Is it worth the wait?

[BigFishFever]

I am going to be purchasing a new boat Sturgeon rod, I am looking at the Ugly Stick in either 20/50 or 30/60,
GiJoes currently has these for $49 bucks...Which is the best I have seen as of yet..My question is, would it
be worth it to wait till the Sportsman show next month? Or to jump on this deal, and get set up....

Any recommendaitions? Is there much differnce in the 20/50 or the 30/60?

Thanks in advance!

[Pete]

I've got a 30-60 and I think the tip is a little heavy for detecting a light bite. However, it is nice for chucking heavy lead. I think you need to consider where you're going to use the rod to figure out which weight you'd be happiest with. On the other hand, the 30-60 turns out to be a great tuna rod. For that price, I'd just jump on it. I'd be surprised to see a better price and you don't know if they'll have the model you want.

[Tagster]

That is a very good price. I don't remember seeing them for less than that.

[jetsled1]

It depends on where you are going to fish. I mainly sturgeon fish around the Portland area and have the 20-50 and find it to be too heavy. 90% of the time wish I had lighter gear. shakers are not much fun with that heavy of a rod. That being said I also don't want to wear out my salmon stuff on sturgeon as it is all 25lb rated. If you are going to fish the gorge areas then by all means go the heavy stick as you will get many more oversize fish in that area, if they let us keep fishing that area after the 5th. The price is right if you can use the rods, I just wish I new more when I bought mine and went lighter.

[ 01-05-2004, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: jetsled1 ]

[WaterDog]

That is about as cheap as they get. I have the lighter tiger rod but find I only use it if I'm in an area where I need 10 or more ounces of lead. Otherwise I use heavy salmon gear.

Guess I'll need to stop and get a 30/60 for hali/TUNA! Thanks for the info.

[BigFishFever]

Thanks for the advice,,,I plan on fishing anywhere where I can for this wonderful fish...I got my first taste
of this last year, and fell in love with it, even though I only caught shakers...this year with my own
boat, and starting to fish in this area, I am looking forward to catching more! Oversize...I dont think
I would particulary seek to target them, however I do want to catch one just to say that I have...
but I will wait to see what happens tonight...and if we still can, I will be seeking to go with someone
with the proper gear and knowledge on how to handle these beasts.

As for making a good tuna rod....well the big blue has been calling me, Salty Dogs beware...but for now, I
will stay land locked...

[4 REEL]

For what it's worth, I have always bought myself GOOD equipment to last a lifetime and for the quality.
I use a G Loomis Pelagic PSR84-30SU 25-40lbs.fast. It has a quick tip and tons of backbone. Sakers are a hoot and I have caught lots of oversized including a 12 1/2 footer. The only problem was I couldn't hardly hold a beer can after it was all over. Caught halibut and can't wait to cach a tuna.
Worth the extra buck IMHO.

[greenbuttskunk]

definetly go with the 20/50, it's perfect for fish up to large oversize. The tip is more sensative than the heavier model. You'll hook 3x's as many fish on the lighter tip. They even have lighter tipped model that has a very nice soft tip but lots of backbonem but I recommend the middle, I have one and it's the way to go in my opinion. Couple that with a penn 320 and your into fish my friend.
GBS

[jetsled1]

Penn 209's used to be the best around for sturgeon, but they won't last long on many oversized fish, the Penn 320's are good and have decent drags, better than the 209's. The 209's are good reels for the money, I still use one and it is "OK" but I like the 321's much better.

[BigFishFever]

All yall are awesome...Thank you very much for the info!

Cant wait to get out there and get some bend in a new rod! Been WAY to long!

Tight lines and see ya on the river!

[greenbuttskunk]

bigfishfever,
How much do you want to spend on a gator reel.
I have a few penn senators that will work and may be able to part with one.
Drop me a pm if interested.
Brad

[BigFishFever]

GBS

Ya will have a PM in a few minutes!

[Steelie Steve]

What GBS said. That is the exact setup I have and it works perfectly even for the big fish. The Ugly Stiks appear to be unbreakable at this point. We've put a lot of pressure on oversize with mine and it performed flawlessly.

Steve

[Chromaflage]

Another vote for GBS's suggestion - I've got 4 setups exactly like that - well 320 on two and Daiwa50HV on the other two. 20/50 is the way to go!!! And I'd jump on it for $49 - FWIW - I've caught lots of gators - shakers and O/S on these rods - never broke a one of 'em.

