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Ugly Stik
Tiger BWC(AO)2201 Specifications |
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Material |
E-Glass/Graphite core |
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Length |
7'0" |
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Pieces |
1 Piece |
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Colors |
Orange |
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Action |
Medium |
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Recommended Line |
20-50lb |
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Lure Handling wt. Range |
3/4-6oz |
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MSRP |
$55.99 |
Impressions:
Everyone's heard of them...the
Ugly Stik line has been around since 1976, and the Ugly Stik Tiger rods have
been a top seller since 1985 when Shakespeare first launched the series with the
catchphrase "For big game, choose the big cat!" Well it looks like anglers all
over the world are still fishing with the big cat.
While arguably not the
prettiest rods (then again they are called "Ugly Stiks" for a reason) they are
perhaps the most recognizable saltwater rod in the world with their orange
finish and red highlights.
I paired a brand new
Shakespeare Tiger with a Penn 320GTi for a real world test that would ultimately
change the way I look at Ugly Stiks forever.
Real World Test:
The stage was set for a
great day of testing when MP and I chartered a boat out of Santa Cruz. I paired
the Ugly Stik with a new Penn
320GTi reel.
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The Tiger
has a strong base and a sensitive tip that enables anglers to sense hits
over 300ft down! |
The first thing I noticed was the high quality components that Shakespeare
employed including Graphite Fuji reel seats with reinforced steel hoods. These
were able to grip this medium sized reel very tightly.
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Complete Rig for the Tiger |
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Rod |
Ugly Stik Tiger BWC(AO)2201 |
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Reel |
Penn 320GTi |
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Line |
20lb Berkeley Fireline |
Once I started fishing with the Tiger I was surprised by the strength of the rod
butt paired with a rather fast tip. The Tiger uses a proven construction called
the "Howald Process" which features a graphite core coated with a e-glass outer
layer. I could feel the unique strength and sensitivity that comes from the
implementation of this technology. Interestingly if you look closely enough you
can actually distinguish the graphite wrap under the e-glass coating.
I was able to clearly feel hits from fish over 200ft down with quick vibrations
in the tip that transferred into the base. The rod is able to increase
sensitivity to the angler by extending the blank through the entire handle.
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 |
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Dual and
triple hookups from 200 feet down cause anglers to appreciate the strength
of the Ugly Stick (notice how rigid the lower portion of the rod remains) |
When I started
hooking fish and pulling them hundreds of feet to the surface the Tiger's base
barely flexed. Even the rod tip remained arced nicely and seemed to feel no
stress. One of the reasons that the rod feels so stable is because Shakespeare
opted for a nine stainless steel guides close together. The second reason
anglers feel at ease using the Tiger is because of the oversized EVA foam grips
that provide ample cushioning to the hands and arms even with strong vibration
of fish fighting on the other end of the line.
This rod is
incredibly durable. At one point I snagged on the bottom of the ocean and was
tugging and pulling on the rod in a violent frenzy in an attempt to break free
of the snag. At no point did the rod feel like it was at maximum tension. It is
no coincidence that the Ugly Stik is the number one rod for tackle rentals on
land and on charters....these things are built "Ugly Tough!"
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An
affordable price and outstanding durability makes the Tiger a real favorite
for charter rental gear |
While definitely not a rod for finesse fishing I could find no fault in the
tried and true design that makes the Ugly Stik what it is today. The combination
of a powerful base and a fast and strong tip make a lethal combination for
tackling big game fish. One thing that makes the rod even more appealing is what
Shakespeare calls the "Ugly Back" guarantee which 60 day/five year warranty on
all rods.
Ratings:
|
Ugly Stik
Tiger Ratings (?/10) |
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Construction/Quality |
Howald Process is fantastic, even after all
these years other rods have trouble matching the Tiger's quality and
construction, especially when you consider the price! |
9 |
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Performance |
The combination of a stiff base and fast tip
make the Tiger a flexible and durable rod |
9 |
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Price |
One word....CHEAP! Amazing price that is
affordable to all anglers |
9.5 |
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Features |
Nice Fuji guides, but that's about it. This is
a rod built for one purpose, and doesn't have a lot of new features. |
7 |
|
Design (Ergonomics) |
Good timeless design that is at ease handling
small to large game. Nice EVA foam grips |
8 |
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Application |
Excellent versatility with a casting rod that
can tackle multiple species with many lures |
9 |
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Total Score |
8.58 |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus |
|
J
Howald Process |
L
Comes in one "Ugly" color |
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J
Very durable and flexible |
L
Not best suited for lure fishing |
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J
Proven Performance |
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J
Great Price! |
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Conclusion: What makes the Ugly Stiks so popular? A timeless construction
that to this day still performs well and a great price make the Tiger the rod to
beat, and the bar by which all newer saltwater rods are measured by. The Tiger
continues to be a dominating force in the world of big game fishing, but the
flexibility of this rod can easily be carried over to live bait fishing for
catfish and stripers. At such a low price every serious angler should have one
of these in their collection as a primary rig or as proven backup solution.
Until next time....Tight Lines!
