Hey all, after a recent trip to a bluegrass jam I realized something. A 7' m rod with a size 2500 spinning reel with 30lb braid is not fun for crappie fishing from a dock. I'm looking for a 5'ish rod and spinning reel for crappie/perch fishing. I figure I'll be using light braid (10/2 or 14/4). I'm open to any brand. What are you recommendations?

I use mostly BPS brand rods and reels for crappie fishing. 4lb. trilene XL exclusively. BTW nice to see a fellow bluegrass picker. What instrument do ya play? I pick banjo and guitar myself.

I fish for Mayan cichlids down here, awesome little guys that go up 2#.  I have a pflueger trion ul on a light 5'6 lighting rod that fishes like ul rod.  I like this set up and switched from 4# mono to 10# braid.  Works well with a crappie jig or beetle spin.

I picked up one of these "Bass Pro Shops® Wally Marshall Pro Spinning Rod and Reel Combos" back in the spring when it was on sale. It's listed as $49, I think I paid $39. Its a nice little combo. The rod is very good for this price. I wasn't trilled with the reel at first, it worked fine, but just wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. This was easily resolved with a few drops of oil. After proper lubrication the reel worked much better and I still use it several times a week.

I have been using this rig for lightweight lures (grubs, jigs, tubes, small flukes, etc) in pursuit of smallmouth in a stream close to my house. I have taken several smallies on it, most in the 14"-18" range and one that was almost 3 lbs. I use 20# power pro (6# dia) line. This is a fun way to fish man...good stuff and very addictive. Catching those stream smallies on lightweight gear is awesome. Overall I have been very satisfied and for the price I think it's an excellent value.

I wasn't able to hyperlink it due to forum restrictions, but you can go to the basspro web site and put 38-951-926-00 into the search box. The result will be the combo that I am referring to in my post.

I use a Abu Garcia Cardinal 101 and a light action 5 1/2' Lightning Rod, spooled with 2/10 Power Pro.