Medium power spinning rod for crappie

Does anyone use a medium power fast tip spinning rod for crappie? I know they can be caught on one successfully due to catching them myself while bass fishing, but I'm not sure if a rod like this will cover the actual techniques used for crappie fishing when done the right way.

I currently have a 6'6" M/F spinning rod with 8 pound mono line on it, and I could put 6 pound on it if needed. But I was thinking of buying a new one to set up just for crappie so I keep my bass rig as is. Also was thinking longer is better for some reason, so I am looking at a 7' rod, and either a M/F or ML/F power and action. Specifically, the Shimano Convergence rods, paired with a Pflueger Trion Tri30x or Tri25x reel.

A medium rod will work, but I think a lighter rod is more fun. I like light or UL rods for crappie.

I've used them, and they worked just fine. They are a Eagle Claw 6'6" med action paired with a Shimano Aero 1000 and a Berkley Select Hank Parker 6'6" M/L paired with a Shimano Spirex 2000. Though, neither one has a fast action tip. They are currently being used as "backups" for me, or for other people that fish with me & don't have (or didn't bring) a casting outfit.

My current casting rods are a ESP 6'6" PowerLite & a 7' Sam Heaton Signature Series spinning rod. The ESP is lite power, very fast action tip, IM6, that I use mostly for casting jigs. The Sam Heaton is lite power, slow action tip, IM6, that I use mostly for casting Road Runners.

Ultra light = fun

Med is ok but don't get wild with hook set..Gentle If casting lite stuff distance may suffer

That's ok, today I discovered the Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite is available with a choice of any length and power/action rod paired with a choice of any size Pflueger President reel, and sold as a combo for $100. Ultra Light up to Medium is possible with any reel ranging from size 20 to 40. Yes, they actually had a 4'6" ultra light with a size 40 on it (who would use that and why???), but more interestingly, they had a size 20 on a 7'6" ultra light. So from one extreme to the other. With this combo as an option I can see a size 25 or 30 reel on a 6'6" or 7' rod in whatever power feels right to me. Probably medium light or light. Ultra light seems like it would be too whippy.

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Originally Posted by The Rooster

That's ok, today I discovered the Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite is available with a choice of any length and power/action rod paired with a choice of any size Pflueger President reel, and sold as a combo for $100. Ultra Light up to Medium is possible with any reel ranging from size 20 to 40. Yes, they actually had a 4'6" ultra light with a size 40 on it (who would use that and why???), but more interestingly, they had a size 20 on a 7'6" ultra light. So from one extreme to the other. With this combo as an option I can see a size 25 or 30 reel on a 6'6" or 7' rod in whatever power feels right to me. Probably medium light or light. Ultra light seems like it would be too whippy.

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What you want to do is pick out the rod you like, first .... then put a couple two or three different sizes of reels on it and see which one balances best with that rod. If you can put your finger out and lay the rod/reel across that finger at the very front edge of the rod handle, and it balances .... that's the combo you want. It's even OK if the rod slowly tilts towards the handle end, as long as it don't drop like a rock !! What you don't want is for the combo to drop quickly towards the rod tip end. Tip heavy combos will wear your wrist/arm out a lot quicker, and they're kinda cumbersome to cast with. When the combo is a balanced set, the whole thing feels lighter in your hand & becomes an extension of your arm ... very comfortable to fish with.

My 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod has a size 20 reel on it and it balances very well. Rod is light in weight, but not what I'd call a "lite power" rod. It has a very fast action tip, so it casts well & loads up great for dock shooting. You just have to know that UL, L, Med/L, or Med has no industry standard .... so one brand's Med may be closer to another brand's Lite, which is why having the rods/reels "in hand" before purchase is always the best way to go.

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Originally Posted by The Rooster

Ultra light seems like it would be too whippy.

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Every manufacturer has a different definition of "ultra light". I don't think the UL Microlites are whippy at all, but you may differ. As CP said, try 'em out and see which feels best to you.

I need to plan a trip to BPS and sample them. Thank you all for the replies.

Just tried to look at the same outfit at BP in Myrtle Beach. The 20 reel is 6 ball bearing and anything higher is 9 ball bearings. They did not have a big selection to look at. I am very picky when trying a new rod and/or reel. Did not buy today, just tackle bag, jig heads, and floats.

You can obviously catch crappie on about any pole. When it comes to fun I would stay in the UL - ML range. ML is the stiffest I would go. I fish crappie with a 7' ML Fast action premier and love it for crappie.

