Problem With Ugly Stik Striper Rods

[R22]

As I was purchasing equipment for the purpose of striper fishing in the fall of 2013, I used the experience of this board's members to determine what to buy. I have been incredibly pleased with most of my purchases except a couple of the Ugly Stik striper rods. I purchased 10 of these rods. They have received moderate use, nothing rough or abusive yet two of the rods have lost the ceramic guides in the same eye over the past few weeks. I contacted Shakespeare and asked these rods be replaced within their warranty. Shakespeare acknowledges they have had the issue of the guides falling out on occasion. After I provided Shakespeare everything they requested in their warranty program (I believe they were surprised I still had the receipt), they ask that I ship the rods so they may "escalate the issue." Here is my issue, Shakespeare requires that I send the rods and I pay postage both ways. If Shakespeare decides to replace or repair the rods to replace the rods under warranty, they require that I pay an additional fee of $9.95 per rod. So, shipping both ways plus $9.95 per rod probably equals the value of a new rod at $40. If Shakespeare decides not to do anything I simply lose the cost of shipping and the rods.

I know a lot of you use these rods and probably a lot more often than me. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Are these rods that disposable? Do I simply trash these rods and buy more?

Should I buy another brand? Please send any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[mwardncsu]

Not to take $$ out of any of the local shops, but I think you can still buy them at Gander Mountain for $29 (the casting ones at least).

The metal rings which hold the ceramic insert will sometimes crack - not sure if its from banging around or thermal or other. They tend to get slammed into dock pilings, banged around the boat, in and out of vertical rod holders, etc, etc. I have a couple which are cracked but the ceramic has not yet fallen out - think I've just had one so far that I had to replace.

For $29, they are disposable - no way you'll ship a one piece 7'rod and pay the $10 for less than the $29 or or even $39.......

[R22]

Oct 27, 2014 15:40:06 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Not to take $$ out of any of the local shops, but I think you can still buy them at Gander Mountain for $29 (the casting ones at least).

The metal rings which hold the ceramic insert will sometimes crack - not sure if its from banging around or thermal or other. They tend to get slammed into dock pilings, banged around the boat, in and out of vertical rod holders, etc, etc. I have a couple which are cracked but the ceramic has not yet fallen out - think I've just had one so far that I had to replace.

For $29, they are disposable - no way you'll ship a one piece 7'rod and pay the $10 for less than the $29 or or even $39.......

But you still believe this is the best bang for the buck?

[mwardncsu]

Probably can get a higher quality rod with better guide components - but it will push up the $$$ of course. There are those yellow rods and know some guys that use them - not sure what type of terminal gear is on those - I can't remember the brand.... Captains Quarter has had these for sale I believe. I think they may be in about the same price point as the Ugly Stik.

[tommyfishes]

I have had my ugly stick striper rods 6-7 years and knock on wood no problems at all so far.

[R22]

Oct 27, 2014 15:56:05 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Probably can get a higher quality rod with better guide components - but it will push up the $$$ of course. There are those yellow rods and know some guys that use them - not sure what type of terminal gear is on those - I can't remember the brand.... Captains Quarter has had these for sale I believe. I think they may be in about the same price point as the Ugly Stik.

Thanks mward. I just want some decent value. If it costs more, fine but I don't want to pay more than I need to. Admittedly, Shakespeare ticked me off. When they guy said "well you have to have the original dated cash register receipt to make a warranty claim, I told him I had read the warranty information and had everything they required ready to email. It was at that point that he started spewing the postage and fees and all but told me I would be better off just buying another one. I really dislike feeling like I am "being had".

I am heading to SC the end of this week, I suppose I will stop at Gander Mountain in Greensboro and stock up on disposables.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[BentRod]

This is the only problem I've had out of mine. I've gone through 20+ and maybe 4 have had this issue of the eye breaking loose. For $30 I'll use em all day everyday. They're tough otherwise - I've had probably 4-5 casting rods explode in the same time frame and I barely ever use them in comparison. There's better rods out there, but $ for $, I'll stick with the Ugly Stik for live bait rods.

And yeah the warranty is pointless bc you can go buy a new one after shipping. After I broke my first one, I went to Gander and they were on sale for $22 (well not sure they were on sale but they rang up for $22) so I bought 2-3 more.

[mwardncsu]

Eagle Claw are the yellow rods I was thinking of. Not used them and don't know which model but I think they are around the sample price point - maybe just a little cheaper

Mytoyzfishing in here can set you up with some custom rods with high quality components if you want - and for a casting or jigging rod its a good way to go to dial in the rod you want - but for live bait rods it's hard to convince the "boss" when you need 6-12 or more

[R22]

Thanks guys, I'll stop my whining and go get some more.

I appreciate the help.

[jon]

I have been using the Ugly stick catfish rods for a while with good results. You can usually find them at walmart. If not you can order them online and have them shipped to the store for free. I haven't had the guide problem with them but the older black ugly sticks were bad about the tip eye chipping or falling out. If it chipped it was worse because it would cut the line if it caught just right. I haven't tried it but a guy I fished with used to take the black ones back to walmart and they would let him replace them. I think he had to have the receipt.

Jon

[Dorange]

Call this guy. Jerry 540-529-7687 he can put on a new guide for $15 or less. He's done a bunch for me & does a great job. Lives in Moneta.

[R22]

Oct 28, 2014 19:15:51 GMT -5 Dorange said:

Call this guy. Jerry 540-529-7687 he can put on a new guide for $15 or less. He's done a bunch for me & does a great job. Lives in Moneta.

Thank you!

[formula180]

My experience is it is more cost effective to replace a tip or guide.  I had a Fenwick casting rod break the tip off and on sending it back, they replaced it with a different model that was not equal to the original rod.  The replacement cost me $26 plus shipping back and they kept my aluminum rod case which was worth about $30 at that time.....late 70's.

I still like fiberglass rods over graphite rods which I think are more fragile.  W W Novelty always carried a good selection of rods and I still have my Eagle Claw rods that I bought there in the early 70's.  He also has good prices.

link

[mytoyzfishing]

I can replace any of the guides without issue and will cost you less than a new rod and less than shipping it somewhere. Ive repaired several of the ugly sticks for this same problem. The reason why Shakespeare can keep costs of their rods low is due to the lower end components like the guides. The metal frames are thin on those guides and tend to get tweaked which allows the ring to drop out.

Thanks for the plug Mike

[Pete D.]

Gander has a protection plan for the rods. Not sure how long they are warranted for. But I usually buy the plan for one or two rods, and whichever one breaks goes back there to be replaced, and then I buy another protection plan on it.