Crappie Rod and reel recommendations

[ChiefWannaCatchem]

I know I might get a lot of opinions but overall for jig/minnow single pole fishing what are the thoughts on reasonable rigs for crappie?  ive used ultralight stuff from Walmart in varying length and quality  bought in combos over the years (usually whatever is cheapest) but have never been serious about crappie fishing until now.  What outfits do I need to rig up with? I'd like to stay around $100 per rig.    Thx in advance 

[Smalls21]

bass pro has a bright green/black light action 1pc rod that is really sensitive.

lews has several nice crappie combos for under $100

[Ranger520vx]

I would recommend a light action not ultra light, and a in my experience I really like a large arbor reel like the pflueger arbor. I fish a Loomis 7 ft. Light action and really like the sensitivity for feeling the light bites.

[MOPanfisher]

I have had great luck with the lower end St Croix and Pfluger Presidents.  I also am a light action to medium light on the longer rods as the ultra light don't give you the "tink" as well.  Spool it up with 8# power pro and add a mono leader and go fishing.  Combos will run over $100 but other options such as Berkley are good as well, but I do love my St.Croixs.

[Ranger520vx]

I am with you panfisher I really like power pro braid the feel is so much better. Only I don't use the leader, all I have used for the last 4 years is hi vis yellow in 10 lb. And doesn't seem to make a nickels worth of difference. The reason for the yellow is so I can see the line jump when they are hitting on the fall. Also a bonus is can pull out of a brush pile when hung up saves a lot of jigs.

[shockley32]

I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about the price of the rod, for all the money you spend on your truck, boat, electronics, gas, oil, etc... the rod will be the cheapest, arguably the most important, piece of equipment for the trip.   I have used nearly every rod manufactured for both bass and crappie, some I love while others I wouldn't even give to an enemy.  Buy the best rod you can possibly afford and take care of it - how it rides in your truck, boat, stored in the garage, etc... will have a lot to do with the longevity of the rod. 

You cannot compare apples and oranges, or rods to rods, for the material used, the blank, the eyelets as well as many other factors come into play.  Not only do the components used make a difference, the way it is constructed, the type of line used, weight, hook, style of bait/jig will all act accordingly.  I have had several custom rods built on the same blank, constructed differently with various grades of components, there is a tremendous difference in the same blank!  The outcome of your fishing, depending on the bite and aggressiveness of the fish, can be determined by your ability to pay close attention to the "small stuff".  There are days where the sharpness of the hook have determined going home with just a couple of keepers verses a limit.   

With all that said, comparing only blanks to blanks, currently the most sensitive blank on the market (according to professional rod builders) is the St Croix SCV.  I love mine, however they are pricy.  I highly recommend the highest grade St Croix or Loomis you can afford.  Another option, it will be cheaper but require more work, is to contact a rod builder.  I order my blanks through Mudhole.  They carry a house brand, the MHX series, that are excellent.  I own several and have been very impressed with their sensitivity, performance and durability.  Depending on the length and number of guides you should be able to find a quality rod builder to construct one for about $80-100.  Visit with them and ask for recommendations on which brand of components are the best bang for your buck.  I recommend a lite action over an ultra light while crappie fishing, however others will disagree. 

If you feel these are too expensive there are some nice rods in the moderate price range of $50-70, Everhart's in Clinton will carry several different brands and models, they also have the knowledge to help you pick out one that will work for you. 

This is probably more information than you wanted, however you can never be too informed when making an important decision.  In the past I never gave the rod much consideration, however several years ago I started fishing with a couple of retired professionals, they clued me in on a number of things.  There is a reason why they saying goes, "90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the fisherman."

Good luck in your search!

Brad 

 

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

2 hours ago, Ranger520vx said:

I would recommend a light action not ultra light, and a in my experience I really like a large arbor reel like the pflueger arbor. I fish a Loomis 7 ft. Light action and really like the sensitivity for feeling the light bites.

Yes, ultra light is just to light,  I usually get a longer rod and can still throw small baits just fine

[grizwilson]

23 minutes ago, shockley32 said:

I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about the price of the rod, for all the money you spend on your truck, boat, electronics, gas, oil, etc... the rod will be the cheapest, arguably the most important, piece of equipment for the trip.   I have used nearly every rod manufactured for both bass and crappie, some I love while others I wouldn't even give to an enemy.  Buy the best rod you can possibly afford and take care of it - how it rides in your truck, boat, stored in the garage, etc... will have a lot to do with the longevity of the rod. 

You cannot compare apples and oranges, or rods to rods, for the material used, the blank, the eyelets as well as many other factors come into play.  Not only do the components used make a difference, the way it is constructed, the type of line used, weight, hook, style of bait/jig will all act accordingly.  I have had several custom rods built on the same blank, constructed differently with various grades of components, there is a tremendous difference in the same blank!  The outcome of your fishing, depending on the bite and aggressiveness of the fish, can be determined by your ability to pay close attention to the "small stuff".  There are days where the sharpness of the hook have determined going home with just a couple of keepers verses a limit.   

With all that said, comparing only blanks to blanks, currently the most sensitive blank on the market (according to professional rod builders) is the St Croix SCV.  I love mine, however they are pricy.  I highly recommend the highest grade St Croix or Loomis you can afford.  Another option, it will be cheaper but require more work, is to contact a rod builder.  I order my blanks through Mudhole.  They carry a house brand, the MHX series, that are excellent.  I own several and have been very impressed with their sensitivity, performance and durability.  Depending on the length and number of guides you should be able to find a quality rod builder to construct one for about $80-100.  Visit with them and ask for recommendations on which brand of components are the best bang for your buck.  I recommend a lite action over an ultra light while crappie fishing, however others will disagree. 

If you feel these are too expensive there are some nice rods in the moderate price range of $50-70, Everhart's in Clinton will carry several different brands and models, they also have the knowledge to help you pick out one that will work for you. 

This is probably more information than you wanted, however you can never be too informed when making an important decision.  In the past I never gave the rod much consideration, however several years ago I started fishing with a couple of retired professionals, they clued me in on a number of things.  There is a reason why they saying goes, "90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the fisherman."

Good luck in your search!

Brad 

 

 

Everything Brad said here is true and I agree with 100 percent. When I was rod shopping, he gave me the very same advice several years ago.  The ONLY thing I would add, as I too was hung up on spending that much on a crappie rod is the advice of Jason King...."how much did you pay for a deer rifle that you only shoot once or twice a year...?  How many days will you use and enjoy a good crappie rod...?"  I have several of the aforementioned rods. 

[WeekendWarrior]

I have not bought a crappie rod as of yet, I use my bass spinning rods which I use a loomis 7 ft medium IMX which may be a bit heavy for crappie but I don't remember loosing any and I feel the subtle ticks

[Ranger520vx]

I used a medium for a long time and as you said warrior I had no problem feeling the tick's. It worked great using same rod for bass and crappie but like the light action for casting the light jigs. If just jigging brush piles a medium worked fine.