Crappie rods are fishing poles designed specifically for catching a freshwater fish that originates from North America, the crappie. The best crappie rods are lightweight and durable. More often than not, you’ll find rods used by seasoned anglers to fish other small species apart from crappie. The difference between a fishing pole for crappie and all other kinds of rods is its length.
Longer fishing poles offer anglers the unique advantage of speaking up on fish. Take note: highly specialized skills like crappie fishing require specialized tools. The fishing season is quickly approaching, which means crappie fishermen are now looking into finding the best one for their hobby.
We’ll help you find some of the best rods for crappie fishing and provide you with the essential information you need to know to enjoy success in fishing.
We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you when you buy through links on our website.
Learn more about our Amazon affiliate program
Best Crappie Fishing Rods
We’ve tested a number of rods suitable for crappie fishing and listed the top rods we know will make your next fishing trip a lot more memorable.
1. St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod
Most anglers already know about the reputable brand, St. Croix. And, the St. Croix Premier Rod is often what comes to mind for crappie fishing enthusiasts when discussing crappie fishing rods.
Designed to offer nothing but the bests service, this spinning rod isn’t only loaded with the best rod features, it’s also stronger than the majority of its competition.
Featuring lightweight and durable SCII carbon construction paired with a Fortified Resin system for unparalleled strength and 3D Kigan Master Hand guides with strong aluminum-oxide rings, the crappie fishing rod can handle just about anything that more expensive custom sticks would.
It has St. Croix’s advanced Integrated Poly Curve IPC technology, which is necessary for eliminating the dead zones in a blank while offering clean casts every single time. Its action has been finely tuned. The fishing rod is the best choice if you’re willing to spend more on the best gear.
2. Cadence CR7 Spinning Rod
Some of the rods are made of premium graphite. The Cadence CR7 is made of sensitive, lightweight, and incredibly strong 40-ton graphite. To enhance the rod’s sensitivity further is a Fuji reel set. An exposed blank on a skeletal reel seat gives excellent sensitivity. It’s also very comfortable as it offers an area for your palm to rest.
The best spinning rods for crappie also have quality guides. The Cadence CR7 isn’t an exception. Its guide frames are made of stainless steel and it sports the forward spot design in order to minimize tangles whenever a braid fishing line is used.
The guide rings were created out of smooth material with hardness nearing that of diamonds, referred to as the silicon carbide or SIC. This means the guides are able to hold up to tough braided lines.
Rounding out the list of impressive features of the Cadence CR7 are comfortable grips which were made from premium-grade EVA and cork. It also has a hook keeper with the drop shot style that doesn’t just allow the stashing of normal hooks, but drop shot sinkers as well.
3. Berkley C-Series Pro Rod
The Berkley C-Series Pro is specifically designed for spider rigging and jigging techniques used to fish for crappie. The rod has a carbon fiber tip and blank for added sensitivity and durability. This also allows an angler to have a quicker reaction time even with light bites.
We found the Berkley C-Series Pro to be one of the good ones as it has 24-ton graphite and carbon fiber construction that creates a sensitive and lightweight blank.
Its handle is made of EVA foam, ergonomically designed for less fatigue and more control. As for its guides, they’re made of durable titanium oxide for some of the highest weight to strength ratio.
This crappie spinner has been given HVC technology from Berkley which allows you to have visual control of the wiring along with the blank even when it’s dark. The price of the Berkley C-Series Pro is lower compared to that of analogs produced by other manufacturers.
4. Lew’s Mr. Crappie Rod Custom Troller Crappie Rod
The Lew’s Mr. Crappie Rod is one that appeals to both amateurs and professionals. The graphite construction of the rod blanks offers strength, sensitivity, and flexibility.
Graphite blanks are known to be more sensitive compared to other ones made of other materials. Another great feature of the rod is the dual bearing crappie reel which ensures smooth movement with no breaks and maximum protection from erosion.
For the perfect fish lines, its stainless-steel guides do their job flawlessly. In addition, the aluminum oxide inserts give added strength to the rod. As for the grip, the EVA foam handles provide a comfortable and strong grip on the rod.
The reason why it’s landed a spot on our list of the top crappie rods, however, is its performance. Anglers are able to use this rod for different fishing techniques. Also, its sensitivity is what’s required in detecting small size crappie. The highly sensitive blanks made of graphite are simply perfect to sense the movement of bait on water.
5. B’n’M Duck Commander 2-Piece Crappie Spin Rod
With almost a century of being in the business of producing quality fishing gear, B”˜n’M has successfully mastered its fishing rods. The B’n’M Duck Commander isn’t only one of your best options if you’re looking for a cheap product, it’s also one that offers quality and precision.
