There's several different answers to your question So I'll give you my simplest one: we Longline mostly 12 rods out a 520 ranger, 3 down each side and six across the back. I have 2-16', 2-14'. 1-12' Southern Crappie rods for this application, across the back we Run 2-9' rod and 4-8ers' Across the back. the side long rods have a little angle or spread to them and across the back we spread those out more so we only have 2 running under the track of the boat. For the back rods we're using the Vexan Crappie Rods, seem to handle fish a little better an keep them from tangling other rods up as much. Southern's aren't as stiff and you don't miss as many if you don't see the fish hit the bait.
If you don't get hung every-once-n-a-while you ain't jigg'n it right..:D
Member of:
South Carolina Crappie Association TX. Trail
Vexan Pro-staff Member