Crappie Fishing Rods Compared

Why Crappie Fishing Requires Specific Rods

Before we delve into the details of the best crappie rods on the market, you’re probably wondering, what’s so special about crappie fishing rods? Why do they require specific rods for certain applications? How do I choose a rod that better suits my needs?

There are hundreds of thousands of crappies swimming around lakes and streams throughout the U.S. Experienced anglers know that they can be caught year-round. They're always moving in waterways that are about 4-8 feet deep, so trolling is always a fun way to fish for them, but you can drop shoots, jig, or catch them under the ice, too. They're a versatile fish and can be caught in several ways, including casting light jigs, trolling with minnows or artificial lures, using small spinnerbaits, or using bobbers.

An ultralight, fast action rod will have enough flex to catch them without snapping as they tend to stay below 6 lbs. With the right equipment, in-depth knowledge of the crappie's predictable habits, and a little luck, you can hit the jackpot in almost any place and time you fish.

Buying Guide: What Makes A Good Crappie Rod?

Fishing Environment & Water Clarity

Rod Type & Material

Rod Length

Baitcasters tend to be longer, whereas jigging and spinning rods are shorter. If you're looking for a good all-around length, try to get a rod between 8-10 feet long. This may seem large, but some crappie fishing rods will exceed 12 feet. A rod that's a little shorter will give you better control, and it will be a little lighter to hold, too, making it more comfortable to hold for long periods.

Rod Handles

All anglers will agree on the importance of having a handle that's comfortable hanging on to for long periods. Some of the more common handles consist of mainly cork, foam, or a Winn polymer material. The best crappie rods can have split grips, pistol grips, or a full grip. If in doubt, a full handle composed of cork is an excellent option as it will keep your hands cool in Summer, and it's easy to hold in Winter with gloves.

Power Rating

Line & Lure Weight

Here are some of the best crappie lures and baits, and the best lines to use them with.

Guides

Price & Warranty

1. St Croix Panfish 7

2. Lew’s Fishing Wally Marshall

3. Cadence CR5-30

4. B’n’M Duck Commander Ultralite Crappie Spin Rod

When two companies with years of expertise in crappie fishing come together, it’s bound to produce a high-tech technique-specific rod. And that's precisely what happened when the B'n'M Duck Commander spin rod was created. The president of B'n'M Fishing reached out to Duck Commander about "doing a crappie fishing jig pole with them," they agreed, and a killer, ultralight rod was made.

This rod may be short in size, but it doesn't lack in performance. So as long as your catch is below 8 lbs, then you're in the clear. The blank is made of 40-million Modulus IM6 Graphite, so there's no need to worry about strength. And it's paired with a Portuguese cord handle constructed of cork, so your hands will be comfortable all day.

What makes this rod unique is its attention to detail in regards to crappie fishing. Both of these companies put their expertise together when making this rod, and it shows.

For starters, all the rods were marked with bright-chartreuse marks around the rod at 1-foot intervals to help crappie fishers measure exactly how deep they have their bait out. It will also help you know how much line is out. And as it has an ultralight tip, no bite will go unnoticed. You'll be pulling in crappies in no time with this spinning rod.

5. Fenwick HMG 25"

When it comes to crappie fishing under the ice, your typical light and fast trolling rod just won't do. You'll need something with a little more backbone, and that’s durable in all-weather conditions.

The 25”, light in action, Fenwick HMG Ice Fishing Spinning Rod, has tons of features and won’t break the bank. It's hard to find this kind of power in a rod that's shorter than 34 inches long, but this rod has it, and that makes it perfect for seeking out crappies, walleyes, or pike fishes from the comfort of a hole.

Once you unbox your new rod, you'll see a classic design, with beautiful finishing touches. Not only are the guides stainless steel, but they have a beautiful black finish with aluminum oxide inserts for more practicality. The blank doesn't look cheap and is made with high modulus graphite. Its tapered construction is impeccable, and it comes with more moderate action to better suit ice fishing.

It's important when ice fishing that your rod has a good handle, and the HMG model fits the bill. It features a AAA cork handle that's full-grip and is very comfortable even with gloves on. You'll never love your grip when you're fishing for crappie fish.

