Are You Ready for Crappie Fishing?
Look no further if you’re wondering what makes excellent crappie rods. In the sections below, you’ll discover more information about how we choose our own rods and reviews of some great options. We’ll be reviewing general crappie fishing rods for this article; not spider rigging-specific rods.
Take a look at the top crappie rods on the market today:
- Croix Premier Spinning Rod – Our Pick!
- B’n’M Duck Commander Ultralite
- Cadence Fishing CR5 Spinning Rods
- Okuma Celilo
- Croix Panfish Series Spinning Rods
Reviews of the Best Crappie Fishing Rods
St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod – Our Pick
St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod
Length: 7’
Material: graphite
Power/action: ultralight/fast
Lure size: 1/32 oz. to 3/16 oz.
Line weight: 2 to 6 #
Handle: cork
Guide material: aluminum oxide-coated stainless steel
St. Croix Rod is rapidly surpassing the premium competition, including the credible Fenwick name. It’s not because Fenwick’s rods aren’t good, but because St. Croix is getting better and better. If you have cash, this is probably the best crappie rod out there.
Premier Ultralight features fast action and, in combination with the cushioned hook set needed for paper mice, provides the sensitivity you need. Strong, supple, balanced, and lightweight, this rod is everything you’re looking for. Bass, Panfish, Crappies-This rod can handle them all without worry and your line will snap long before that. High-quality aluminum oxide guides pamper the line. From our point of view, these are one of the best. Casting is also excellent with this rod, regardless of the size of the bait.
High-quality cork finishes the long handle of this rod, giving you plenty of space to cast comfortably with your biggest hands. If some anglers prefer split handles, Fenwick may be the best-performing alternative. If you’re willing to pay for a great rod, St. Croix is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Sensitivity beyond compare
- Exceptional casting
- Handles of high quality.
- Wondrous guides
Cons:
- Costly
B’n’M Duck Commander Ultralite
B’n’M Duck Commander Ultralite
Length: 6’
Material: IM6 graphite
Power/action: ultralight/fast
Lure size: 1/32 oz. to 1/4 oz.
Line weight: 2 to 6 lbs.
Handle: cork
Guide material: stainless steel
The Duck Commander, which may be known for waterfowl hunting, combined with B`n`M to create a budget-friendly crappie rod that covers all bases without breaking banks.
Available in two lengths, we prefer 6-inch two-piece rods.
The blank is made of IM6 graphite and is sensitive enough to feel any irregularities. And even if you cast a small Maliboo jig or Aberdeen hook under the sliding float, it casts really well.
There’s enough backbone here to fight crappie that can get caught, but at this price point graphite can hit or miss. It can lead to sudden failures, but at this price, you can afford a backup!
The cork grip is premium and comfortable, and the guide works pretty well while being minimalist.
If your wallet is a little flat, the B`n`M Duck Commander Ultralight will take you to the water and put a smile on your face.
Pros:
- Awesome price!
- Great sensitivity
- Excellent casting
- Quality handles
- Good guides
Cons:
- At this price, blank quality can be uneven
Cadence Fishing CR5 Spinning Rods
Cadence Fishing CR5 Spinning Rods
Length: 7’
Material: graphite
Power/action: ultralight/moderate
Lure size: 1/32 oz. to 1/8 oz.
Line weight: 2 to 6 lbs.
Handle: cork and EVA combo
Guide material: stainless steel inserted with SiC
The CR5 is a full-fledged rod at a bargain price, and this is a great choice if you are looking for a dedicated crappie rod.
With a combination of length, action, and power, the CR5 provides the soft hook set you need for crappie. In addition, with moderate action, you can use very thin lines that are in high demand. The rod bends for most of its length, otherwise, it simply absorbs the force transmitted to the line.
The CR5 Ultralight is also powerful and catching fish larger than crappie shouldn’t be a problem with this rod. However, the same modest behavior that makes it a crappie killer may not be ideal for other species.
The quality of the leads is excellent and the grips are of premium quality and excellent length.
Overall, this is a strong candidate for our top spot and great crappie rods.
Advantage:
- Great sensitivity
- High-quality handle
- Great guide
- A soft hook set is almost guaranteed
- Attractive price
Disadvantages:
Slightly less flexible than competitors
Okuma Celilo
Okuma Celilo
Length: 6’ 6”
Material: graphite
Power/action: ultralight/fast
Lure size: 1/32 oz. to 3/8 oz.