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Originally Posted by The Rooster

Does anyone use a medium power fast tip spinning rod for crappie? I know they can be caught on one successfully due to catching them myself while bass fishing, but I'm not sure if a rod like this will cover the actual techniques used for crappie fishing when done the right way.

I currently have a 6'6" M/F spinning rod with 8 pound mono line on it, and I could put 6 pound on it if needed. But I was thinking of buying a new one to set up just for crappie so I keep my bass rig as is. Also was thinking longer is better for some reason, so I am looking at a 7' rod, and either a M/F or ML/F power and action. Specifically, the Shimano Convergence rods, paired with a Pflueger Trion Tri30x or Tri25x reel.

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That's what I use. Ita worked fine for me. I know for jigging they recommend a long rod, but for what I do a 6'6 medium has worked for me. I do want an ultralight to make it more of a challenge and all that. But from my LIMITED experience your setup is identical to mine and it works just fine for how I fish for crappie.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Take a look at the B n' M Sam Heaton SuperSensitive series of rods. You can match a 7' model with a Pflueger President for around $100.00. Great combination for crappie. And definitely look at line between 4# test and 6# test.

Year's ago I was really into 4# test line. Then discovered Crystal sewing thread, tested at about 1#, sure was fun! Been using lever wind only for years's and 6# was as light as I've gone on them. But started for crappie last year and drug out an old light spinning rod with a broken reel. Got a new reel, cost me 20 some dollars and seem's to work fine. What I haven't run into is 4# line anywhere. You'd think everyone would have it! 6# is light as I've been able to find. Probably gonna have to find it on the internet!

I find a ML rod matched with wide spool spinning reel a lot more "reasonable" than the buggy whip UL combos you find at big box stores. UL combos have narrow spools and line bunches up a lot. Can hinder casting. I use a 6' ML Dock Shooter with US 180 reel spooled with 4lb Berkley crappie mono. I use it mostly for casting jigs plus the wide spool helps with distance. The high gear ratio helps with retrieves.

Crappie is about all I use a spinning rod for these days. Have several but only two I use. One is a Shakespere Intirpid 6'6" light action but fairly fast tip, love it. Used my backup some yesterday is a Eagle Claw Feather Light 6'6", Really slow tip. As I recall all I was thinking about Kokenee fishing when I got it. Never fished for though. First time out with it for crappie yesterday and missed a number of fish when trying to set the hook, rod just to soft. Really bends though with a fish on! It has on it a Shimano 2000, love the reel. On the Shakespere is a reel I got last fall when a reel broke on me. Ocuma ROX-40, $35 reel and love it! Couldn't pick a favorite from the two. Seldom ever miss a fish with the Shakespere. I didn't hook a spinner up with the Wright McGill rod but that might help hook up. I mostly use slip bobber and line is fairly loose laying on the water. Problem with the Wright McGill is it's just way to slow.

BTW, I did try a small single spin with a 1" curly tail on it and did very well!

What Don just spoke of is key to choosing a good rod. My early experience with ultralight rods were small in length and soft in action. I’ve heard the term “parabolic” used to describe some rods, and my understanding of that is that it begins to bend right in front of the handle. I have learned that I like a soft tip that will load during the cast of a light jig, but have enough middle and butt stiffness to handle a surprise fish. A fast action or medium fast action seems to suit me most times. As DBD said earlier, all are not the same. Medium in one maker is completely different with another, so handle before you buy or be ready to be disappointed. An inexpensive rod that I like a lot is the Shakespeare micro series. They come from 4’6” to 7’ in most of the places I have seen carry them. The 6’6” is a nice rod that behaves well for everything from jigs to slip floats that I have tried on it. At$18 it doesn’t hurt your feelings at the register. I have 3 of the President 20’s and like them fine. Always remember to loosen the drag when you’re done and you won’t compress the drag washers. That goes for all of your reels, especially the smaller ones. 4lb line is what I’ve used for years, bass pros offshore angler tight lines, and always hi vis. Something like 4000 yards for under $10. Variations on these items have kept me fishing and teaching others for years now. If you like a higher end rod, look up the St Croix 66lf with the blue label. I prefer the one piece version, but both are nice. Good luck in you r search, and keep us posted, you’re teaching us along the way.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

What you want to do is pick out the rod you like, first .... then put a couple two or three different sizes of reels on it and see which one balances best with that rod. If you can put your finger out and lay the rod/reel across that finger at the very front edge of the rod handle, and it balances .... that's the combo you want. It's even OK if the rod slowly tilts towards the handle end, as long as it don't drop like a rock !! What you don't want is for the combo to drop quickly towards the rod tip end. Tip heavy combos will wear your wrist/arm out a lot quicker, and they're kinda cumbersome to cast with. When the combo is a balanced set, the whole thing feels lighter in your hand & becomes an extension of your arm ... very comfortable to fish with.