6. Lew’s Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Daddy

Trolling for crappies is a fast pace, high energy form of fishing, with Mr. Crappie Slab Daddy 2-piece, your boating adventure will go by without a breeze. This 10’ Slab Daddy Fiberglass Spinning Rod is approved by Wally Marshall for its crappie specific action. This rod has exceptional performance and the ability to bring in plenty of fish, especially when trolling.

Just like the B'n'M Duck Commander rod, this lightweight and durable rod comes with some state of the art features. One of those features is its unique rod length label indicator. This helps anglers know exactly how much bend is being flexed and how much line is out when you're casting.

It's travel-friendly as it comes in a 2-piece, and you can use it all day as it features EVA foam handle grips. Getting some splashback of seawater won't be a problem on your guides as they're constructed of stainless steel. And it's backed by Mr. Crappie's limited one-year warranty. The list of pros is endless, but one thing that could be worked on is its reel mount. Unless you get a perfectly matched reel, it could be mounted out of line with the guides.

7. Lew’s Mr. Crappie SS Custom

A crappie rod between 8-10 feet is a great choice for beginner anglers, whereas 10-12 feet is perfect for more experienced fishers. This puts the Lew's Mr. Crappie SS Custom 10-foot spinning rod right at the sweet spot and will suit a range of anglers.

This black and neon green crappie rod is constructed of premium high modulus graphite and is only available in a 2-piece blank. It makes it a great travel companion as it’s very portable.

This is another model that Wally Marshall approved as a technique-specific rod specifically for crappie fishing, so those small touches are prominent throughout its design. It has a rod length indicator along with stainless steel guides. The handle may not be as comfortable as some of its competitors as its constructed of EVA foam. Still, it's a good-quality material for a rod that performs exceptionally and at a reasonable price.

The Lew’s brand thought of everything when designing this light action crappie rod. You can even buy additional tips so you can have peace of mind on the water. You’ll be casting long distances and pulling in 4-pound crappies in a hurry with this rod.

8. Jenko Cypress Creek Crappie Rod

The last rod on our list is the Jenko Cypress Creek Crappie rod that’s not only perfect for jigging but also great for pulling or pushing crankbaits or spinners. This fiberglass rod brings quality and affordability together and wraps them into one neat package. You won’t want to jig for crappies again without it.

The Cypress Creek Crappie Rod is available in four sizes, 8', 10', 12', and 14' Models. Most come in a 2-piece design, whereas the 14' model comes in a 3-piece design. They all weigh very little, and their components are all the same, so you can choose your ideal size, and you should still expect a top-quality crappie rod.

This rod is finished with EVA foam handles, stainless steel guides, ceramic inserts, and a chartreuse-colored high visibility tip. The only downside is the action rating. It's marked at medium action, and usually, crappie rods perform better when they are light and fast. But, this model didn't disappoint us when jigging, and we were pretty impressed with its sensitivity when we were out by the water.

How To Set Up A Fishing Rod For Crappie

Crappie Fishing Tips For Beginners

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What are the best crappie fishing rod brands?

What is spider rigging?

Spider rigging allows anglers to cover a lot of water while fishing with multiple rods. A typical setup involves six to eight rods spread evenly across the bow of the boat. These rods will need to be able to sit comfortably in a crappie rod holder.

Are all crappie rods the same?

What does dock shooting mean?

Dock shooting was created by "Mr. Crappie" himself, Wally Marshall. It's used to target fish under docks in cool weather. You're basically turning your spinning rod into a bow to shoot a crappie jig up under the decking of residential docks. It's become trendy amongst anglers for its positive returns.

Are there any special care and maintenance steps for crappie rods?

If you’re hoping to keep your crappie fishing rod for as long as possible, then washing and storing your new piece of equipment is essential. Wash your rod down with some warm, freshwater, and pay special attention to the guides. You can use some light reel grease on the rod guides to prevent corrosion. When you’re doing this, be sure to check that all guides aren’t damaged. Damaged or cracked guides will cause your fishing line to break.

Where is the best place to find a quality crappie fishing rod?

From crappie rods, rod holders, lines and lures, you can buy all you need and more impulse purchases right off Amazon. On the site, you'll have the chance to read other reviews from anglers using the product, and there's a lot of good advice that can be found there, too. If you live close to a fish and tackle shop, you could also check which models they have in stock.

Conclusion