I’ve run the gamut on rod length.
For now, I prefer “over 6-feet but under 7-feet”.
I’ve been sitting here this morning with it 35 degrees outside with a wind advisory for today . High projected is 39 and windy .
So, I googled “ Crappie.com favorite rod length for casting jigs” and got several old posts with some interesting reading .
Posts went back as far as 2008 with a lot of same people responding over the years to the newer posts as they progressed to last year .
Most preferred longer rods .
When the weather permitted , I’ve been fishing different rods I own , from 5-7’ , UL to light power rods . Trying to narrow down the best casting combos that were the most sensitive and the most enjoyable to fish with throwing light jigs
And I did have a winner . Actually two but they’re similar.
My one piece 5’4” St Croix ULF panfish series , both the new 2022 version and my old version 5’4” one piece SC ULF Panfish.
It just seemed these two rods did everything Best and were a joy to chase gills with .
I’ve also gone to a larger spool reel , 1000 up to a 2000 size ( with a lot of backing on the 2000)
With these reels the rod when gripped the way I do , just sort suspends , which I think may add to the sensitivity.
I used 4# P-line on most days . A couple times I fished 2# but the difference between 2# and 4# wasn’t as much as I thought it would be .
With this said , I’d be interested in hearing about your favorite combo for casting light jigs .
I hope some of the folks who have posted in similar threads previously will post , as I’d like to see how you’ve changed , if you have .
I have and probably will again .
I’ve run the gamut on rod length.
For now, I prefer “over 6-feet but under 7-feet”.
peshtigost LIKED above postgillchaser999 thanked you for this post
Hands down favorite is my 7' Shimano Soare BB paired with a Shimano Stella 2000, 2018 model which has a shallow spool. I use either 2-3lb. Maxima. I've been using it for almost four years and like it so much I bought a second one. I broke the tip off one and still use it and catch a lot of fish with it. Recently ordered two replacement tips, one to replace the broken one and the other in case I break another.
gillchaser999 thanked you for this post
My favorite is 6'10"; second is 6'9". So I'm in the same platoon as db4d!
"Alive without breath, as cold as death; never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking."LVSpinfisher1, deathb4disco LIKED above post
Gillchaser, on the shorter side of rods I’ve been having great success with a Berkeley Lightning rod b4 I started the the JDM rabbit hole and the said rod was being used less and less. This is the model:
It cast down to 1/32 oz but I haven’t got the reason to go that light, I’m mostly flinging floatNflies or dropshotting jigs from 1/8 to 1/4 oz., but it’s action tells me it won’t be a problem with lighter stuff. Cheers!
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gillchaser999 LIKED above post
I too, am in the "longer for smaller" camp. I like an ultralight fast action rod in the 6'6" to 7'3" range. Now, my oldest grandson (He is 9) has a whippy little rod he got on our annual pilgrimage to Grizzly Jig when we go to Realfoot. He can flick a 1/32 jig about a football field with that thing.
Ok, a football field is a stretch but he can huck it with that thing. I honestly think it is some type of ice fishing rod, but it is about 4' long and it preloads like crazy.
All that to say this...sometimes, I think distance to jig weight ratio is less about length and is more about rod action and casting mechanics, probably a combination of all three.
skeetbum LIKED above post
True. Lots of variables in play. That said, if all those other variables are equal, a longer rod will cast further: moment of inertia at the end of the rod equals force x length squared (a simplification since this formula is for a rod that doesn't bend).
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