Crappie Rod

[MJack]

I’m thinking of getting a rod dedicated to crappie fishing. I’d be using it from the bank and using small jigs with a bobber, spinnerbaits, and roostertails. Any suggestions on brands? How long? Ultralight? Fast or moderate action? Thanks! 

[jbsoonerfan]

So many variables. What lure are you going to be using (weight)? Spinning, casting? Line size? There are a ton of options.

[MN Fisher]

^ Price range

[MJack]

7 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

So many variables. What lure are you going to be using (weight)? Spinning, casting? Line size? There are a ton of options.

See above, I edited it

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

^ Price range

$75 or less

[Team9nine]

Most any current ML setup you own in the 6’-7’ ft range will work fine with standard crappie lures. If you plan on using primarily live bait, I’d lean toward longer and lighter (7-7.5’ L). Most any popular brand in the $60-$75 price range will be fine for crappie. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have never used this particular model, but the 6'10 ML Ugly Stik carbon rod looks like it might fit the bill.

 

I have used some older Ugly Stik rods for crappie fishing and they worked just fine.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Most any current ML setup you own in the 6’-7’ ft range will work fine with standard crappie lures. If you plan on using primarily live bait, I’d lean toward longer and lighter (7-7.5’ L). Most any popular brand in the $60-$75 price range will be fine for crappie. 

My three crappie rigs are on

7'0" Okuma Celilo L/MF

7'0" Daiwa Procyon L/F

7'6" Okuma Celilo UL/MF

 

This pretty much lets me cover all the techniques I use in chasing down crappie...from micro jigs with 1" plastics to small cranks to slip-bobber fishing with 1/4oz jigs and 2"-4" plastics.

 

Rods are in the $40 to $75 range.

[MJack]

34 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

My three crappie rigs are on

7'0" Okuma Celilo L/MF

7'0" Daiwa Procyon L/F

7'6" Okuma Celilo UL/MF

 

This pretty much lets me cover all the techniques I use in chasing down crappie...from micro jigs with 1" plastics to small cranks to slip-bobber fishing with 1/4oz jigs and 2"-4" plastics.

 

Rods are in the $40 to $75 range.

I have a 6ft Daiwa Procyon light fast. I had my eye on a 6.6ft Okuma Celilo ultralight moderate. I’ve just never had a rod that was really flimsy. 

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, MJack said:

I have a 6ft Daiwa Procyon light fast. I had my eye on a 6.6ft Okuma Celilo ultralight moderate. I’ve just never had a rod that was really flimsy. 

The 6'6" UL/M would be the one to toss really light lures on - 1/32oz jigs or even 1/64oz with a micro-plastic or a Crappie Nibble on it...you need the 'noodleness' to be able to load the rod to cast with ultra-light lures like that.

 

That Procyon would be good for light inline spinners (Mepps, Roostertail to 1/4oz) and slip-bobber fishing to maybe 3/16oz jigs with plastic or Crappie Nibbles on - or put on a #4-#6 hook, a #04 split shot about 8"-10" above that and a chub minnow on the hook. The bobber should be just large enough to keep the jig/minnow suspended...the slightest tug on the hook/jig should send it down.

[inferiorfisherman]

I have given up on noodle rods for crappie fishing under most conditions.  I find a land more fish on a slightly stiffer rod in general and for sure with bobber fishing.  I can run a 1/32 oz jig on a 2lb FC leader under a swivel with a 1/16 or 1/8 oz sinker above.  no need for a noodle rod to cast that.  If I break my leader getting snagged I still have my bobber.  The only time I get out a noodle type rod is when I am casting 1/32 oz mini mites for bluegill.  Even then I prefer to use a stiffer rod with a solid tip would probably not do it from the bank.  

This seems to be where crappie fishing is going and there are many specialty crappie rods makers who make a stout rod.  If you are bobber fishing mostly, I recommend a 7.5ft-8ft rod, and in that price range I would look at the ACC crappie sticks, or the new BnM 75. I recently purchased both, one as a gift and another for myself

[T-Billy]

Check out the BPS Panfish Elite. Really nice rods for the $$$ IMO.

[Deleted account]

Don't tell my tiny JB rod, but it's actually my crappie rod, shhhhhh....

[Phil77]

BPS Crappie Max 7UL, BPS Airstream PTC 7UL, and my new favorite Lews Wally Marshall classic signature series 7L. I only tight line 1/16-1/8 jigs so any of those three will work from the bank.

[JS8588]

Daiwa Presso Ultralight.

[Eric 26]

19 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Check out the BPS Panfish Elite. Really nice rods for the $$$ IMO.

I’ll second this. I have the 6’-8” ultralight and  it’s definitely built well above its price IMO.

[Dreveal]

I have two of the TFO panfish rods that I really like. I think they are little more than what you are looking to spend, but they have both (I have the 7'0 and a 6'6" 2 piece) performed really well.

[MJack]

On 3/11/2022 at 10:38 PM, MN Fisher said:

My three crappie rigs are on

7'0" Okuma Celilo L/MF

7'0" Daiwa Procyon L/F

7'6" Okuma Celilo UL/MF

 

This pretty much lets me cover all the techniques I use in chasing down crappie...from micro jigs with 1" plastics to small cranks to slip-bobber fishing with 1/4oz jigs and 2"-4" plastics.

 

Rods are in the $40 to $75 range.

I’ve narrowed it down to 6.6ft Okuma Celilo UL/M or 7ft Lew’s Wally Marshall Pro Series ML/M. Both say they can throw down to 1/32oz. You have the Okumas. Know anything about the Lew’s rod? 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, MJack said:

Know anything about the Lew’s rod? 

Never owned a Lews anything, so no help from this quarter...sorry.