Is It My Line, Or My Reel-or BOTH?!

[Kawabuggy]

I bought an Ugly Stick rod/reel combo recently. I got it because it is a 2 piece pole that I can pop inside my car with me easily and carry it to work.

Well, after trying it a few times, I can say this thing lives up to it's name-it makes fishing UGLY!

When I got it the line that was on it appeared to be cheap & flimsy. I bought a spool of Trilene XL (14 lb. test) and swapped it on. From the first cast I started having problems with I think you call it "memory"? The line was coming off in rings and getting hung up on the eye-lets, and also forming knots.

I lost a Zara Spook on one cast because I was trying to hurl it out there, and the line wrapped around the eyelet and then popped.. I watched my new Zara sail out across the pond and land with a splash and just float out there.

I decided I had too much line on the reel so I removed a substantial amount so that the lip around the edge of the spool was exposed. The snagging problem is not as prevalent as before, but still present. The line appears to have far too much memory as even laying in the water, you can still see the "ringlets", and it is still occasionally snagging up, and knotting up.

Any suggestions? Should I try a different manufacturer, or a lower lb. test of line? I spent 15 minutes out of my only hour of fishing re-rigging my pole due to snags, and knots.