent like a U and hasn't broken...the only beef i have with the rod is that the reel seat is a little small, but other than that, its been amazing....now as far as reel selection goes i would get something with at least shielded bearings. If you're going to be wading its gonna get wet.

[cantseeme47]

Hurricane calico jacks are $60 got get you one of those leave the ugly sticks on the self