Crappie Rods

[Ham]

I'm looking for suggestions for a couple of crappie rods.

I want a rod designed to handle 4-8 lb line. I will be using 6 pound line the majority of the time.

Light action NOT UL and NOT ML, I have both of those.

I think I am looking for 6' to 7' rods. They don't have to both be the same. I could get a 6 footer for ease of use going under docks and a 7 footer for deeper watwer or wide open casting.

I want to throw down to 1/32 oz up to 1/4 oz maybe and be sensitive enopugh to feel that thump.

Most of the time I am fishing a 1/32 oz jighead with a Bobby Garland Baby Shad with controlled slack and a minimum of imparted action.

I have pllenty of jiggin poles from my Louisiana days and I have n embarrasment of riches when it comes to spinning rods already, but I'm always looking to upgrade my gear. I'm not looking to spend money just to spend money, but I would buy something better if I was sure it was better.

I am currently using a couple of almost 6 1/2 foot Shimano Aero rods which have long been discontinued by the manufacturer. They are the closest to what I want that I have found, but they are just a tiny bit heavy an action. I consider them to be ML rods that lean to L.

Anybody found the perfect rod for doing what I do that you'd like to bragg on?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have a couple of the 12' spinning rods, BPS, that I like. They do a good job of lobbing a float and fly and also have the ability to drop a rig into the middle of a brush pile.

[rps]

For well under $100 you can buy and build a fantastic rod.

MHX blank S842-2-MHX, rated for 4-8 # line, 1/16 - 3/8 0z., 7', light power and fast action; add a CRB HKS-2 spinning handle and pac bay minima 4 guides. The end result will be the equivalent of a a St. Croix or Loomis.

[Ham]

For well under $100 you can buy and build a fantastic rod.

MHX blank S842-2-MHX, rated for 4-8 # line, 1/16 - 3/8 0z., 7', light power and fast action; add a CRB HKS-2 spinning handle and pac bay minima 4 guides. The end result will be the equivalent of a a St. Croix or Loomis.

I'd rather not. I made the mistake of trying to save money buy becoming a fly tyer. I can't imagine that I'm really going to come out ahead building rods.

[tjulianc]

The new Lew's line of gear for crappie looks pretty nice, and has gotten some good reviews. They have a lot of variety of gear and it all seems priced pretty good too.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast11lews.html

[hoglaw]

You're right. It's not a money saving proposition building one rod yourself. The only reason to go the custom route is if you truly want the best performing rods for very specific applications, and want more than one. I have two rods working right now that may be in your wheelhouse. They are spoken for, but if it's something you want to explore, let me know.

[brian prewitt75]

Look at the Shakespeare Micro Graphites. I have a 7 footer that I have been using for about 5 years now and love. Fish put up a good fight on the light action. Always use 12 pd. fireline and you can feel the fish breathe on it.