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! 

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

^ Price range

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

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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.

Daiwa Presso Ultralight.

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.

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.

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? 

Just now, MJack said:

Know anything about the Lew’s rod? 

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