Fishing Rods: Reviews

Field & Stream: The article's headline is inaccurate because the Shakespeare Ugly Stik did not snap, the only one of the seven rods that didn't.

BassProShops.com: About 50 reviewers give the Shakespeare Ugly Stick very high average scores, and even some of the most critical say this is a good choice for beginners who don't require a sensitive product.

Cabelas.com: About 50 users give the Shakespeare Ugly Stik high average scores, most liking the rod's strength and price.

MyFishing-Guide.com: This website gives no indication of its testing standards, but calls the Shakespeare Ugly Stik "one of the best." On another part of the website, the Shakespeare Ugly Stik is called "durable and lightweight."

TackleTour.com: This review starts out by saying it's never influenced by reputation and doesn't expect much from a $100 pole, but winds up giving the Okuma Guide Select a "Best Value" after testing it with several reels.

CaliFishing.com: There's no comparative testing, but CaliFishing.com rates a lot of rods.

Troutlet.com: There are just a handful of user reviews of the Okuma Guide Select on this retailer website, each overwhelmingly positive and one saying he landed a 22-pound Northern Pike with it.

TackleTour.com: This review includes lab testing and hands-on use in Mexico by editor-in-chief Alex "Zander" Mei.

TackleReviewer.com: This is really more of a blurb than a review, but TackleReviewer.com has a broad frame of reference.

AbqSportfishing.com: Reviewer Bryan Talmadge, who has competed in professional bass tournaments, calls the Shimano Cumara "probably the lightest and fastest rods I've ever used." He says they are "as good or better" than some rods costing twice as much.

Field & Stream: Field & Stream's annual roundup of best products includes winners in 14 fishing-equipment categories, with the Shimano Cumara designated as the best spinning rod.