Kayak Fishing Blog

Ugly Stik GX2 6-12lb Kayak Rod - Initial Overview

23/11/2014

Shakespeare have just released a new range of Ugly Stik rods designed for kayak fishing. The range includes a 6ft 12lb class rod, a 7ft 6in 6-12lb class rod and a 7ft 6in 12-20lb rod. I love my 8ft 2in 12-20lb Ugly Stik Braid rods but have been waiting for Shakespeare to bring out a lighter version. As soon as the new range was available i ordered two 7ft 6in 6-12lb rods..... here is an initial overview....

The rod comes in 2 asymmetrical sections - a short butt and the long main section - joined by a ground carbon push-in joint.

The rod features the characteristic Ugly Stik solid glass tip

The rod has 8 'Tuff' eyes - solid one-piece metal construction so no more cracked inserts!

1 x 6mm (internal diameter) tip eye
2 x 7mm
2 x 9mm
1 x 12mm
1 x 15mm
1 x 20mm

The blank is finished in matt black, with a glossy decal section bearing the cross hatched red/silver whipping and the Shakespeare and Ugly Stik logos.

The rod features a chunky EVA foam grip, engraved with Ugly Stik, and a screw up reel seat.

The rod butt is shrink wrapped in black x-wrap and has a hard rubber butt cap. The rod butt is 30cm in length from the end of the butt cap to the back of the reel seat and 43cm in length to the front of the reel seat.

Initial Impressions:

These rods are what i have been waiting for, a lighter model to go with my current 8ft 2in Ugly Stik 12-20lb Braid rods. The rod is very similar to now old style Ugly Stik braid rods, apart from a few cosmetic differences and being 8in shorter. The new eyes look great and will take both mono and braid. The whipping and finish look to be robust and high quality. The tip is sensitive and will make playing the smaller fish fun but the blank has plenty of winching power left from the butt eye down so should be able to handle the odd bigger fish that may find its way onto the hook.

I will be using these rods for lighter work drifting baits on clean ground as well as for estuary fishing and heavy lure work over reefs and rough ground. They will be paired with Abu 6500's. My 12-20lb rods will be reserved for heavier fishing for Rays, Conger, Tope, Bull Huss, Ling etc.

Theres not a lot bad to say about the rods apart from i prefer the spigot joint and all glossy blank finish on my 12-20lb braid rods. Time will tell how they perform on the water but so far the rod looks great!

The rod has a RRP of £59.99 and i managed to get 2 for £110 from Glasgow Angling Centre.

2016 Update

I have now been using these rods for over a year and have put together a review on their performance here: Ugly Stik Kayak Rod 1 Year Review. They are still my favourite rods!

Steve

4/11/2015 21:56:03

Nice review thanks. Looking forward to part 2.

Cornish Kayak Angler

4/11/2015 22:07:02

Thanks Steve, i have nearly had these rods a year now so will put together a review soon. As expected, they have been superb!

Wayne Peart

12/12/2015 18:19:43

Fantastic blog, very interesting and informative! I am looking at purchasing a ugly stik 6-12 for yak fishing off the Nth Yorkshire coast. How are your rods holding up after a year or so of use. Still impressed?

12/12/2015 21:40:06

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for your comment. These rods are holding up very well. I have got on really well with them and are now being used more than my 12-20lb Ugly Stiks which i was using previously, with these now only being used for Tope, Conger and Ray Fishing. Saying that, the 6-12lb Ugly is more than capable than handling a reasonable sized fish - i had a 20lb Tope on the 6-12lb back in the summer! I have been using it for both bottom fishing with bait and deepwater lure fishing and love it. The tip is fairly sensitive for lighter work, but there is plenty of backbone in the lower half of the rod to lock up against bigger fish. I've have used the rod with both fixed spool (for heavy lure and light bait fishing) and multiplier (for heavier work) with no problems. They are no good for light LRF stuff, this is where a proper lure rod comes into play. It has had plenty of use and no real signs of wear other than some light corrosion on a couple of the eyes - i never wash my rods though. I'm yet to see a rod get close to the Ugly Stiks action for a similar price. I won't be changing my rods anytime soon, i love em!

wayne

13/12/2015 11:07:57

Thanks for the quick reply. They sound ideal for the type of fishing I intend to do, I,ve been using 10-40 spinning rods and 3000 size reels but needed something a little heavier to, hopefully target thornbacks off the local coast and for light (3-4oz) pirking. Keep up the good work!! Cheers Wayne

Stacy Smith

10/1/2016 21:38:14

I must admit I've just bout 2c12-20lb 7 6 kayak rods (uglystik).
Basically for all my fishing. Will theses suffice.
Are you the same corning angler on the youtube?

10/1/2016 21:47:25

Hi Stacy,

It does depend on what sort of fishing you are doing but the 12-20lb 7ft 6in Ugly Stik kayak rods are great all-rounders for bait fishing, feathering and heavy lure work. They are a bit overkill for light lure fishing though. I have 2 of the 12-20lb Ugly Stik (predecessor to the new models) and used them for 2 years on the kayak, mainly bait fishing, and got on really well with them. I now use the 6-12lb versions more as I have started using lighter gear. I still use the 12-20lb rods for heavier fishing. On YouTube I am under 'Liam Faisey' but all my videos should be tagged with Cornish Kayak Angler. All my videos can also be found under the videos tab at the top of this page. There is also 'Cornish Shore and Kayak Fisherman' on YouTube and he has loads of helpful videos on there.

Hope that helps,

Liam

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charlie

5/8/2022 13:15:28

Hi there,
great review. I would like to get a rod for kayak fishing, but also to try using from my surfski-bit more unstable, but very quick to get where i need to go, Live in st agnes. which rod is the one you reviewed ?-I can only find the 4 and 5foot GX2 on googlle. I'm quite impatient and really just like to tow a line while im paddling. is there a max speed I should paddle at, because i normally go around 5mph on the ski and about 3mph on the kayak-any tips gratefully received
KR
Charlie

Cornish Kayak Angler link

11/8/2022 21:50:29

Hi Charlie, Thanks for the comment. This version of the GX2 has unfortunately been discontinued. The closest option you will find now is the Ugly Stick Elite Boat 12-20lb. Although, keep an eye out for a new rod being released by Penn in the next month or two - the Regiment III Solid Carbon. I have played with the prototypes and they are a lovely rod and will come in a 6-12lb version!

If you are just trolling lures I would recommend the Penn Conflict Inshore 1+1 50g rod paired up with a 3000 or 3500 sized fixed spool reel. This will be much better suited to trolling lures for bass, pollack etc than the Ugly Stik. Pop over and see Tony at Lizard Tackle, he has a great range in and will put you onto something suitable.

Hope this helps!