Shakespeare Two-Piece Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod

This rod is great, excellent for shore fishing, BUT Amazon, fail to me, I request the smallest shipping posible on this rod because the last rod I buy come in a huge cardbox, like a old TV cardbox, I dont live in US, then that means extra shipping cost for me, THEN, on this rod jus wrap it on a plastic bag, COME ON, is a rod, one guide twist, the rubber pad at the end got a cut, on there is several scratches on diferent pars of the rod, send it back from Costa Rica is almost like buy a new one, must a lest some bubble wrap, or a cardbox cilinder. Any way is a great rod if you like surf fishing, I put the shimano stradic 8000, and looks and works great, you can cast 80yds easy with spiderwire braid line.

I recently took up surf fishing and purchased two 11' Ugly Stik BWS 1100 rods paired with Okuma ABF-65. The rod provides excellent performance. Not sure if I could handle the 12 footer, I selected the 11' because it was still rated up to 8oz lure weight. It is plenty of rod but would probably go for the 12' now.From my research, you can easily spend $200 or more for a high end surf rod but not convinced you would get that much extra performance. Once you get the feel and timing of the rod, you can get good distance and still have good sensitivity.The construction appears to be very good and should provide years of service. The guides are good quality with Fuji inserts.My only complaint / disappointment concerns the reel seat on one of the rods. The back collar slips out of the slot groove which helps keep the reel locked/aligned with the guides, allowing the reel to shift around the rod. You can compensate by holding the reel firmly while tightening the collar but obviously a manufacturing defect. A nuisance you shouldn't have to deal with. I didn't discover until it was past the 30 day return period and don't feel like dealing with Shakespeare to get corrected.I have caught several fish but nothing over 5lbs so can't comment on the rod's ability to handle big game. But given Ugly Stik's reputation for durability, I expect it to be up to the task when it happens.No regrets about the purchase and would buy again.

Let's see, I now have (2) two piece 12 footers that I rarely use, and (6) 15 footers. I have been using these humongous, outrageously long, surf rods for many years and have nothing but respect for them. I have cracked a few eyelets and scratched the snot out of these rods, but that is the extent of the damage despite catching countless large sharks and 150lb stingrays, which fight much harder than sharks ever do.Over the years I have had innumerable people tell me a shorter rod casts longer. If that is the case you are not casting the 15 footer right. I get so much G-force on my casts that I have to use a kevlar finger glove to keep from cutting my finger off. I use Penn Spinfisher SSV10500 reels because you need a huge drag to cast big rods far. With the new braided lines I can cast eight ounce weights with ease and often times I can count to six or seven before my bait hits the water.After the cast, the 15 footer will also get your line well beyond the swimmers and the breakers. But now those pesky paddle boarders are all over my line. Not to worry though because I have no doubt my rod can haul one in if I ever hooked one.And yet the tip of the 15 footer is remarkably sensitive. I can tell when a crab is nibbling on my bait. I have even hooked a few of the unlucky ones. I rig 'em up and cast them back out.Of course there is a negative aspect to holding a 15 footer for any length of time and that is the weight. They do tend to get heavy after an hour or so. But holding a 15' rod is cheaper than any health club!

It is big and tough and is a bit hard to deal with as expected for a 15 ft behemoth but I can apply tremendous pressure on a fish with it. It can sling 1lb of lead and a large bait about 100yds and and has easily defeated a large stingray and a 4ft shark. I paired mine with a Daiwa DF100 Giant Spinning reel and it gets a lot of attention at the beach from people passing by. I am almost 6ft tall and I can leave the butt on the ground for more support and leverage and reel comfortable, I will let the butt pin against my legs for more leverage.

I bought this 10' rod for catfishing and i couldn't be happier! I needed a longer but stronger rod for further casting as i do a lot of bank fishing... I have used ugly stik for years so i trust the brand. And this one hasn't disappointed. It's beautiful! Brought in a 40 pound flathead catfish with it... and this thing bent all the way over with out snapping. Scared me when i heard a small crackle hear and there though... but that was the due to the rod never being bent into that position before. It's been fine with no issues since...

This is just terrible. It is not in the least bit the rod in the picture. I recieved a red gold and black one. The "quality fuji" reel seat is CRAP. It is so loose it could even fit a penn 8000 reel on. Thats the biggest spinner. Its so so thick! twice as thick as any other 10 foot pole, so bulky, dont buy, Ugly stiks are so overrated. And when i bent the rod i could here cracking. Penn and shakespear are usually great, but this is just a dissapointment. I returned it for a refund, lets hope this goes smoothly, Amazon usually has great refunds.

I'm not sure if I got a rod with a manufacturing error, but I received the rod with the eyelet nearest the tip facing completely outward from the rod.. it's not like on the underside, but totally on the tip.. I was wondering if that's how the rod is supposed to be or not.

Purchased this rod in June and what a treat it has been. I have been using this primarily for surf fishing off of Sandy Hook, paired with a Penn BTL8000 and Trilene Big Game 15lbs mono, and it has been very good to me. The clear tip on the rod is sensitive to whatever nips at your bait, and the rod itself is very sturdy under load. This product demonstrates good durability and quality construction. Shakespeare could easily sell this rod for ~$100 considering what your getting. Truly a great product.

Really like this pole however it arrived damaged! Came to the door with the largest guide protruding through the cardboard box. Open the packaging and the one end where poles join was split. That said I don't see how this pole, or any fishing pole stands a chance if shipped in such package. The best way to describe the packaging is to call it a 6 foot long sleeve of cardboard. It's flat like an envelope and sliding a a rod into it spreads the packaging. There is no room for the pole to rattle around, there is no bubble wrap or cushioning of any type. We've all seen the videos on line of rough handled packaging! If this gets tossed or even if something of significant weight gets laid on it damage is almost a given. There isn't even a fragile sign.No complaints on the look of the pole, it feels great, it's big. Just need a good shipping package to protect it.