What's been said is excellent advice. Look at some rod manufacturers that specialize in crappie fishing. Most are great rods at ~$50.00. I do a lot of casting as well side pulling and drifting for crappie. My personal casting preference is for the B n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive in the 7' length. And as has been said, it's not just the rod. The reel, line type, and diameter (pound test) have a great deal to do with it as well.
I use a Pflueger President #6920 UL reel on this rod. It is filled with 2# test Fireline Crystal with a 4# test fluorocarbon leader. I can cast this rig a country mile - well, almost anyway! And this set up has enough backbone and smoothness of drag, to handle anything that comes your way.
Again, as has been said, a LOT of this kind of selection is personal feel and confidence. There are few short cuts to using a rig on the water yourself. Catalogs can't be a substitute I'm afraid. Good Luck!
"A voyage in search of knowledge need never abandon the spirit of adventure."