Line weight: 2 to 6 lbs.
Handle: cork
Guide material: aluminum oxide-coated stainless steel
Okuma is a great fishing company with a good reputation that has been hard-earned. And while they always offer the highest quality, they are opening up a niche for themselves in the budget market, making rods an excellent purchase.
Crappy’s favorite Celilo is a 6’6 inch two-piece rod.
Equipped with a high-quality graphite blank, this ultra-lightweight rod casts well and fights like a heavyweight boxer. It grabs the crappie you managed to catch, but still provides the idea of sensitivity and light lines and bait weights. This Celilo rod features a very good stainless steel guide with alumina inserts, and the overall feel of this rod is comparable to StCroix’s much more expensive products.
There’s also a long, full-length cork handle that’s perfect for all-day comfort.
Favorables:
- Excellent sensitivity
- Great cast
- Quality handle
- Great tour guide
- Great blank
Inconveniences:
- ???
St. Croix Panfish Series Spinning Rod
St. Croix Panfish Series Spinning Rod
Length: 6’9”
Material: graphite
Power/action: ultralight/fast
Lure size: 1/32 oz. to 3/16 oz.
Line weight: 2 to 6 #
Handle: cork /spinning
Guide material: stainless steel
As our top picks show, St. Croix makes excellent rods. If you’re looking for the same incredible quality, but can’t or don’t want to spend that much money, this is an option to check out. This nearly 2-meter one-piece rod is perfect for crappie and you can’t find a better rod for the price.
The ultra-lightweight Panfish series boasts fast action, but it’s probably better to describe it as medium speed. It is sensitive and absorbs shocks, making it ideal for crappie. It can soften the hook set and at the same time give you the sensation you need to find a light hit. The overall build quality is also excellent, and these rods clearly deserve the prestigious reputation they have earned.
The quality of the guide is what you would expect in this price range. It’s smooth, strong, and designed to withstand even the lightest lines in tough battles.
I have different personal tastes, but I think the handle is a little short. Nevertheless, the cork that Cadence uses for this rod is of the highest quality and many will find that the design fits them perfectly.
The only caveat when recommending this rod is that it is a bit cumbersome to store and transport as it is provided in one part.
Advantages
- Excellent sensitivity
- Great cast
- Quality handle
- Great tour guide
Inconveniences:
- A one-piece body makes storage and transportation cumbersome
When it comes to selecting a crappie rod, we pay attention to several factors :
Good crappie bars come in a variety of lengths, shapes, and actions. But what they have in common is that they help you install the hook smoothly while detecting rodent nests.
Action
As our top picks show, St. Croix makes excellent rods. If you’re looking for the same incredible quality, but can’t or don’t want to spend that much money, this is an option to check out. This nearly 2-meter one-piece rod is perfect for crappie, and you can’t find a better rod for the price.
The ultra-lightweight Panfish series boasts fast action, but it’s probably better to describe it as medium speed. It is sensitive and absorbs shocks, making it ideal for crappie. It can soften the hook set and at the same time give you the sensation you need to find a light hit. The overall build quality is also excellent, and these rods clearly deserve the prestigious reputation they have earned.
In our experience, switching to a sensitive rod is probably the best you can do when aiming for crappie. It provides the required mute hook set while providing the sensitivity to find careful shots.
I have different personal tastes, but I think the handle is a little short. Nevertheless, the cork that Cadence uses for this rod is of the highest quality and many will find that the design fits them perfectly.
The only caveat when recommending this rod is that it is a bit cumbersome to store and transport as it is provided in one part.
Power
Power describes the force required to bend a rod. Along with its performance, the strength of a bar tells you a lot about its performance.
For large fish like tarpons and pike, you need a strong rod to withstand the power of hard hits and epic battles. Also, for bases and redfish, you’ll need a sharp, stiff hook set to withstand your chances of landing. But in the case of crappie, even monsters don’t risk breaking the device. If you set the hook with a large force, the hook will come off.
An important point to consider when choosing a crappie rod is how the action works with its power. Of course, I wouldn’t choose a heavy or medium-strength rod for a sunfish like crappie, but what’s the best choice?
