Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Rod and Reel Combo

I want to start by saying that I probably own over 50 fishing poles. I fish every week. I recently went on a trip to Alaska and decided to pick up two of these for my wife and myself at the last minute. They packed really well and we had two afternoons open to use them. We caught fish. 10 to 25lb salmon. No problem. I had 30lb backer and 25lb leaders on them. I wouldn’t expect them to handle large kings very well but for our trip they were great.

With many travel rods today, they either come in a collapsible model that lacks the overall strength of a traditional rod, or, they come in several pieces, that don't hold together well. With the former, if you use any super-line, you're eventually going to break the rod, and with the latter, you have to constantly adjust the sections, as they move/twist out of place. With this Ugly Stik GX2, there are only 3 pieces, that fit together SOLIDLY, breaks down nicely for travel, and again, you can use any line with it, without fearing breakage. Ah, and if you do break it, Shakespeare has a great warranty on all of their rods, because they produce quality products, that are a joy to use. Buy it, you won't regret it.

I bought this so I could put it in my ruck sack when I go hike in the Manistee National Forest to do some trout fishing on the river. Definitely not disappointed, the rod lives up to what I expect from the GX2 series. The reel is better than I thought it would be, it reels pretty smoothly and is rated for 4lb-10lb test line. Overall very happy.

We bought this pole for a recent trip to Montana, so we could pack it in our suitcase. It’s been a great little rod. We have caught multiple fish on it since that trip a couple months ago. My only issue is that when we first put it together, the tip piece is bent slightly... like a manufacturing defect. My husband convinced me that it doesn’t compromise the rod... but it’s still annoying to spend $60 for a new rod that isn’t straight out of the box. Like he said it doesn’t seem to be affecting the performance of the rod, so we didn’t bother exchanging it. We love Ugly Stik poles, and so far this has been a great little packable travel rod to throw in the car!

I received the fishing rod and reel combo, but no screw on the reel to fix the handler.

I was looking for a small travel rod and reel. Have several other Ugly Sticks with good feel and action. Reel is small and light; action is smooth. Holds enough 4, 6, or 8 lb test line to fish. The carrying case is adequate. Great option for camping, travel, hiking.

Can’t really go wrong here. Very simple set-up. The bag is comes with is good enough for me. Used it for a couple months now and haven’t had any issues. Mainly catching crappie and bass.

This is my first fishing pole of this style but I ended up purchasing the one that was a bit too long. If you plan on doing any River fishing don't go with the six foot plus Pole. The fishing reel is garbage so you'll end up throwing that thing away which is to be expected but as far as the quality of the pole and connecting them they seem to be perfect. I live in Utah and everything is Frozen right now so I'll know more this spring. If my opinion changes I will definitely do an update on this

It’s too bad there was a knock in the reel when I got it, returned it no fuss no muss.

We couldn’t use it in winter, so my excited son used it yesterday for the first time. Rod nice but reel totally fell apart first time and pieces fell through a bridge. Past return date and it was what he was going to do this whole crisis. :(

great for travel, reliable product

Nice rod. I liked the feel and look. However reel seized up after 2 time out. Very disappointed as I bought this to use on a trip and couldn't fish as the real wouldn't turn.

A wonderful little rod! Been catching beautiful Rainbow trout on it. The action is great