Penn Sabre vs Ugly Stik Tiger

I was just at Hi's looking at their rod selection and was comparing the Penn Sabre 20-50 lb vs the Ugly Stik Tiger Rod of the same line rating...any notable differences between these rods?
The Penn was $60 and the Ugly Stiks were $80 (which is way above MSRP I believe).
Any thoughts? I want something a step up from my 30lb Squidder setup, something with a little more backbone but still fishable for halibut and rockies.
Thanks.

If I were you, I'll get the Ugly Stik.  They're available at West Marine's for $57.99:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/51737?&cid=chanintel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=51737

I have used both, and for me, I prefer the Penn Sabre rod.
The tiger stik rod I have has stainless guides, and the Penn Sabre has ceramic inserts.
The Sabre rod is a little lighter & looks nicer with the abu reel I have on it (it also works well with a squidder though ).

You can't really go wrong with either one though.

Agree with Sean both are good choices in that price range. As I remember, the rod action was quite different. Fast rods are better for casting and fishing mono, moderate action is better for jigging with braid  and hali fishing. 

Any thoughts? I want something a step up from my 30lb Squidder setup, something with a little more backbone but still fishable for halibut and rockies.

SEEKER RODS                  MSRP              NCKA PRICE
G196 -7'       10(12)15     $219.00               $110.00   Sold
G870 -7'       15(20)25     $219.00               $110.00
G6465-6 1/2' 25(30)40     $239.00               $120.00
G6470-7'       30(40)50    $239.00               $120.00  Sold

As for the two rods mentioned either one would be good. They should be priced very close to the same. The Tiger Rod you mention from Hi's is way over priced. I purchased mine for about $54.00, and it was not on sale. The reason I chose the Tiger Rod is because of its reputation for being tough and the stainless guides. Kind of makes it a bullet proof rod for what we are using them for. I use a 2 piece rod, medium weight rated for 10-50 pound line, matched up with a Penn 209. I like this setup for hali and rockies in the bay. Very simple setup. That's my 2c. Good luck with whichever you choose.

BEN

Thanks for the plug Mickfish.
 
M2,
Either rod should be sufficient for what you need, however they should both retail for about $55.00 each.
The Penn rod should also have a discount now that it has been discontinued.
If you purchase the Ugly Stick from F.W. on Friday we are having another NO TAX SALE (also at fishermanswarehouse.com).

As for the rod's I am personally selling - I am heading to Colorado tomorrow and will be back on the 11th

Yakhopper! Speaking of Ugly Stik.  I got mines about two years ago at FW in Sac and have been looking on-line for them since but never got a chance to ask any of the workers for their knowledge of this special model. Do you or anyone here know if Shakespeare still carry or can make these in medium action???      

More Pix

For SW Penns and Ugly Sticks, one  word or is it two Walmart. Same rods as other shops for a lot less.

Yester,
Sorry for the late reply.
That rod was made for for a custom order as a Sturgeon special.
We have sold out and Shakespear won't make it for us unless we buy 500 in a single purchase. Maybe check on ebay for a good used one?
Eric
 

Hey Andrew,

Not to confuse the issue, but you might look at Okumas. Their guide select series comes in a range of sizes and hovers around $100. You actually commented on how light mine was when we were at PP. I have a couple Ugly Stiks I use for bass, and they work fine, but I really *enjoy* fishing my Okuma ultra light. I also have an expensive St Croix that I ended up with by accident. If you were blindfolded I doubt you could distinguish between the Okuma Guide Select and the St Croix Legend Tournament (at 2.5 times the cost) in your hand. They also have a lifetime warranty.

Ben

I've fished both of those and they are both fair to decent sticks but I would rather get a Calstar or Seeker. That 870 of yakhoppers is a great stick for deep jigging, Live baiting tuna or trolling 2# balls for salmon when we get a season again.

For live bait halibut/rockfish type fishing I prefer a lighter tip rod like the 7 ft 196 version of the Calstar or Seekers. The nice thing about these rods is they are way more durable and they have a lifetime warranty on top of that. Do it once do it right and you will be able to pass it on to your kids.

Thanks for letting us help you spend your money 


-Eliot

I went with the Ugly Stik 20-50lb. It'll go nice with my new Shimano TLD Lever Drag with 50 lb braid!

I went with the Ugly Stik 20-50lb. It'll go nice with my new Shimano TLD Lever Drag with 50 lb braid!

Smart move on the UStick , never had an issue with them although have broken a couple of the Penn Powersticks and I fish a light drag . Yeah I know the powerstick and the sabre are not the same , but the same manufacturer and price range - makes me leary .

What size TLD ? I've got a 5 and a 15 , love them both , especially the " little " discontinued TLD5. I use the 15 on a 15-40 Seeker and  the 5 on a 12-30 Fenwick or a freshwater UglyStick triggerstick .