Looking for the perfect spinning rod to complement your spinning reel? Look no further because the Ugly Stik Elite is going to be the best one for you. Don’t let the name fool you either. The Ugly Stik Elite has a variety of sizes available for you and each one is widely popular.

Let’s explore what makes the Ugly Stick a bestseller.

Design

Ugly Stik has a variety of sizes available ranging from 4’6″ to 7’6″ with different weights between them. While not exactly related to the quality of the rod itself, it’s nice to know I can pick up a lighter or heavier rod of the same design if I wish. It beats having to get an entirely different one.

The Elite eliminates unnecessary bells and whistles that might come with higher end spinning rods. The handle is constructed of tough, stable cork while the extended rod is made of graphite. This graphite construction gives the rod above average strength but still keeps the overall weight low.

Depending on the length of the rod you purchase, you could have one or two seats. The seats are stainless steel and designed for maximum versatility should you get the slightest of bites at the end of the line.

Uses

For this rod, you’re going to want any type of spinning reel that works best for you. Beware of adding more weight, however, as it will become more difficult to handle. The reels themselves are usually mounted above the handle. The benefit of spinning reels is that they are interchangeable between the left and right hand and thus applicable to a wider range of experience levels.

The cork handle is something to appreciate as well. It’s as good of a grip as rubber and gives you a nostalgic feeling when using it. Owners of the Ugly Stick Elite have used it to catch everything from steelhead to trout and even bass.

If you start using line beyond 8lb’s, be aware that this is approaching the Ugly Stik’s maximum capability. Some owners have remarked that 10lb lines are creating grooves in the seats, which usually points to breakdown in the future.

Overall

Strength, durability, good handling are some of the most important factors when considering your next rod. We feel that the Ugly Stik checks all those boxes, making it a great overall rod.

One suggestion we have for a spinning reel is Pflueger’s President Spinning Wheel, a stable and corrosive resistant reel that’ll make an excellent addition to this rod. The best part is that its about the same price as the Ugly Stik. You can pick up both items for a total of around $100.

Bottom Line: We think the Ugly Stik is the spinning rod for you because its cheap, applicable for a range of reels, and its construction means its durable for years to come. Furthermore, its backed by a seven-year warranty should defects occur.

Thank the Ugly Stik is the rod for you? Click the link below to see the current price.

Fishing reels may look simple but depending on the type of waters you’re in an what fish you’re hunting for. Plueger’s President Spinning Reel is a real workhorse in the reel industry.

Design

The President is constructed of corrosion resistant graphite and stainless steel. On the outside, it has a smooth blue and gold finish that highlights the aluminum spool. For the most part, the President’s ten-bearing design performs well even years after its first initial casting. A small but noticeable feature about this particular spinning reel is that the knob is interchangeable between the right and left-hand sides for people of both orientations.

As a spinning reel, the President can cast lighter lines farther and the lures themselves can sink deeper into the water without arcing away from the reel. How is this so?

Nine of the bearings are stainless steel while the tenth is an anti-reverse bearing, allowing for a smooth all-around spin as the line is cast. The graphite construction keeps the President overall weight at around 8oz, perfect when dealing with larger fish.

 

Uses

Depending on the size you get (30, 35, 40), the President is going to handle a wide range of lines and lores. For a standard, the 30 reel holds about 145 yards of 6lb line and 130 yards of 8lb line.

While the President can handle the pressure from most attachments, what about the fish? We’ve seen this reel being used when people catch fish like steelhead, trout, bass, salmon, and everything smaller. For an 8oz reel, the President really does punch in above its weight.

 

Overall

In our honest opinion, the President is all you need in a well made, budget reel. Due to its corrosion resistant construction, you can expect that it will last a long time if you routinely check it for defects. For many of the President’s owners, the price has been a huge factor because replacing this reel won’t break the bank if its beyond repair.

Bottom Line: We think the President is an excellent purchase at this price and for this reliable of a construction. A majority of the President’s happy customers have stated that this reel is perfect for all experiences from beginner to expert.

The Humminbird HELIX 5 DI GPS fish finder is one of the first devices in the HELIX line of fish finders. The HELIX line contains some of the most diverse and advanced fish finders on the market courtesy of Humminbird. What’s so special about the oldest model in the series? Let’s find out.

Design

One of the big reasons Humminbird’s HELIX series is so popular is that the display screens are so large. The entire body of the HELIX is large enough that it requires a gimbal. Many users with wheel driven boats usually attach this right above said wheel.

The HELIX 5 has a handful of buttons and a directional pad to help you mark locations and navigate the finder’s various abilities. Since the HELIX 5 is still one of the more advanced fish finders on the market, you’ll be happy to know that it’s pretty easy to handle and understand.

Abilities

The HELIX 5 DI employs three different types of sonar:

CHRIP Digital Sonar–Common on all HELIX devices. CHRIP sonar is HELIX’s most basic form of sonar that’s still powerful enough to differentiate between fish, bait, and structures that may be lying in the water.

SwitchFire Sonar–SwitchFire sonar actually lets you interact with the data that you get from the initial beaming. Using the buttons on the control panel, you can filter out things like temperature, depth, and turbulence in the water.

DualBeam PLUS Sonar–This type of sonar is pretty interesting because it combines range with detail. If you want to cover a wider area, two beams will combine to extend over a distance equal to your current depth.

Three different types of sonar make the HELIX 5 and the rest of the HELIX series some of the most popular fish finders. However, No fish finder would be great if it didn’t have navigation capabilities.

The HELIX 5 comes GPS equipped, so you can keep track of where you are and where you’ve been at all times. Furthermore, this finder comes equipped with Humminbird Basemap, or underwater maps of over 10,000 lakes and coasts around the U.S. These maps identify the elevation of underwater terrain, buoys, markers, and other manmade objects. Basemap was built in with the idea to give you even more of an edge over other fish finders.

All of this is made possible by the processing power of the HELIX 5 and the widescreen it uses to display sonar data. Even though the HELIX 5 is the oldest model in the HELIX series, it still compares nicely with the newer models and other fish finders of similar design.

Uses

While Humminbird’s Basemap is limited to just bodies of water in and around the U.S., but its only one application of many for the HELIX 5. The sonar abilities combined with the GPS make searching for fish and plotting your course remarkably simple.

Overall

For the earliest model of HELIX finders, the HELIX 5 really impresses. It may be more difficult to find in stores nowadays (besides online), as Humminbird has upgraded and advanced the HELIX series a number of times.

Nevertheless, the HELIX 5 is definitely one of the cheaper models due to its age and still has the same sonar capabilities as the latest versions. Humminbird products will also be a bit of an investment, but the HELIX 5 would still be a great addition to your fishing arsenal.