I am writing this review today on: Monday March 24th, 2025.

In 2022 I went to my local Cabela’s and I seen they had the NEW Ugly Stik BIGWATER Rods for sale on the rack. I looked through which one would fit nice with my PENN Fierce II 8000 size spinning reel. I’m searching, I’m looking……. I buy this one! The Ugly Stik BIGWATER Rod in the 8 foot (2 piece) Medium Heavy (BW2040S802). 20 - 40lb. Line rating (it can handle more) and 3/4 - 4 oz. Lure rating (even though it can hold triple that probably more it’s an Ugly Stik). I purchase it, I get home and it fits / pairs nice with my PENN Fierce II 8000 size Spinning Reel spooled up with 345 yards of 80lb Power Pro Braid. I later bought and upgraded it to a NEW (at the time) PENN BATTLE III 8000 HS (High Speed) Spinning Reel spooled it up with 375 to 400 yards of 80lb Sufix 832 Advanced Superline with a 18 inch 130lb Tyrant Fluorocarbon Leader……. -READY FOR THE MIGHTY RIVER! -READY TO CONQUER!

My friend and I go to the River together a couple months later and I bring my NEW Ugly Stik BIGWATER Rod / Setup -READY FOR A BIG FISH!

I put on my Perch Whopper Plopper 130 and get it Burbling across the River water -I SEE SOMETHING BIG SWIPE AT IT! I’m like: “-Oooh! There we Go! Comeback baby!” I continue casting and Burbling my Perch Whopper Plopper 130 across the water for about 7 to 16 minutes later then -BOOM! -SWOOSH! -GOT EM! -Man……. This was a HUGE Smallmouth Bass! About 18 to 20 inches in Length! My NEW UGLY STIK BIGWATER ROD…