hello everyone. I know that this is not a bass fishing thread but i have a question about crappie fishing tackle.

i recently subscribed to crappie magazine and i was given a free tackle kit which contained an assortment of baits.

the kit contained 1.5" crappie shads/1.75" super tubes/crappie magnums/1.5" teaser tails/1.5" lit'l hard heads. all in differnet colors. i am providing a lilnk below which will take you to a website that distributes these kits and also so you can get an idea of what i received

http://www.southernpro.com/product_showcase.cfm

my question is this. i have an extreme baitcaster rod/reel combo (6'-6", lure weight 3/8-1oz, 10-20lb line weight, MH)...........can i use this rod for these baits? if not, what kind of set up is required to fish these baits? by the size of the baits, it doesnt look like it would take much.

anybody out there that can help me with crappie fishing i would greatly appreciate it.

oh, one more thing.  what is the best way to set these baits up with hooks?  they are really small and im not sure the best way to go

thank you in advance

Now, I don't do much crappie fishing but when I do it is with a Light or Ultra light spinning rod.  You won't be able to cast those tiny crappie jigs on a baitcaster.  I would suggest you get a 5'6" or 6' light action spinning rod with a small spinning reel like a symetre 750 or 1000.  

I would get some 4# or 6# line also.

I would get some 4# or 6# line also.

X2.  thats a must.

I'd use ultralight spinning with 4# test. The lures can be be used with small jigheads such as 1/16 or 1/8. I'd probably use internal heads with the tubes.

Even if your baitcasting rig could cast these, you wouldn't have nearly as much fun as you would with ultralight.

Your rod/reel and line are definitely too heavy. Crappie are very soft biters.

I use a light or ultra light setup as well as a Sam Heaton, 10'

Crappie rod, a Pfleuger underspin reel and 6# camo line. The ultra light is a Rapala

5'6" rod I picked up on clearance at WalMart once for under $10. I have the best

success with small grubs on 1/16 oz jigs.

I have ocassionally caught some Crappie on medium or medium light

spinning equip while fishing for bass. My best grub color is a pumpkin/chartreuse.

I fish a 6'6" BPS Micro-Lite spinning rod with 4lb flouro on a Shimano Sedona 1500. It cast 1/16 and 1/32 crappie jigs pretty well and is a lot of fun with a 1-2lb slab on the other end.

thank you everyone, i will definitley look into a light weight pole for these little guys.....................

Ditto, except I use 3# test, heck I've landed 8# rainbow trout with my ultralite and 3 # test, so even a 3 # crappie shouldn't be a problem..

I'd use ultralight spinning with 4# test. The lures can be be used with small jigheads such as 1/16 or 1/8. I'd probably use internal heads with the tubes.

Even if your baitcasting rig could cast these, you wouldn't have nearly as much fun as you would with ultralight.

I'd recommend Light over UltraLight spinning gear with 4# Trilene XL.  A 5" - 5'6" rod should do it.  BPS has a Wally Marshall rod that I love.  They are on sale now for $30 - $35.  Not St. Croix but nice rods for the money.

I use an ultralight baitcaster Shakespeare rod with 2-6 LB. line. I prefer using grubs light green to yellow works best. I even caught my first bass using this method of fishing.

I also used a medium rod and caught some crappies too, but did not catch as much if I used a medium. I like to experiment when it comes to fishing.

I forgot to add, Crappie Nibbles.  For me, they work well.

when i was in NC , i used size 3 and 5 floating and jointed rapalas with a split shot just heavy enough to slowly sink the lure about 16 inches up. cast and let the weight touch bottom then slowly bring it in.

i use a president 6725 on a fugly stick lite 5'6 ul rod with #6 trilene xl. we were catching them left and right in the early morning. t'was very fun times.

Now that will come in handy.  Thanks!  Crappie still is the best tasting freshwater fish.  IMO