If I had to choose only ONE fishing rod...

If you are an avid fisherman or woman, you understand how hard it can be to narrow down your arsenal to ONE fishing rod for a trip. I have had many fishing rods over the years, some lasting a short life and some Stasia and I still use today, 18 years later. Then there’s my grandpa’s fishing rods that have stood the test of time. Out of all the fishing rods I have used, my all-time favorite for float trips is a Shakespeare Ultralight Ugly Stik with an open bail reel. Yes I know - those of you who spend a good amount of money on a nice rod are shaking your head - but hear me out. Never underestimate the utility and affordable price of a simple Ugly Stik.

While attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, I fished the local rivers and lakes quite often. I went to Academy Sports + Outdoors and bought a new Ultralight rod, and it only lasted me one trip before it broke. I then proceeded to buy 3 more rods, each of which broke. After all the frustration and numerous trips to Academy, I finally convinced myself to buy an Ugly Stik. I had used my dad’s Ugly Stiks before, but at the time I didn't care for the stock reels that used to come with the pole. To this day - 10 years later - I still use this Ultralight Ugly Stik rod and reel on almost every float trip I go on, and it has yet to fail me.

One of our trips, I wasn’t able to put my fishing rod holder on the roof rack of my truck because I accidentally dropped a locking nut down into my retractable Tonneau bed cover. I didn’t have any spares on hand so we had to leave our one piece rods at home. My truck bed is only 5’-6” long, and when it's loaded with gear for a trip it can be hard to find space for fishing rods without them poking out the back. This meant we only had room for two, two-piece fishing rods and both happened to be Ugly Stiks. Stasia likes to use the 6’-6” Medium Action Ugly Stik, and I prefer to use the 5’-0” Ultralight Ugly Stik.

Our float on the Kings River in Barryville, AR was such a success! We landed 25 fish in the canoe: bluegill, goggle eye, and smallmouth bass. With 6lb mono filament line on the Ultralight Ugly Stik, it performed flawlessly. I must admit, when I broke off some lures I missed being able to grab a second [or third] rod, but the simplicity of only having one rod made me soak in the scenery around me more.

Fishing with an Ultralight Ugly Stik in a canoe gives me more control because of the shorter rod. Stasia agrees since I don’t hit her in the head with it while casting. Additionally, the short Ultralight Ugly Stik is easy to maneuver in or out of your canoe for a quick and accurate flip cast to a passing root wad. It also makes the fight of the fish more intense when you land a nice one.

Overall I have been very pleased with Ugly Stik fishing rods. All my family’s Ugly Stik rods are still being used today and not one has broken yet. Keep in mind, anything you bring on the river should not be extremely valuable or irreplaceable in case you overturn and lose it. Having a cheaper rod that lasts is the best investment you can make when looking for a float fishing rod. I highly recommend Ugly Stik rods, and if I had to choose only ONE fishing rod for a float trip it would be an Ugly Stik.