This spring we were at Strike, on the hump with everyone else. Wife and I had light action spinning outfits, the boy prefers a medium with 10 pound line because he had a fish break his line when he was 6 and he hated that. We caught some crappie but the bite was light, like a crappie. Some guy 25 feet away in another boat had a kinda tan or light brown rod, and I could see the bites and almost feel them. It was obviously a crappie rod, with a very fast tip but enough spine to whip them right in the boat. We want to rig up better for next year. Any recommendations?
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I got a seven foot Okuma Kokanee rod that may just be the ticket. I really like this rod and use it for all sorts of fishing.
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I use shimano Light fast tip
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This is the rod I use for crappie:
http://tinyurl.com/2wmbngc
While it isn't the rod you describe, the properties are very similar. It's a fast action rod that is soft enough not to rip the hook out of their mouth on hookset, and has enough backbone to lift them out of the cover. It's also extremely sensitive. You can almost feel fish breathing on the lure. Unlike a lot of crappie rods, it has spinning eyes. You can cast really light rigs a country mile. I can get a 1/16th ounce jig out about 40 feet. It can also handle larger fish. I've caught catfish up to 7 pounds on it.
Cabela's does not carry it in store, but you can order off their web site and have it shipped to the Boise store for free.
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I like the yellow eagleclaw ultra lights you can pick up at wally world. Cheap and effective. I can almost feel them looking at my jig.
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I'm old school with crappie. I buy vintage (& mint) glass 1960's Shakespeare spinning rods; 6 to 6 1/2 feet. You feel everything. Couple it with a same vintage Mitchell 308 and IMHO there is no finer light setup.
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A 5 or 6 weight fiberglass fly rod (9 1/2 foot) is perfect for crappie when the bit is light. I put on a clinic with them when others are looking at their rod for a nibble and missing all the action. Buy 'em cheap at yard sales.
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Do you use a spinning reel and if soo do you add a butt to the end of the handle?
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I use a spinning reel and I do not add anything to the butt. It works just fine without. If you find a rod with an uplocking reel seat, there is enough butt to hang it in a rod holder. I prefer to hang on to mine though.
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