Question About Ozark Rods

For years I have jig fished with an 11' BGJP. Going to buy me some new rods this year and was thinking about the Ozark Rods I've been hearing so much about. I want to stay with an 11' jig pole but what action and reel seat style is most popular?
Also, looking for a good rod to throw cork and jig long distance and be able to set hook well. Confused on what length to get. Right now I'm throwing a 6'6" light action. I think I could probably throw better with a different action and a longer rod.

Dave

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Originally Posted by slabbandit

For years I have jig fished with an 11' BGJP. Going to buy me some new rods this year and was thinking about the Ozark Rods I've been hearing so much about. I want to stay with an 11' jig pole but what action and reel seat style is most popular?
Also, looking for a good rod to throw cork and jig long distance and be able to set hook well. Confused on what length to get. Right now I'm throwing a 6'6" light action. I think I could probably throw better with a different action and a longer rod.

Dave

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I recently purchased some ozark rods over the Internet, by far the best crappie rod I have ever had in my hands, I recommend getting the rear mounted reel setups, they are so light and balanced to, I hear they have them in casting rods as well, that will be my next purchase, a 8' for casting. I would recommend these rods to anybody wanting a strong and sensitive crappie rod. Grizzly jigs sells them. I am probably one of the roughest fisherman on equipment there is and these rods are tough. I think you would be pleased with them if you had them. The tip is a titanium tip, I jab my rod down on my jig when I get it hung up and the are tough.

Thanks guru, I can buy them not 200 yds from the house at our local bait shop. I noticed that they make an ultra lite jig pole and a heavier action jig pole. Not sure which one to get.

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

Thanks CP, I was kind a leaning towards the rear reel seat because I have a 10 foot Buck's Best Ultralight Jig Pole that I won a few years back in the "Pet Related Photo" contest. I really like the balance of it but would like at least an 11 footer and more backbone. I've already snapped this one in half once just lifting a 1 lb crappie.

To each is his own but I highly recommend th Ozark rods. I too am extremely rough on rods and this is why the titanium tip was developed and placed in the rods, they are a jig fishermans best friend. Like all rods, some tips will be broken but I trust tournaments and personal fishing trips with them every time I hit the water.

I personally use the forward reel seat for a dual purpose jigging rod that can be used for trolling as well. Rear seat poles will not allow this.

Good luck and tight lines to you.

I bought an 11 ft ozark and beginning to like it the more I use it. It is heavier than my Wally Marshall rods but has a better backbone. Not sure on the casting aspect. I tight line mainly this time of year.

That's the only downside to a rear reel seat. Not being able to put it in a rod holder. It would strictly be for jigging.

i got a ozark rod for xmas 11ft and didnt know they made them with back reel seat. do u guys think it would be ok 2 ducktape the reel futher back on the rod?

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Originally Posted by yellowjacket

i got a ozark rod for xmas 11ft and didnt know they made them with back reel seat. do u guys think it would be ok 2 ducktape the reel futher back on the rod?

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Yellow Jacket I would not use duc tape on it and use it like it is for now... and You know what to ask for when ur next birthday comes up. Hint Hint...

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Originally Posted by yellowjacket

i got a ozark rod for xmas 11ft and didnt know they made them with back reel seat. do u guys think it would be ok 2 ducktape the reel futher back on the rod?

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Yellowjacket if you are handy with a hack saw or a die grinder with a cut off wheel you can make it a rear mounted reel rod, just cut the handle off 1 to 1-1/2 inches behind the real seat, the only thing is it won't be 11' no more, it would be a odd length. I did this with a couple of b&m rod, I liked the rear mounted reel alot and I wanted to make a couple of my 12' b&m rods rear mounted, they play a important role in tight lining under the cypress trees for me, I don't regret doing it, but keep in mind if you do it, it is permanent. And also it is a new rod, I did it to a couple of my older b&m rods.

thanks lkconwayguru. ur rite i will fish with it for a while and then decide if i really want 2 do it. may be making a trip 2 conway this year some time. prolly in the fall with grandpaw and cousins. seeing as i cant get him or my dad 2 get a fish finder how would u start out finding fish? i hope we may go 2 sardis dont know yet.

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Originally Posted by yellowjacket

thanks lkconwayguru. ur rite i will fish with it for a while and then decide if i really want 2 do it. may be making a trip 2 conway this year some time. prolly in the fall with grandpaw and cousins. seeing as i cant get him or my dad 2 get a fish finder how would u start out finding fish? i hope we may go 2 sardis dont know yet.

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Yellowjacket, in the fall follow the baitfish, they will be running up the creeks, the predatory fish will follow, in the spring since Conway is so shallow they will spawn around the cypress trees, in the summer around the cypress trees as well, they will be using the cypress trees for shade trying to stay some what cooler. I catch a lot of fish in the fall and winter in the main lake but I know a lot of spots that hold fish during the winter and fall. On occasions I will fish the creeks but not very often, it is generally really crowded in the creeks. Sometimes in the spring I find crappie where the Lilly pads are just starting to come up, casting will get these crappie, a lot of times I find them big red ear bream mixed with the crappie where the pads are just starting to sprout.

I've got an Ozark Tony Edgar 11 footer that only leaves my boat if I'm fishing in somebody else's. Rear seat with a Martin auto fly reel. Awesome balance, light, and so far purty tough. My favorite jig pole.

Dave, If you remember those rods I had over there last, were the 12ft set forward Ozark. Still give you the 11 ft from reel to tip, and I Like them. Never fished with a set forward reel.