Last week on my solo last as soon as I hit Nina Moose I made a cast a caught a walleye and thought what a week it’s going to be.

Then on day three, I hooked into a 20” bass on Pocket Lake. As soon as she hit, it bent Ugly Stick rod over and I heard a snap. It had broken the pole down about 8” from the tip taking the first two eyes off the end of the pole. I was able to land the fish and got a couple quick pictures before I let her go.


Any other time I would have had a repair kit along but decided I did not need it on this trip, and did not want another rod to portage. I cut the rod back to the next and did a lot of trolling the rest of the week. It was like using a broom stick although I was still able to catch fish.


Yesterday I contacted Shakespeare and they requested pictures of the rod and I sent them out. Received an email today to expect my new rod in 5 -7 business days. Thank you Shakespeare.

That is weird it broke like that. Mine as seen some serious abuse.

Nice fish!

quote Exo: "That is weird it broke like that. Mine as seen some serious abuse."

Same here. That's why I always bring that rod up to BWCA/Q - thought they were indestructible. Nice to see Shakespeare come through like that!

Might be there was a flaw in the blank that caused it to snap. Good to hear Shakespeare came through for you.

Yes, a trophy bass for sure!

Congrats on that beautiful fish!! And to Shakespeare for pulling through like that.

I had already decided to buy an Ugli. Now I am totally sure I will.

I've only ever seen one Ugly Stick broken, and that was when my fishing partner slammed it against a tree after losing a large river kitty on the red river.

Congrats on landing the fish with broken equipment, pure skill!

My new rod was in the garage when I got home tonight.