Made of high modulus IM-6 graphite, this crappie rod is incredibly thin and portable. It’s recognizable from its handle made of genuine Portuguese cork for a strong grip. The handle effectively channels vibration better than the alternative.
For its stainless-steel guides, you’ll be pleased to know it’s sufficient in withstanding corrosion and extreme stresses. Its balance and action are just right for fun and successful crappie fishing.
This rod is relatively short so it’s best to use for boat fishing instead of long casting. However, as soon as you get fish hooked, you’ll have an easy fight. This rod has a lot of flex, which means crappie can’t yank out from the hook easily.
6. Zebco Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
The Zebco ”ŽCRFUL802L is a spinning fishing rod and reel combo that’s lightweight and designed to handle various species of fish. The flexible rod has a sturdy reel that has metal gears instead of plastic.
This crappie rod can also be used for bass fishing, so it’s a great choice if you’re on the lookout for versatile fishing gear.
It’s also a good choice if you’re left-handed as its EVA foam handle and reel are both reversible. There’s no need for you to hold your fishing rod using your off-hand during retrieves.
Other notable features of this rod-reel combo for crappie fishing include durable fiberglass blank, ball bearing drive, chrome-plated spool, QuickSet anti-reverse, and a front-adjustable drag.
7. Zebco Crappie Fighter Spin Combo
This rod dedicated to crappie lovers is of top quality. It’s also suitable for other small to medium size freshwater species.
With a ten-inch ruler that’s printed directly on its blank to offer more rod control paired with an ultrahigh visibility tip to help spot trap and set your hook quickly, it’s definitely worth taking into consideration.
If you’re on a tight budget and you want well-performing gear for crappie fishing, it’s a good choice as it already comes with a reel as well. The only issue we have with this product is its length which is shorter, and not ideal for slow-action fishing. Still, it’s good for casting at low distances.
If you have a low budget, it’s one of your best options as it’s comfortable when held. Just don’t expect it to last a long time and withstand years of abuse.
8. Lew’s MR Crappie Slab Shaker Combo
Last on our list of the top crappie rods is Lew’s Slab Shaker Combo. It’s a dedicated fishing rod for crappie as it’s portable and lightweight.
At only five and a half feet long, it’s not ideal for making long casts. It’s, however, good enough for crapping fishing on a boat. This means short casting is quite easy with the MR Crappie SS7556-2.
As for its reel, it comes pre-loaded with a 4-lb line. This is just enough for small species. It’s a good fishing rod and reel combo if you are a beginner or just starting out with crappie fishing. However, you would want to have the more durable rod eventually as you master the technique.
How to Pick the Best Crappie Rods
As you may know already, crappie fishing isn’t quite the same as other kinds of fishing applications. In order to succeed, you’ll need a lightweight crappie rod with a pole that’s longer than the regular ones so you’ll be able to sneak up on fish. The best crappie rods are sensitive as crappie fish are smaller.
That being said, here are the crucial factors you need to take into account to make a selection from reliable, high-end rods the market has to offer.
Material
The material that’s used in making a fishing pole will determine its weight and sensitivity.
The most common materials that are used in the production of the best crappie poles are as follows:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass rods offer the advantage of being durable. As a matter of fact, fiberglass rivals other materials such as graphite in terms of a rod’s lifespan. Another advantage that the material offers is its rigidity.
It can withstand abuse while being portable. If you’ll be fishing in several different locations, you’ll want to consider getting a fiberglass rod as it’s able to withstand traveling’s hustle and bustle.
Graphite
It makes for some of the most lightweight and possibly the best rods sold on the market nowadays. Graphite isn’t just extremely and impressively lightweight, it’s also durable.
This is why it’s a favorite among manufacturers to create fishing rods. Additionally, graphite is very sensitive so it helps anglers feel even the slightest nibbles of fish.
Carbon Fiber
Best rods for crappie fishing can also be made of carbon fiber as the material is tough. It’s a material that offers a fishing pole with incredible fish-fighting power. There’s one issue, however, and that it’s not as rigid as other materials.
You’ll need to apply your own techniques on crappie fishing in order to get the fishing line and the lure to move exactly how you want them. Other than that, carbon fiber is dependable and it’s also durable and lightweight.
Power
Crappie fish are generally small up to eight inches long; however, the majority is only four inches. you won’t need a fishing rod that has power.
It’s because the higher a rod’s power is, the lower its sensitivity. This can be problematic whenever you’re angling for smaller species. The ideal fishing pole for crappie is one that’s light or ultralight. It can easily bend from the slightest pressure.
