14' Spider Rigging Rods-Weight

[Quailtail]

I started out with 14' Southern Crappie Rods for my spider rigging set up. Seems sometimes these are heavy or perhaps its just me and being lazy. Haven't had any issues with them other than breaking a tip but my fault not the rod. They are tough.

Are there lighter rods available with the same backbone to lift big fish out of the water?

[Chuck Adams]

I use 14 foot BnM poles and have for several years. Never push anything over 1/2 ounce and mostly 3/8 ounce double minnow rigs.
With heavier weights I move up to my 16 foot Southern poles.
And yes you are right they are kinda heavy. Thank goodness they are in the rod holders.
I did cut the butt of a 16 ft southern down to about 8 inches and use it for single pole jigging from time to time but it will wear you out after a couple hours.


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[Blackjeepjk]

What reels are you using?
I’ve got 11ft, 12ft, and 14ft bnm’s. Like Chuck says, my 14ft will wear me out single pole jiggin but I think it’s because my spin cast reels are heavy.
I carry a couple of 12ft’ers with me now with ultra light trout reels and they feel like feathers comparing.



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[Erin Brewer]

I have a set of southerns in 143t the heavy duty ones. I use them pulling cranks and power trolling and they do great super tough rods but like you said they are heavy. BnM BGJP are much lighter but a lot softer as well mostly use 3/8 oz weights trolling with them! The BnM PST is really light and can handle swinging in the crappie they handle trolling light weight or heavy up to 1.5 oz. I have always wanted to try a set of ACC crappie stix but have not rounded up the funds to do so


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[Nutbush]

I started out with the 14 Southern’s. Lots of whipping action in the wind. Got the 14 BGJP and have to say they are the best rods I’ve bought for pushing up to 1 ounce, and really show their worth with a 1/4 ounce.


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[Quailtail]

I am using a small spinning reel that is a size 1 or less I bought from Fle-Fly fishing. That had a great sale on them and I bought 8. They perform well while spider rigging. Basically they are line holders for the most part as with any spider rig reel.

[moecarama]

14 ft.BnM PST's with 1/2 oz weight works best for me; when pushing jigs/ minnows.

[Tom 513]

I put inexpensive sidewinder type reels on all my Southern 14ft'rs you really don't need to reel to much spider rigging, so you can do without a spinning, baitcaster or spincast reel. Not only does it make them a bunch lighter, but i can easily stack 4 of them on the deck without needing a transport rack.

[TheRo0sTer]

I have two sets of rods on my boat. What do you mean by "Lighter?" Are you talking the overall weight of the rod or the action? ACC Crappie Stix make some light rods.

Ozark Pro Series Trolling rods 14', they are light-medium weight and do pretty well. I usually have a 1/2 oz sinker, hook with minnow and 1/16oz jig with minnow and they run pretty good. I have caught 48" gar, 30" cats and a couple of 28" Stripers on them.
Jenko Slab City - they are more on the light side. Same as above. Sensitive tips allow me to see small strikes, but can handle the big fish.

All my rods are outfitted with KastKing Royale Legend II baitcasters and 15lb fluorocarbon line. According to Ozark's website the says the tips is soft through to the midsection and then gets more firm. Jenko just says "lightweight."

I'm going to buy some ACC Crappie Sticks here in the very near future. If anyone fishes them, I'd be curious what you think. I love my jigging rods and they offer a great Military discount.

[Quailtail]

I am referring to the actual weight of the rod itself. Have had no experience with any other than the Southern Crappie Rods. Not knocking them. Just looking for a lighter weight rod to deal with that can perform with a one oz. weight.