How long a fishing pole?

Just how long a fishing rod do you need to go crappie fishing with? First you have to answer what technique you are using to catch your crappie. While shorter fishing rods are better for accurate casting a longer rod is normally used when forward facing sonar fishing.


Fishing poles have changed over the years from 2,000 B.C. even earlier in time when the first fishing poles were recorded and made from bamboo, hazel shoots to wood. Today’s high tech poles are made of advance graphite blanks that are lightweight, super sensitive and strong. No wonder anglers have several poles ready to go with lures tied on for fishing.


Longtime crappie fishing pros Charles Bunting has been around long enough to see how the fishing poles length and rod blanks have change. “I have been around long enough to see changes in fishing poles designs, construction and lengths,” B’n’M Poles pro Bunting continued, “I have used every length and style including the new B’n’M Poles Black Diamond poles that were designed for forward facing sonar fishing.”


In years past, Bunting would dock shoot or cast a 6 foot pole in tournaments or just for fun to catch crappie. Rod length and bend of the pole for casting was the most important part of selecting the best pole for fishing. In tournament fishing few anglers are dock shooting, however, Bunting noted that for fun fishing and catching crappie it’s a great way to get a limit. Today, Bunting if he is dock shooting he’s using a B’n’M Poles SharpShooter Six. It’s a one piece extra stiff graphite blank that results in longer, more accurate cast of fishing jigs


Next, Bunting noted with the release of side imaging sonar spider rigging increased in popularity. “It was in the early 2000’s when open water trolling became popular and that’s how tournaments were won,” Bunting continued, “We used B’n’M Poles BGJP aka Buck’s Graphite Jig Poles mostly in the 16 foot length and very successfully.”


In today’s world of forward facing sonar, Bunting has switched to long, high tech fishing poles, however, he is still changing the rod length to get the best cast or drop to catch a crappie. “When I’m taking people out fishing, I usually let them use a 12 foot long rod because they are not use to fishing with long rods and the longer rods are hard to control for them,” Bunting went on, “But, normally I like the 14 foot B’n’M Poles Diamond Series Jig Pole and switch to the 18 foot B’n’M Poles Black Diamond Series if they get spooky.”



“Now I’m either casting with the B’n’M Poles 75 Series Rod paired with the 75 Series Reel or 6 foot Sharpshooter, but mostly with the longer 75 Series rod as it can cast farther and more accurately,” said Bunting. The 75 Series Rod is a one piece pole constructed from high modulus graphite which results in an extremely strong, sensitive and castable fishing pole. It also features high quality, gold alloy guides and genuine Portuguese cork knob handle.


When fishing with forward facing sonar, Bunting uses rod lengths from 12- to 18-foot in length. “For dipping, I like the 12 foot Diamond Series and I will change to the 14 foot Diamond Series for a little more length,” Bunting went on, “I will switch to the longer 16- or 18-foot Black Diamond Jig Poles for spooky fish.” B’n’M Poles Black Diamond Jig Poles were released at 2023 ICAST and have become popular with angler fishing with forward facing sonar. The 3 piece rods are made with IM6 graphite blank and feature a carbon fiber reel seat and genuine Portuguese cork handle. The 18 foot Black Diamond Jig Pole also features 3.2-ounce counterweight plates and 16 foot Black Diamond Jig Pole a 9.6-ounce counterweight plates that are removable allowing the angler to customize the balance of the rod.


For reels, Bunting uses B’n’M Poles 75 Series spinning reels or HH baitcasters rigged up with 12 pound fluorocarbon K9 fishing line or 10 pound braid around timber like on Truman Reservoir.

Article by Brad Wiegmann