Ugly Sticks are tough rods, I remember their old TV commercials back in the 80's - and their lifetime unbreakable guarantee. My dad bought one back then - a little 4'6" ultra light. Still has it today, and it's still just about all he fishes with when he goes fishing. He also bought two bigger ones for catfishing years ago. I had a 6' heavy action ugly stick caster for a long time - but "outgrew it" in favor of lighter, fancier graphite rods. I do admit - the Ugly Stick Lite rods are tempting for some applications.