My wife's fishing rod is an Ugly Stick, with a Penn 5500SS spinning
reel. She likes it and I have to admit, it has stood up to an awful lot
of female fisherperson abuse.
I like "Star" rods, but I've had decent luck with a couple of Shimanos.
Guy here was going to build a rod for me...don't know what happened to
him. Must be out boating with Skipper.