I 've kinda held back responding to these posts on Huckabee's rods. They are a great rod for the techniques he and others use out of a boat. I talked at length with Todd couple of times about rods, when he was without the Quantum deal. We both agreed a Steelhead type blank was overall the best of all the qualities you look for in todays crappie fishing. First is hookset / backbone, then length / range and always you want a sensitive rod which graphite provides. I personally use a 9'-6" most of the time not too long or too short for alot of what I do. For pitching or casting a float or bait a 7-0' or 7'-6" is great especially in tight quarters shallow water fish like we have now. I could go on a windy post about this, honestly you don't need a boatload of rods any given time, with the exception of trolling of course. But here's whats true....10 years ago shelling out $100.0 plus on a rod for crappie was unheard of, So kudo's to Todd and myself for helping fisherman get more bang for the buck and more fish in the boat. And by the way Todd first used a 9'-0 blue steelhead rod from Crappie Pro when I made those for Larry, and those rods are still going strong.