Action
Whenever we talk about the action of a fishing pole, specifically the action of the best crappie fishing rods, we’re speaking about the speed of a rod’s tip coming back to a straight position as soon as a pole is flexed.
Here are the three main kinds of action:
- Slow
- Medium
- Fast
With rods, you would want slow action even when you lose some sensitivity. This is because a slow-action rod tends to absorb lots of the shock which comes from an angler pulling the rod.
It means it’s less likely for you to rip the hook out of the mouth of a crappie when you pull it out. The perfect action and power combination for small, delicate crappie is slow action and ultralight, medium-light or light power.
Length
A fishing pole’s length often determines how good you’re able to sneak up on the fish you’re hunting. Crappie is small and skittish so they like hiding under debris and rocks in shallow waters. You’ll need a fishing pole that’s extra-long if you’re to succeed on crappie fishing.
That being said, your fishing pole’s ideal length will come down to your personal preference. There are a couple of crappie fishing poles that measure up to sixteen feet.
It’s currently the longest that’s available for purchase. However, on average, the best crappie rods measure around 10 feet.
Weight of Line and Lure
As crappie fishing rods are ultralight, you’ll need to match the poles with lightweight fishing lines and rods. Lures should be light enough so you don’t tear the mouth of the crappie as you exert pressure.
Guide
The best crappie fishing pole has guides, which are the rings that are found along a pole to keep the fishing line in place.
The guides, in most cases, are made of stainless steel. This is because it’s a durable and lightweight material.
Handle
Fishing is something that takes up hours at a time. So, it’s not unusual for avid anglers to spend up to eight hours on the water trying to land the perfect catch.
So, a rod that’s added with a comfortable handle is necessary. The best spinning rod for crappie or any type of rod has a padded or cushioned handle for extra comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the right way to use a crappie fishing rod?
As you’d expect, there are different techniques for crappie fishing. There are also different techniques that pair well with certain rods.
There are anglers that prefer casting past a target and then retrieving the jig slowly for triggering a strike. Others also like vertically presenting the jig and then sitting until it can elicit a strike.
Are all the crappie fishing rods the same?
The best crappie rods tend to differ from each other. There are those that are longer while others have a carbon fiber, graphite, or fiberglass material construction.
The features of a crappie rod also have an impact on the price. A crappie rod that’s made out of solid graphite is a lot more popular among anglers as it’s durable, lightweight, and a lot more comfortable to use even when the handle is wet.
Are the best rods for crappie easy to use?
Yes, they are quite easy to use. Just learn how you can use a crappie fishing rod efficiently, and the proper way for fishing crappie.
What is the ideal rod length for beginners on crappie fishing?
The best fishing rod for crappie fishing amateurs has a length anywhere between 8 to 10 feet. It should be sufficient for beginners.
This range of rod length will allow you to cast, jig, and practice different crappie fishing techniques prior to setting on a particular one that works best, depending on your needs and preferences.
What should be the fishing line for crappie fishing?
With crappie fishing, choose a light two- to six-pound line. But, there are some crappie anglers that prefer heavier lines even up to twenty pounds.
The standard fishing line of crappie has always been monofilament, but anglers have started to use braided lines lately. It doesn’t have strength, which helps with fishing for crappie vertically in deeper water.
Braided lines also have less memory compared to mono and a smaller diameter, contributing to an increased throwing range.
Where can I use the best crappie rods?
If you’ll try to catch crappies, you have to know that they move throughout the year as water temperature fluctuates and as the season for spawning comes and goes.
Crappie have important habitat requirements which remain unchanged throughout the years. The species love underwater features like cairns, weed beds, and fallen trees. They’re the best places where you can test out your crappie rod. They float below, around, and above their favorite spots.
Crappies also like deeper waters when it’s not the spawning season. This is when it’s harder for you to find them. They are typically 10 to 15 ft deep underwater.
The deeper waters have a constant temperature as opposed to the shallow waters, making the former more capable of providing crappie with suitable living conditions.
Conclusion
There are a lot of reasons why you would want to fish crappie, and this includes the fact that it’s a delicious freshwater fish.
Many anglers love catching fish. If you have never caught one in the past, we’re absolutely sure you’ll enjoy it as much as we did. just don’t forget to bring one of the best crappie rods.
Our top choice is the St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod. It makes long casts and offers long-lasting performance for various fishing applications from being a universal rod. You’ll get good value for your hard-earned money and a reliable companion on several fishing trips.
Leave a Reply