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Shimano Stradic 2500 w/ a $39 Ugly Stick graphite Lite. Personally, I prefer the Stradic 2500FH but they no longer make them. You'll have to settle for a 2500 FI, which is the newest model. Should be able to get both for under $200.

The FH & FI perform equally well, I just like the drag action on the FH better.

Tight lines.

Thanks for all of the help/suggestions. I finally pulled the trigger. Went to Kevins and got a 7' Shimano Teramar and a 3000 Shimano Saros. Got it spooled with 15lb blue Diamond Braid and she is ready to go!

Love the Saros. Bought one for myself a couple of years ago.... wife has it now. Won't let it go. You will love it. No need to pay the big bucks for the Stradic, you'll be just fine.

Yeah, that's a good outfit.

I still would have gone with the daiwa, oh well.

Ain't a thing wrong with a Saros.

Ugly stick inshore select 50-60$ then spend the rest of the money on a nice reel!!! i have a ugly stick lite 7'6" 2 pc i would practically give you but the inshore select is a much better rod. pair it up with a shimano stradic 3500 or similiar

FarhFrumWurk wrote:Ugly stick inshore select 50-60$ then spend the rest of the money on a nice reel!!! i have a ugly stick lite 7'6" 2 pc i would practically give you but the inshore select is a much better rod. pair it up with a shimano stradic 3500 or similiar

No offense but that's like saying the Pinto is nicer than the Gremlin.

Reel Cowboy wrote: No offense but that's like saying the Pinto is nicer than the Gremlin.

i like it as much as a green water. don't knock it until you try one.

FarhFrumWurk wrote:

Reel Cowboy wrote: No offense but that's like saying the Pinto is nicer than the Gremlin.

i like it as much as a green water. don't knock it until you try one.

I think I'll just keep building my own. You can't go wrong with a custom, especially after you've used one, you'll never want to pick that heavy rod up again.

Is building them difficult? I have never thought of making my own.

And, by the way, you could have gotten the Gremlin with a 360 V8 that would scream.

Bizzarley wrote:Is building them difficult? I have never thought of making my own.

Not too terribly bad once you get a few under your belt and start to understand what does and doesn't work for making a fishing rod better.

How about special tools/supplies? Do you have web resources for supplies and tips?

I appreciate the info. I have been thinking of trying this for a while.

Bizzarley wrote:How about special tools/supplies? Do you have web resources for supplies and tips?

I appreciate the info. I have been thinking of trying this for a while.

You can start as simply as a coffee cup and a box with V notches or as elaborate as a Renzitti power wrapper. I personally have a small hand wrapper and an American tackle power wrapper that I never use the motor on.
There are literally 100 different rod component suppliers and manufacturers out there but the folks at Mudhole are great to work with.
Matter of fact, I just joined the MHX Prostaff and will be helping them with some classes in the near future.
I have a couple of pieces of advice though:
1. buy a couple of books or videos
2. buy a starter kit (Mudhole has several of them at an array of price points)
3. go slow
4. ask questions as you come to them.
They also offer classes at their facility and have a series of traveling classes as well.

I use an Ugly Stick Lite with an Okuma reel and it works well for me......If you use lures for your fishing, I have used the Ugly Sticks for 30 years and they have worked real well with the "soft-tip" which produces a great action component for the lures; but, they are not as sturdy as some of the other brands of rods............The Sticks are cheap though and I swap mine out every year because of the wear and tear but you might to go with a nicer rod for the long term as suggested by many on here. (my outfit is under $ 120.00 bucks).