Hey guys!!

FINALLY got my friend to buy a 40$ year license and was wondering what rod/reel he should start out with?

We primarily catfish from the bank and never really catch monsters, and I want him to also be able to switch to bass if he wanted to--

Should he get like a Medium or MH Ugly Stik? Or should he just go ahead and get a 7 1/2 ft Pro Angler?

What reel should he tag with it? Should I just tell him to get one of those Ugly Stik Gx2 combos?

Thanks!!!

How much money is he willing to spend? Reel Shimano 2500 to 4000 Sonora series or better...Ugly stick lite, medium or medium light in 7ft or so...it's what I have used on catfish for the last several decades...handled the occasional big fish, as well....you can get fancy, if you like, but hard to beat those uglies for cats...I mostly fished for channels and high fin blues in the smaller sizes...up to 10 lbs, occasionally hang one 35, just have your drag set on the light side...I really liked 17lb Berkley big game....

I good spincast loaded with 30lb braid on a medium action Ugly Stick. Don't start him out on a baitcaster reel.

I use a 7' or 8' medium action Ugly Stick. My reel are Cabela's Salt Strikers. The reels are smooth and cast real easy for distance. Now the Pro Anglers rods, you can't go wrong with them either. Both are great fighting rods. My suggestion is if you can find the 8' rod, get them. That extra foot will help with casting distance and performance in a fight with a big cat.

Rod: Pro angler or Ugly Stik
Reel: Penn Fierce, Battle, Battle II

I will probably tell him to get an ugly stik due to reliability and price-- I only see 7.5 ft on proangler website, and the local guy here in austin only has 10ft and 7.5ft so I am not sure where everyone is getting these 8ft pro anglers-- what size penn fierce II should he get for his rod? I have the 6600 for my 10 ft, and I am not too keen on reel sizes to match up! 4000?


Thanks guys! Cannot wait to get him on his first fish-

Another question-- is there a big difference between the ugly stik tiger/lite/gx2?

Pro Angler medium 7.5' with a Penn Fierce II 4000 or 6000.

Go to Cabellas look at thier Whoopin Sticks same as ugly just less money

You are correct. The ProAngler rod does not come in an 8' model. What I do have is the 7.5' MH, the 7.5" M, 10' 2 piece H. Also just came out with a 7.5' M Pink rod and a 12' 2 piece H.

All these rods come in Baitcast or Spinning with the option of Cork or EVA handles. That's 20 rods to select from. If you have any questions regarding these rods, please feel free to call me directly. I designed the rods.

Tex, 817-988-5468

Pflueger President around 3000 size, 10-15lb braid, and I'd use a Berkley Lightning Rod instead of an Ugly Stick. I have both, use the Uglies when bait/cat fishing, but I like the 7' MH Lightning Rod when casting. Personal preference though.


That combo will come in under $100 tax included, and be capable of fishing anything from crappie, up to landing the surprise 50+lb blue.