It really boils down to what you’re looking for in terms of sensitivity and balance. The Ugly Stik Surf Casting rods make a good choice for people looking for a lot of performance and dependable strength. One product that we like due to its excellent construction is the Shakespeare Ugly Stik 10’ Bigwater combo. The set includes a heavy action pole and a dependable reel, as well. Based on what we found about it, the rod is remarkably sensitive and flexible compared to other models in the same class. If you’re looking for a relatively versatile combo that enables you to catch both mackerel and larger fish, this particular kit seems to be a good choice. A cheaper alternative would be the Penn Pursuit II 8000 2-piece spinning combo.