David I love the 9 foot Ozark casting rod, I use a Shakespere Dimension reel you can pick up at most Wal-Marts for about 37$, what's great about this reel is it has a 10 bearing system and smooth as silk and cast a country mile. you wont find many reels with that many bearings for 37$ Put this reel on the Ozark 9 foot casting rod and it will cast a country mile. 9 foot is perfect for long distant casting in open water and takes up slack perfectly when sitting the hook with a Jig/Minnow n bobber combos.

Most everybody I know once they start using the rear seated jigging rods put the forward seated rods away. I know cos I was one of them. I was stubborn for a long time and partial to forward seated rods. Not anymore. The 11 foot Ozark rear seated rod only comes in one action as far as i know and that action is tough. There are probly some rods more lighter but I dont like a rod that feels like a whimpy willow limb in my hand. I want a rod with some back bone to fight those slabs out of cover. Our very own Midsouth man and Don Blakely who both compete on the CrappieMaster Trail sold me on the Ozark rods. David You can trust me when I tell you This rod and reel are Crappie Pro approved. Maybe some one near you can let you see one up close and personal. Try em out, I think you will be glad you did. I know Xring has one of each and likes em. I own six of them and I know I like em too. LOL