Crappie Rod and reel recommendations

[Seth]

These are the combos I use for crappie.

6' medium light BPS Microlite graphite spinning rod w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono (dock shooting with 1/16oz jigheads)
6'6" ultralight Browning Airstream w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono(dock shooting 1/32oz jigheads)
7' light BPS Microlite graphite w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono(slip corking, casting double jig rigs, vertical jigging)
10' Sam Heaton super sensitive w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono (dipping brush and standing timber)

I would rather have 6# on my other setups and 15# braid on the long rod so I can straighten hooks from snags, but I have a bunch of the 4# Hi-viz Mr Crappie line so that's what I have been using on everything. It gets the job done for us.

[grizwilson]

43 minutes ago, Seth said:

These are the combos I use for crappie.

6' medium light BPS Microlite graphite spinning rod w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono (dock shooting with 1/16oz jigheads)
6'6" ultralight Browning Airstream w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono(dock shooting 1/32oz jigheads)
7' light BPS Microlite graphite w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono(slip corking, casting double jig rigs, vertical jigging)
10' Sam Heaton super sensitive w/ Pflueger 6925 and 4# Mr Crappie Hi-Viz mono (dipping brush and standing timber)

I would rather have 6# on my other setups and 15# braid on the long rod so I can straighten hooks from snags, but I have a bunch of the 4# Hi-viz Mr Crappie line so that's what I have been using on everything. It gets the job done for us.

Seth, you open a new door with dock shooting.  The BPS micolite has also been my rod of choice for that task until recently I acquired a B&M Sharpshooter which is a tad better for me. The microlite has served well when I have folks come without suitable equipment, they have withstood some MAJOR abuse.  Per your statement my 6'6" airstream gets a tryout on the 32d.  For dipping/jig poling I use the Sam Heaton super sensitive 9' just because it fits better in my boat.  I am using power pro or Nano 8 with a pline cxx leader. All of these rods can be purchased for under $50 on sale, and you add the Pfluger President 6925 you have rigs for under $100 Good Suggestions

[MOPanfisher]

I have a 7'2" Outlaw that is very soft like a Micro-Lite that works well for dock shooting, as does my St. Croix 6' Lite Action.  There are many many rods/reels that work just fine.  I like Als comparison to a deer rifle, I am gonna use that the next time my wife asks me if I really need a new rod.  I almost never break a rod, I am very particular about my rods, on occasion I have loaded one out to someone, always either someone I knew who would take as good care of it as I do, or more likely one of my older ones that if they break, well then I just have an extra reel around.

[Seth]

2 hours ago, grizwilson said:

Seth, you open a new door with dock shooting.  The BPS micolite has also been my rod of choice for that task until recently I acquired a B&M Sharpshooter which is a tad better for me. The microlite has served well when I have folks come without suitable equipment, they have withstood some MAJOR abuse.  Per your statement my 6'6" airstream gets a tryout on the 32d.  For dipping/jig poling I use the Sam Heaton super sensitive 9' just because it fits better in my boat.  I am using power pro or Nano 8 with a pline cxx leader. All of these rods can be purchased for under $50 on sale, and you add the Pfluger President 6925 you have rigs for under $100 Good Suggestions

My air stream was bought to be used as a trout setup with 2# test, but I love it so much that I just have to swap reels and take it with me when I go crappie fishing. It's just so dang light and fun to fish with! I have a feeling my Microlites will be getting replaced with a couple more Airstreams before it's over with.

[top_dollar]

6 or 7ft light power, fast action spinning rod is your best bet...tons of options for less than 100$ and most are more than sufficient.  The 7ft air stream says ultralight, but its more of a light, i have a 2 of the 7 footers and really like them, although i have a 6ft 6 and its definitely an ultra light rod and not as stout as the 7 footer.  Fenwick river runner, and st croix blank with SC2 and SC4 graphite are also good, but expensive.  I have a 2 cabelas light, fast, and they also good rods for the money.  I prefer size 30 or bigger reels. Pfluegers, diawas, shimano, whatever brand you like they all work fine.

[ChiefWannaCatchem]

Thanks for all the info.   This is helpful.  

So it looks like a lot of you hi viz line.    Do most folks use a mono leader or tie the jig onto the hi viz? 

[MOPanfisher]

Until this year I had tied the braid directly to the jig.  This year I am switching to a mono leader simply because the braid can get frayed and weak easily rubbing against stuff.  And I am trying to use what I have and can usually find a high vis mono for a leader, PLine bright green, Stren Gold, or even original Stren Fluorescent.

[snagged in outlet 3]

On ‎3‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 11:25 AM, Seth said:

My air stream was bought to be used as a trout setup

I bought a 7'er last fall for trout fishing.  LOVIN IT!