We recommend ultra-lightweight rods for three reasons:
- Cushioned hooksets – With ultra-lightweight, medium to high-speed action rods, we get a padded hook set to help land those amazing fish. Ultralight rods are a delicate tool that helps prevent the “paper mouse” hooks from breaking, even when built with fast action.
- Sensitivity– The ultra-lightweight rod bends so easily that it is very sensitive to all nibbles, even when moving fast. If the fish are shy, this is a big advantage.
- Fun– I fish for the joy of it, and with an ultra-lightweight tackle any fish will be a whale! If you haven’t tried Ultralight yet, you’ll be amazed at how much fun it is.
With an ultra-lightweight rod, crappie has no problem with fast action. This is because the entire rod is sensitive enough that there is no risk of the action snapping the hook.
Length
This article about common fishing rods, not specific gears for spider rigging. Most rod manufacturers do not manufacture ultra-lightweight or lightweight rods longer than 7 feet.
Generally, the longer the rod, the farther you can cast, but the more inaccurate the cast will be. Short rods are very accurate, but at the expense of casting distance.
Ultralight rods tend to be on the shorter ends, and the reels on which they are designed cannot take many lines. They are not distance demons, but they aim for accuracy and sophistication. If you need to cast to maximum distance, look for a rod close to 7 feet and consider a slightly stiffer ultralight aviation. A stiffer spine and longer length will help you achieve that a little more.
I usually fish crappie with an 8-foot rod. If you don’t know your specific needs, this is probably the best length to start with.
Line and Lure Weight
The best crappie rods are lightweight, flexible, and have a whip-like design. They’re perfect for taking on light lines with tiny lures – look out if you want to use 1/64 ounce all the way up through ¼ of an inch gut-snagging weights! We recommend choosing your rod based on how heavy duty it will be as well as what kind of lure or bait technique that suits most effectively work in conjunction with; whether it is casting versus reel fishing (or both!).
Guides
Big crappies may not be monsters, but the line you fight them with is not a steel chain! With weights in the range of two to six pounds and an excellent guide system for preventing friction during fights with these creatures.
Now, I bet some readers are thinking that big fish can never put your rod’s strength tests; however, even robust chains get bent or broken after being pulled taut by a small amount (think about how hard it is sometimes when casting!). And since low-quality guides often melt under pressure, too much heat makes quick work out there.
Material
Modern fishing rods can be made from a variety of materials such as carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass. Some have composite structures that use multiple materials for the blanks that form the backbone.
- Graphite is strong, hard, and super lightweight. In addition, its high rigidity makes it extremely sensitive, making it ideal for rods and having excellent durability.
- Fiberglass is heavier than graphite and is usually cheaper. It’s not that delicate or stiff, but it can be incredibly strong and you’ll win it in your fishing tackle. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, especially for crappie, as a padded hook set is ideal.
- Carbon fiber is the hardest, strongest, lightest, and most expensive material used for rod blanks. Its performance is unmatched, but so is its price!
Handle
Many of the choices are personal and those that are comfortable to me may be unfortunate for you. In general, there are two main grip materials: cork and EVA foam.
- Cork is warmer and more welcoming, but less likely to be abused.
- EVA foam is a material that feels soft and cool and is quite durable.
Reel Selection
Spinning reels are the most popular type among crappie anglers. While any quality reel will do its job, there is a balance between rod size and line cast that should be considered when selecting one for yourself or your fishing partner to ensure maximum performance
Spinners offer many advantages including easy handling with little chance of fatigue due largely in part because you never have too much weight on either end – even during long casts! They can also help conserve energy by giving off less momentum which would otherwise put unnecessary strain on arms through extended periods.
Our Pick – St. Croix’s Premier Spinning Rod
The competition between these options is as fierce as it gets, and any of these rods will serve you admirably in your search for crappie. In fact, these rods are so closely matched in performance and quality that, aside from grip style and length, you won’t notice a difference in real-world performance.
Our top pick, the fantastic St. Croix Premier Ultralight, is above all else, but its quality and capacity set the standard by which all others should be judged.
Supple, responsive, strong: these are the words that can define premium. And its excellent guide and grip complete a package that is likely to outlast its alternatives. But if you’re looking for a lower cost, check out Bass Pro’s MicroLite, Cabela’s Fish Eagle, and Cadence’s CR5. It’s not a premium option, but it’s an affordable and excellent option.
No matter what you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
