I too have a couple of Ugly Stiks and like them.

Cabelas sells Whuppin' Sticks that look very similar to the Ugly Stiks and I wonder if they aren't made at the same factory.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/searc...h-All+Products

I have had a 9' crappie rod for a couple of years and really like it. Last year I bought a 7' medium action spinning rod (2 piece) to take on business trips. It has a very light tip that is very good for casting crappie jigs. I used it in south Florida canals to catch small peacock bass on the small jigs. I also caught a 30" tarpon on topwater.

Those rods are a little cheaper than Ugly Stiks too. I got the 7' on sale for $15.