ORS

[Small Fry]

The tiger stick model number 2201 is the better of the 2 they have on sale. The 2202 has a much stiffer tip and is hard to see light bites.

[BigFishFever]

Ok, with another question then....people are recommending the Penn 320, which from what I can find, the
cheapest price I can find is about 80 bucks on Ebay...which as of now, is kinda outta my price range...
How does the 209 work?

Thanks from an ignorant, but learning, wannabe big fish fisherman!

[BigFishFever]

Brad...

Did you get my PM? unsure if that is working, I have yet to get one....

if ya did send it, I guess I didnt get it, ya can email me at michael_johnson35@yahoo.com

Thanks

[Born to be Wild]

Great rod, great price!
20-50#

Dano

[greenbuttskunk]

bigfishfever,
Not sure if my PM went through. IT's a
Penn 112H 3/0 special senator in great shape, no rust or corrosion. I've land a number of oversize on it, but it's a back up and I don't really target oversize anymore. I also have a corroded penn boat reel I got at a garage sale and it's yours for free if you think you can use it, it works fine, just no super pretty. Would work just fine for keepers.
Drop me another PM if I can help you out, especially if your a vet, you guys deserve a break.
good fishin'
Brad (GBS)

[BigFishFever]

GBS, sounds like a great deal...I would gladly take you up on the boat reel deal..

Nope, I am not a Vet, but my father was, and brought me up to respect all Vets both old and new, homeland and oversea's.

I have friends in Iraq, and hold ANYONE that has provided for our country in the highest regards.

I will drop a PM to see if we can work something out!

Thank You!!

[zipper]

BFF - I got a really cool rod at the sportsman show 2 years ago from Eglund (sp?) marine... it's green - they held 300# of lead with it and it just bent, also has a real active tip... around $30 bucks as I recall - they were selling them as fast as they could unpack 'em.... I have cought more keepers using my old Penn 209 and a 30 dollar Down Rigger Rod than any of my newer fancier rod and reel combo's. Also, save up and get the gear you need to make your own weights - you will loose a few and $3-5 bucks apiece bites! Most of all... have fun and take a kid fishing! zip

[greenbuttskunk]

bigfishfever,
can't get to the pm's right now. I'll get back to you tomorrow or call me at 788-3762.
GBS

[BigFishFever]

GBS,

Thanks alot, sorry I didnt get a hold of you yesterday...I can give ya a call today...

What is the best time to call?

Thanks
Mike (BFF)

[TonTo]

Nothing wrong with a 209 it used to be the standard and has caught many a gator,but I do like a 320 the handle is a bit longer and just seems more comfortable to crank on,they're also quite a bit faster than the 209,of course a 209 is the only thing my brother will fish with,aside from that damn 309 he has if he feel he needs more line,and I have never seen one let him down,and considering I just paid 84.99 at bob's for my latest 320 with the 209 going for 49.99 they are a good buy.Just bought an UglyStick black tiger 2201 20-50 also, went for 64.99 at bob's.If you can get it for $49 jump on it.On an economic note I needed another combo for a back up or just an extra for guests on the boat.I grabbed up a Roddy Gator Tail $27.99 at bobs it's rated 15-40 and seems capable of bringing some keepers to the surface,I doubt I'll ever use it to hunt oversize with but for the money it should make a good extra rod.Topped the Roddy with a Roddy 181 ,kind of like a 320 copy...will see how it works out but for $39.97 on sale at bob's I don't figure I got hurt on the deal.

Now if this snow would just go away I'ld go try em out but it looks like the challange may be my first chance....Isn't the new rod useualy the lucky one anyway,luv breaking in new gear on big fish.... :tongue:

[ 01-07-2004, 05:49 AM: Message edited by: TonTo ]

[Private-Aye-Fish]

For what it is worth. I have a Penn 209 that I've had for many (decades)years. It has caught lots of fish big and not so big. With regular but minimal care and cleanings works as good as the day it was bought. I try and buy the best gear I can afford. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

I think preference comes to play with your choice here. Both are good rods and seems like a good price.

Have a warm day!

[Private-Aye-Fish]

Seems like a real good price!

[BigFishFever]

Alrighty!

Got the 20/50 picked up yesterday...hopefully will be pickin up the reel soon.

To all thanks for the info,

GBS ya got email!

[ 01-11-2004, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: BigFishFever ]