Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod

I bought the 5.5 medium rod to fish while wading for smallmouth bass in the Lake Huron shoreline. I like the feel, design, and price of the rod; though the medium was stiffer than I thought it would be.

purchased the 7 ft. UL for pan fish. like the clear tip.

Got a 9 feet medium and a 6'6 medium. The 9' one is paired with Okuma Avenger 40 and the 6'6 is paired with Lews speed spinning. The 9' one is for big river and big lakes. It even cast 8oz weight with no problem (the river I am fishing in has really strong current). However, the rod is a little on the soft side. One day, I accidentally hooked three sturgeons while striper fishing. All three escaped during the fight. The whole outfit is outgunned of course, but the main reason is that the rod is too soft for a deep hook set. I then bought a ugly stik tiger specifically for sturgeon. The 6'6 one is my cheap crankbait rod. It is soft and sensitive (among fiberglass rods). I use it mainly for rat-l-trap for LMB. Fish usually hook themselves by loading the rod. Together with the lews speed spinning, it casts a mile. Both the rod and the reel are light. I can cast them the whole day without a problem.

This is a nice 2 piece rod that at 9 feet in length is great for surf fishing. I prefer a one-piece, but at 9', you need 2 pieces to get it into the car and down to the beach. A nice flexible, quality rod that has performed well in it's audition and time will tell if it's the new "go-to" rod for the Pacific Surf. Has done well on the surf perch, the Halibut, Corbina, and Calico bass are on the agenda.

Would give it a 5 star rating just for the quality of the eyes.

Would give it a 5 star rating just for the quality of the eyes.

Would give it a 5 star rating just for the quality of the eyes.

I'm strictly a trout guy - spend 2 months each year fishing in the Yellowstone area. I have tried a lot of different trout rods over the years including the high end big name big dollar rods. In my opinion this $39 Shakespeare has them all beat! The tip is lively even with the smaller fish yet the rod is stout enough to handle the lunkers from Yellowstone Lake. Just a great all around rod, its the only rod I take with me each year, and you cannot beat the price!

Best rods I've ever used. I have 7 of them now. They handle anything you can catch with them.

first time buyer of the GX2. I paired this rod with the Okuma Ceymar 55 It will be used primarily for surf perch fishing on the central coast of Ca. I chose he 9 footer for its ability to cast long or short, this is a personal choice and it has been good to me in the past. Moderate action, a small fish is going to feel like a shark! The rod out of the box had some cosmetic issues, it appeared that they had some dust on the blank when they baked it as the finish is gritty in places. I was also surprised that the guides are rather small. I have a Tiger casting rod and they are similar in dia. It caught enough of my attention I double checked the serial numbers for the spinning rod and it was the correct model. This is a finesse rod at 9ft, its rated up to 20lb mono yet only 3/4 ounce lure. Definitely a fun challenge when casting in the wind. I gave it 4 stars due to finish and guide concerns, I have yet to put it through the paces but feel confident it will hold to 4 stars,fishes etc