In 1976 Shakespeare revolutines the angling community again with the ‘Ugly Stik rod’, the first rod to feature a clear tip and a Howald Process construction which made it virtually indestructible. Compared with the similarly priced Ugly Stik models, the Shimano Saguaro is a stiffer graphite composite. While this design can be advantageous for casting plugs, it offers less “play” or give, which can hinder other applications like setting the hook while bottom fishing with bait and a heavy sinker, where some flex is advantageous. shakespeare fishing rods The next most important specification you’ll want to consider is the material that makes up the guides—the loops that lead, or guide, the line from the reel to the tip (the skinny end) of the fishing rod. Like most fishers, I’m not able to carry, store, or afford a different rod and reel for every species of fish or method of fishing. So I picked an affordable, high-quality spinning-rod-and-reel combo that can work in as many fishing conditions and settings as possible—including saltwater and freshwater.
Shakespeare offers specialty lines for kids, including combo rods in fun colors and sporting beloved characters from superhero comics and popular animated films. If you’re looking for a particularly durable rod to start your adventures, Shakespeare is a popular choice. Shakespeare also offers gear including kids’ and adult tackle boxes, nets, and more. Choose from spinning, spincast, baitcast, and fly fishing rods, reels, and combos to get started on your next adventure.
The one exception to the company’s strategy of strengthening established businesses during this period was the creation of a ski division in 1970, facilitated by a distribution and sales arrangement with Yugoslavia-based Elan Ski Company. Operated through the Shakespeare Sporting Goods Division, the ski segment manufactured skis, bindings, poles, and a line of ski apparel. Although William Shakespeare, Jr., had some training in mechanics and craftsmanship, he spent his days peddling patent medicines in and around Kalamazoo. When not hawking elixirs, Shakespeare often grabbed his fishing rod and reel and bait-casted on the banks of the Kalamazoo River or at one of his home state’s myriad lakes. Like his angler friends, Shakespeare was frustrated by the inherent inadequacy of multiplier reels, and in 1895 he fell back on his mechanical background and attempted to come up with a solution.
I beat up these rods and reels, from the mouth of the Hudson River in New York to the Cook Strait of New Zealand. Shakespeare has been producing rods, reels, and combos targeted toward beginning anglers for over 100 years. Their affordable prices and functional, durable rods make them a popular choice for those just hitting the water, including young anglers.
At the end of the day, be sure to give everything a solid rinse with freshwater and loosen the drags (to relieve straining pressure), whether your rig costs $20 or $2,000. If you take this step, our recommended Ugly Stik GX2 and Daiwa BG combo will serve you shakespeare fishing reel well for years to come. The rest, including the grip material and the number of pieces the rod itself breaks down into, is up to you. I will suggest that, if you can accommodate it, a one-piece rod will almost always outperform a two- or three-piece rod.
Seeing as though I was only 5 years old when Ugly Stik rods hit the shelves in 1976, I didn’t know much about anything. While there’s no particular connection to the ultra-famous Elizabethan playwright, the company’s phenomenal rise to global angling recognition shares some of the drama and poetry with its dramatist namesake. I’d also use them for shakespeare fishing rods sitting on the dock with a drink and a comfy camp chair, dangling a shrimp at whatever, while I stared off into the lake or riverside vista. I’ve fished for over 40 years, and I’m more than happy to cast an Ugly Stik Inshore Select all day long. Should a monster take your lure, you’re in with a fighting chance despite the conservative rating.
There are well over 100 years of history in the stalwart company, from swimbait heads to baitcaster die-hards they have rods to match every angler. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The drag or “thrust” disc has a rubber seal mounted to it, and according to expert spinning-reel reviewer Alan Hawk, it’s constructed of the same polymer that makes up the thrust discs of the Penn Slammer III (which usually costs about $300).
During the war, experiments with heat-hardenable polyester resin reinforced with high-strength glass fibers in structural aircraft parts gave birth to fiberglass and the manifold applications of its use. Dr. Arthur M. Howald, technical director of the Plaskon Company, was one of the legions of individuals who experimented with fiberglass’s strength and flexibility to create improved quality in existing products. Dr. Howald’s area of interest was in manufacturing a fishing rod constructed with fiberglass. After conducting experiments with fiberglass fishing rods, Dr. Howald turned over his results to Shakespeare Company. Importantly, they’re a brand for the budget-conscious angler who wants quality and durability without the hefty price tag.