I have the opportunity to get two brand new  6'6" Ugly Stik GX2 heavy action casting rods. These things are like pool cues. Wow! They are rated for 20lb to 50lb line. What reel would you pair these with? I am on a budget so it would need to be under $100.

Casting or spinning? Also, are you getting them for free?

Casting and yes free

I had good experience with an Abu Black Max as my budget setup, but if you have the money, pair it up with a Shimano SLX or Abu Revo X. The big handles on those reels will help you get those fish out of the heavy cover.

Daiwa fuego ct or Shimano slx 

Fuego CT

Lews Speed Spool

Lew's speed spool LFS. Amazing reel for $99.

3 hours ago, Dean_S said:

I have the opportunity to get two brand new  6'6" Ugly Stik GX2 heavy action casting rods. These things are like pool cues. Wow! They are rated for 20lb to 50lb line. What reel would you pair these with? I am on a budget so it would need to be under $100.

Catfish or bass?

I would use it for bass. Also what would you throw with it? Jigs, worms?

I use three 6' heavy GX2 (spinning) rods with cheap Daiwa RD reels, 20 lb 4 strand braid with large frogs, and it's become my fave combo. No matter what takes the frog, bass, peacock, or snakehead there's more than enough stiffness to pull what's on the end of the line out of weeds.

 

 

11 hours ago, Dean_S said:

I would use it for bass. Also what would you throw with it? Jigs, worms?

Typically heavy rods are used for frogs, flippin/pitching, swimbaits, jigs (more MH depending on jig), a-rigs, large glidebaits, extradeep cranks, etc. All of the hard load techniques where a lot of stress is put on the rod.

 

nathan

My oldest son's first baitcaster was a medium GX2 with an Abu Garcia Black Max. It was originally a Cabela's rod (forget which model) which broke on the slightest snag, so I bought him an Ugly stick to replace it. The reel seems appropriate for the rod.

 

I would imagine a heavy GX2 would be good for chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits in thick grass as the tips tend to be towards the moderate side. You could also probably fish a spinnerbait or deep diving crankbait with it, and jigs (at least swim jigs). Also they make good rods for throwing heavy lures for catching catfish.

 

Some people may also throw frogs on these, although I personally prefer a faster tip but you could give it a try and see how it works for you.

All I do is bank fishing. No boat. I guess it would help with the bushes. In Atlanta I still haven't found a place that had the big hogs in it. Only 1 -2 pounders. Might be overkill.

21 minutes ago, Dean_S said:

All I do is bank fishing. No boat. I guess it would help with the bushes. In Atlanta I still haven't found a place that had the big hogs in it. Only 1 -2 pounders. Might be overkill.

It's not always about the size of the fish, but the cover you're fishing in and the lure you're fishing. Also while you are used to catching dinks, you never know when you'll pull out el mondo, she's just there waiting

I stopped using my 6'6" bass rods over 35 years ago.

I wouldn't buy a new reel. Put whatever baitcasting reel you now have on the rod and fish it before making any purchase.

Tom

Definitely buy a Fuego CT. They can be found for 50-75 dollars, especially on eBay and Amazon. 

 

Don't get a Black Max. If you ever try pitching with one, you will instead want to pitch the whole setup into the water. The Silver Max is a huge upgrade for a little more.

Free free, free Free free? 

Free

 

can someone recommend the best line for the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod and Reel Combo i’m usually fishing lakes such as canyon lake apache lake and lake rosevelt 

all located in Arizona 

I like using Ugly Stik GX2. I have several. I also like the Shamano 7' worm rod when fishing Bass. I truly enjoy fishing Sac-a-lait (crappie) where ever I find them.