I have grown up casually fishing with family but have never paid much attention to the actual equipment used. Looking for advice on what size/action rod to get because I can't wrap my head around the fact that the slight variances will really make a big enough difference for me notice.

We are looking at Ugly Sticks or maybe Lightning. We would like to bring 2 rods. Right now we are thinking a 6' medium/light and a 6'6" medium/heavy. Or maybe a 6'6" medium? medium/light? Maybe bring two 6'6" of different actions? We really have no idea.

I'm not sure how much difference 6" makes or the significance between a medium and a light and we're really just looking for a rod that can be versatile. Sort of a jack of trades, master of none situation.

Thanks!

6" can make a big difference in casting difference and ability to handle runs of bigger fish. Not sure what type of style fishing you guys do but if I had to bring just two rods I would bring a 6'6" or around that medium light- fast action for jigging or more finesse presentations. Then a 7' or so medium/ moderate action rod for throwing crankbaits, topwater, trolling, and casting heavier lures longer distances. I am not picky on brands but I do run mostly st. croix brand. Grew up fishing with an ugly stick those are very durable rods that would work well for your "stiffer" rod. Even though medium/ moderate is not that stiff.

Hope that helps some. Let us know if you have more specific questions. This topic is brought up often on this forum so you could always put it in the search bar or scroll to the bottom of the page and click next page and you should be able to find more threads on this topic.

The Ugly Stik will work great if you choose one with some backbone to it. You don't want a noodle when the next fish you catch could be a 35" northern or a 25" walleye.

We typically use 6' rods for jigging and 6'6" rods for trolling / casting. If you're jigging all day, a 6' rod will be less cumbersome than a longer rod. The extra length of the 6'6" rods will get you just a little further away from the boat when trolling and give you a little more distance and control when casting.

Also make sure you have a proper reel with a decent drag. An Ugly Stik and a decent "2500" series (the middle size) Shimano spinning reel should cost you $100 or a little less. Take good care of it and it will last you for years.

I have graduated to St. Croix Premier rods now, but still use the same (or next model up) Shimano reels. Some prefer the Pfleuger President reels and they're good, too.

Good luck fishing! Post pics. :)

My go to BW rod is a 6'6" medium/light spinning rod spooled with 6 lb test. I primarily fish for Brook Trout, Lake Trout and Walleye.

If you are talking 2 rods each I would recommend a 6’ medium light and a 7’ medium. Max out your budget for a quality graphite 6’ ML rig and grab an ugly stick for the other one. Use the ML for jigging and finesse presentations with 6 lb mono. The 7 footer can be used for casting heavier lures and trolling, I would recommend 10 lb mono on this rig.

If one rod per person I would use a medium 6’6” with 8 lb mono.

Pflueger president or similar shimano 2500 will treat you well on all of these rigs.

Good luck!!!!!

I really like the 6’6” Ugly Stik Elite rods (cork butts/handles and a bit better “feel” than the basic ugly stik). They can be a little hard to find, but they’re a great option. I’ve broken at least a few rod tips on canoeing trips, and that’s a real bummer. I’m much less concerned about my ugly stik rod tips breaking. And they still have plenty good feel, in my opinion, for Zulu action, working soft plastics, etc.

I bring a pretty basic 2-piece Ugly Stick GX2 combo, it's a 6' medium/light. I catch plenty of fish on it and it breaks down nice for easy transport. More importantly, at the end of the day if it breaks while tripping, I wont lose any sleep over it. Choice of bait and fishing line are far more important variables than the rod/reel if you ask me. I've seen people reel in monster fish with a stick they found in the woods wrapped with line and a good bait.

Also should mention - mine is pack rod, breaks down into 4 equal pieces. Came with a small carrying tube that I strap to the side of my pack.

Hammertime: "If you are talking 2 rods each I would recommend a 6’ medium light and a 7’ medium. Max out your budget for a quality graphite 6’ ML rig and grab an ugly stick for the other one. Use the ML for jigging and finesse presentations with 6 lb mono. The 7 footer can be used for casting heavier lures and trolling, I would recommend 10 lb mono on this rig.

If one rod per person I would use a medium 6’6” with 8 lb mono.

Pflueger president or similar shimano 2500 will treat you well on all of these rigs.

Good luck!!!!!"

+1

Hammertime: "If you are talking 2 rods each I would recommend a 6’ medium light and a 7’ medium. Max out your budget for a quality graphite 6’ ML rig and grab an ugly stick for the other one. Use the ML for jigging and finesse presentations with 6 lb mono. The 7 footer can be used for casting heavier lures and trolling, I would recommend 10 lb mono on this rig.


If one rod per person I would use a medium 6’6” with 8 lb mono.


Pflueger president or similar shimano 2500 will treat you well on all of these rigs.


Good luck!!!!!"

+1 to the above. A 6'6" medium light or medium action, 8 lb mono, and a decent reel. I won't get into brands because that really comes down to your budget, but I will say that yes, you do get what you pay for. Personally I like Fenwick rods and Pflueger reels - not top of the line but not bottom of the barrel either, quality gear that doesn't break the bank.