Bought a medium heavy one piece 7 foot 10 years ago. Paired it with my ancient Penn 650ss and 20 pound mono. The doubled footed stainless steel line guides set the standard for salt water spinning. I’ve broken a few 8 foot medium and medium heavy rods in the past 10 years casting enough weight to find the bottom in a good current. I find my self using a rod that will manage weight and bait that’s usually heavier than needed for the targeted game. Had an old medium 8’ graphite rod my son n law broke the tip off casting a 2 ounce bank sinker last fishing trip. The 7 foot medium heavy big water with 20 pound mono will not cast as far as the 8 foot medium heavy with 15 pound power pro but it was still catching fish after the 8 foot broke. Photo my daughter n law took of me with the ten year old Big Water and 40 year old reel just before I handed it to my son in-law. He did not manage to break it and he caught a few rock sole weighing 2 to 3 pounds with it. I’ll probably leave that rod and reel to him when I stop fishing. Writing here because I’m looking to replace the broken rod. Wish they made the big water in 8 foot medium, but 7 foot will do. 4 stars because it’s not a rocket launcher. You can’t have everything.

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…