My 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod has a size 20 reel on it and it balances very well. Rod is light in weight, but not what I'd call a "lite power" rod. It has a very fast action tip, so it casts well & loads up great for dock shooting. You just have to know that UL, L, Med/L, or Med has no industry standard .... so one brand's Med may be closer to another brand's Lite, which is why having the rods/reels "in hand" before purchase is always the best way to go.

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I've been fishing a lot of years and never heard this before. So I tried it out. All my rods balance like that on the handle just to the front of the reel. HUH!

Take a look at the TICA trout rod on Amazon. A great rod in light action with fast tip!

It's amazing how far fishing has come since I was a kid. Back then, early 50's, if we wanted a fishing rod we just went and bought a fishing rod. Med action? Never heard of it! Then UL came in the scene. My first memory of it was in Germany in the service about 1965. Mitchell Garcia came out with the little 308 reel and I think the rod was a 3601. Favorite rod and reel and by the time I lost them, they weren't making them anymore. That was my most favorite rod and reel ever. Today you need a doctorate in fishing rods to pick out the very best rod for any particular fish. I remember in my grandfather's gun closet, an uncle kept his salmon rod. It was made of steel!

I use a M/L Fast or Ultra Fast tip usually 6'*'- 6'10" range with a Shimano Sedona 1000 spooled with 6lb mono. I throw 1 1/6oz tubes mostly, but I catch everything from Crappie-Grinell. I like more backbone for being able to set the hook lightly as well as fighting bigger fish. I have found rods shorter than 6'8" do not cast very well wit this set up

Mays

I have 4 sizes of the Presidents and my favorite for panfish is the 25. Not much heavier than 20 but more bearings. The 35 is my inshore saltwater reel.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

What Don just spoke of is key to choosing a good rod. My early experience with ultralight rods were small in length and soft in action. I’ve heard the term “parabolic” used to describe some rods, and my understanding of that is that it begins to bend right in front of the handle. I have learned that I like a soft tip that will load during the cast of a light jig, but have enough middle and butt stiffness to handle a surprise fish. A fast action or medium fast action seems to suit me most times. As DBD said earlier, all are not the same. Medium in one maker is completely different with another, so handle before you buy or be ready to be disappointed. An inexpensive rod that I like a lot is the Shakespeare micro series. They come from 4’6” to 7’ in most of the places I have seen carry them. The 6’6” is a nice rod that behaves well for everything from jigs to slip floats that I have tried on it. At$18 it doesn’t hurt your feelings at the register. I have 3 of the President 20’s and like them fine. Always remember to loosen the drag when you’re done and you won’t compress the drag washers. That goes for all of your reels, especially the smaller ones. 4lb line is what I’ve used for years, bass pros offshore angler tight lines, and always hi vis. Something like 4000 yards for under $10. Variations on these items have kept me fishing and teaching others for years now. If you like a higher end rod, look up the St Croix 66lf with the blue label. I prefer the one piece version, but both are nice. Good luck in you r search, and keep us posted, you’re teaching us along the way.

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Those Shakespeare micro series rods are tough as nails. Affordable, sensitive, can be found up to 7 foot long. I have several

I like a ML or an L over a UL for the way I fish.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I like a ML or an L over a UL for the way I fish.

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I agree. I fish alot of brush and many times you have to turn a fish fast. I have some ultralight setups but I use them for open water fishing or bluegill. I have a boat load of different rods and reels but my favorite for crappie fishing is a ML rod with a size 20 reel spooled with 10 lb power pro hi-vis line.

I love the cabelas micro lite 6'6" UL paired with a 1000 size Shimano (or similar sized) reel spooled with 10# test power pro (just in case a bass hits my jig). The Power Pro allows me to cast greater distances.

I have many UL and L. You might consider the Finwick Eagle Mediumlight with moderate fast action. For me this is a great
rod. Also comes with 5 year warranty. Talked to Finwick Tec and he favored the Medium Lite over Ultra Lite rod. You can purchase on amazon shipped for $64.00. Sometimes Rod Manufactors specs are completely different from others. If you go and pick up and compare you will know what you want.

I like a medium light for most crappie fishing