Crappie are a favorite species for table fare and they’re flat-out fun. These fish are manageable yet fat, hard-fighting, and delicious. In some ways, they’re the perfect game fish! When it comes to Crappie fishing, you can likely carry a single fishing rod to get the job done. For experienced and nuanced anglers, however, having multiple rods is ideal.
While some lakes are loaded with different species to chase, most anglers won’t hesitate to jump on a hot Crappie bite. It’s just too much fun to refuse and the reward of amazing filets is a mouthwatering reason to always have at least one Crappie rod rigged and ready to fish.
In this guide, we’ll let you know exactly what you should be looking for in a Crappie fishing rod. We’ll run through the specifics of what you should look for and break down the different types of rods out there. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to go out and rig your own!
General Categories of Crappie Fishing Rods
As already mentioned, you can certainly find a single rod to cover a wide range of applications. For more regular Crappie anglers, however, it’s worth investing in a few styles of rods to specialize in the various techniques. After all, every season is a little different, and certain waters call for different approaches…
Trolling Rods
Let’s kick off with the heavier rods. Trolling places more force on the rod and it requires stiffer and heavier rods than other fishing styles. You might troll a crankbait that is pretty resistant or something super light that places little pressure on the rod. Either way, erring on the heavier side means you can troll slow or fast with a variety of lure options. These rods typically run on the longer side with sensitive tips.
Ultralight Rods
This is my favorite rod style for Crappie. They can handle casting, jigging, and even light trolling. I really love jigging with a 6′ ultralight Crappie rod that has a sensitive tip. Any brand is effective but some are labeled specific to Crappie fishing. Of course, they can crossover to Bluegill, small Bass, and plenty of other species as well. Line choice is also important here and I feel that braided lines are more sensitive for jigging and casting – but every angler has their own line preferences.
Jig Rods
While ultralight rods handle the majority of my jigging and casting applications for Crappie, sometimes it pays to have a rod built for reach when jigging. Some models are built at 10–12 feet with a moderate action, and they make it easier to gain reach from docks and shorelines. I especially like longer rods when attempting to reach cover from shore. You can dip the jig against overhanging bushes or sunken logs to catch more fish in difficult places.
Casting and Dock Rods
These are your go-to rods for light lures in just about any situation. These are the rods you keep rigged with a jig or general lure that can catch Crappie alongside a number of other species, and can also cross over with the ultralight category. Keep a few in the boat or on shore to grab and cast when you want to explore or target a broader number of species.
Choosing the Best Rod Length and Power for Crappie Fishing
You can go a few different directions in terms of power but, for most purposes, Crappie only require light- to moderate-power rods. I prefer sensitive tips because they’re fun and also make it easier to detect light strikes. Getting a firm hookset is difficult on some days and the extra sensitivity really helps. You can certainly catch plenty of fish on a stiffer rod but the light tips are more fun.
When it comes to length, the range is broad. For casting and boat fishing, I find a short rod is easier to manage. The 6-foot range is really nice and it’s not awkward in the boat. I fish my short rods from shore and docks as well. When you need that extra reach, look to the rods running over 10 feet long. They’re a blast to fish and make it possible to reach those tricky spots on ponds and lakes.
Crappie Fishing Rods FAQs
What Crappie rod will you fish?
The reality is that any rod can catch Crappie. When the bite is hot, it’s all about getting your lure or bait in the strike zone. Sometimes that means using a boat to find schools of suspended fish and other times it’s about dropping a jig near a log to lure one from hiding. Chasing Crappie is an absolute blast that often results in some amazing filets. Whether you prefer them baked or battered and fried, Crappie are about as tasty a fish as you will find for the table. It’s high time you caught your own!
Do you have a favorite Crappie fishing rod? We’d love to hear your opinions on long vs short rods and what you prefer. Share away in the comments below!
