A:
It has been a little more than three months since you posted this question so you have probably made your purchase by now. Maybe my answer will help someone else. Your type of rod is not indicated with this so I will refer to both the spinning and the trigger or casting type of Ugly Stik fishing rods.
The trigger type of casting rod being a straight handle or a pistol grip is very versatile in that variations with it are possible. I use the 6’ 2 piece with both a casting type of reel and with a closed face spinning or spincast reel. I have tried different models and what works the best for me is the Zebco Omega or the Omega Pro that comes with a spare spool and 10# line. I fill the spare with clear blue 6# mono line for panfish or trout and I use 10# green mono for bass and walleye fishing. The flexible action of any medium Ugly Stik allows for spincasting, jigging, float/bobber, pitching, and trolling types of fishing. One great feature of the closed face reel is that you never have to touch the line while fishing. That would leave that human scent on the line that fish might smell. I might add that when I fish in clear water I use a clear line, clear leader or steel leader.
I have also used the Daiwa Magforce casting reel and have more recently changed to the BPS Pro Qualifier casting reel with this Ugly Stik casting rod. I use 20# braided highly visible line with an appropriate leader. This combination also works very well if the casting reel is your preference. No one said that you cannot have both types of reels.
I also use a 7’ 2 piece medium Ugly Stik spinning rod rated for 6 - 15# line. I used a Daiwa 1500c spinning reel for years and have more recently changed to a Mitchell Avocet II 4000 spinning reel. I use the 10# green line for all fresh water fishing other than for panfish. I switch to a Mitchell Avocet II 2000 spinning reel with 6# blue line for crappie or I use the 4000's spare spool with the 6# line. Even though I have salt water equipment I prefer this same rod with 20# braided line when fishing inshore.
I own lots of other types and brands of rods and reels. These two Ugly Stik combinations have always worked the best for me for over 30 years now. I prefer the casting rod and reels but the fact of the matter is that I only catch fish with the Ugly Stik spinning combinations that I just described. I do not know what makes the difference other than the 7’ length and the more flexible spinning rod must let me detect the fish biting more easily under all type of conditions. The 7’ length allows me to reach over weeds and limbs and that increases the chances of catching more fish.
Even though the one piece rod is suppose to be best for strength and sensitivity it is not of much use if you cannot get it in the car, camper or rod locker to take it with you. So for that reason I have always used two piece Ugly Stiks.
This 30 years of mostly Ugly Stik fishing takes in three different types of fishing for different parts of the country. This includes Trout in the Pacific Northwest, Bass/Crappie in the Southern Midwest and Walleye/Pike/Crappie in the Northern Midwest. Not to mention the occasion fishing trip to Puget Sound or San Francisco Bay and the Salmon in the Northwest where the steel fishing leader behind a 20# braided line is necessary.
I have pulled out fish weighing almost 50 pounds with this 7' Ugly Stik spinning rod. It just keeps working well for me. I more recently purchased a new Ugly Stik spinning rod to retire this 30 year old rod. I keep using it anyway.
They also make it in a 6' and a 6'6" version if that is your preference. I think that you would get the most from the 7' rod. I have a 10' and an 8' trolling rod that I have put a spinning reel on for fishing in and around cover for crappie and bass. This was just to see how I would like fishing in cover with longer rods. I feel that the extra length gets in the way more than it helps except for trolling.