Elite Casting Rod
Durable composite baitcasting series for freshwater bass, forgiving tip, corrosion-resistant guides
Mid-tier baitcasting series from Ugly Stik designed for freshwater bass and general predator fishing. The target angler wants the brand's trademark durability in a lighter, more graphite-intensive construction than the original GX2. Pitched as an all-around casting rod with enough sensitivity for detecting strikes while retaining Ugly Stik's characteristic toughness. The glass-reinforced composite construction makes it more forgiving than pure graphite equivalents at the same price.
Built on Ugly-Tech composite blanks, 35% more graphite than GX2, with Clear Tip fiberglass tips that extend durability through the most vulnerable section. Reel seat is an exposed-blank style with cushioned stainless steel hoods for improved contact. One-piece Ugly Tuff stainless guides with PVD coating resist corrosion. Cork handle with split-grip design. The construction skews toward longevity over sensitivity. 7-year warranty. Five models, all casting (baitcasting), spanning 6'6" and 7" lengths.
Power runs from UL to MH. The USECA702UL is the notable outlier, a 7' UL casting rod for 2–6 lb line, an unusual format made for small species on baitcasting gear. The standard 6'6" and 7' M and MH models cover conventional bass techniques. XF-action models (USECA661M, USECA701M) bias toward bottom-contact work; F-action MH models (USECA661MH, USECA701MH) suit moving baits and swimbait applications.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 5 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 5 casting
- Length
- 6'6"–7' 2.00–2.10 m
- Power
- UL–MH 3 classes
- Action
- XF–MF
- Line
- 2–20 lb
- List price
- $84.95
- Released
- 2015
Rods in this series
5 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USECA661MH | 6'6" | MH | Buy from Ugly Stik | |
| USECA661M | 6'6" | M | Buy from Ugly Stik | |
| USECA701MH | 7' | MH | Buy from Ugly Stik | |
| USECA702UL | 7' | UL | Buy from Ugly Stik | |
| USECA701M | 7' | M | Buy from Ugly Stik |
Model notes
2 of 5 modelsXF action on medium power is suited for Texas rigs, football jigs, and drop shot on baitcasting gear where quick tip recovery helps detect and convert strikes.
Unusual UL casting rod at 7' on 2–6 lb line. Serves anglers who prefer baitcasting reels for crappie, small perch, or finesse bass work. The MF action provides more cushion for small hooks.