In short, unless you’re fishing on a lake with only Crappie in, the best rod is a versatile one that can cope with Bass too. We recommend the St. Croix Panfish Series Spinning Rod.

There are plenty of great fishing rods out there but if you don’t know how to select the right rod for your target species a good rod will perform badly. A good rod for trawling in the ocean for big game species will not be any good for spinning for bass, just as a bass spinning rod will not be any good for trawling for big game fish. It is extremely important that you choose the right tool for the job and make sure you have the right setup for your target species. In this article, we will help you understand what the perfect rod is for targeting crappie so you get the most out of your kit and ultimately don’t waste any money on a rod that isn’t up to the job.

What are Crappie Fish?

Crappie is a species of fish in the sunfish family that resides in the freshwaters of North America. They are an extremely popular panfish that makes for excellent eating, so they are sought after not for their hard-fight or good sport but for their tasty meat. Crappie are relatively small fish and do not often exceed 4lb however the biggest catch on record weighed just over 6lb.

The crappie spawn between the months of May and June with each female laying up to 60,000 eggs! Eggs hatch in 2 to 5 days and quickly transform into adults, which makes this species a hazard to small waterways with limited predators around. They can quickly over-populate a water which can eventually lead to oxygen depletion and water-quality issues. This breeding pattern and their invasive qualities make them the perfect fish to sustainably catch and eat.

You will find crappie in bodies of inland freshwater with plenty of marginal cover, weed, and reed growth. They like to reside around underwater features like rocks, underwater brush, and weed, so if you are targeting them it is best to stalk around feature-filled areas of water. These fish have a varied diet and are more opportunists than predators. They feed on smaller fish species and fry, but they also eat crustaceans, larvae, insects, and algae.

Overall, crappie is an excellent tasting fish with some anglers giving them the badge of “the best-tasting fish in freshwater”. They are relatively easy to catch, there is plenty of them around, and they put up a good fight for being such a small fish. If you are looking to get into crappie fishing check to make sure you live in an area where they are present in the waterways and hunt for a fishing spot where there is plenty of underwater features and bankside vegetation.

What are the Features of a Rod for Targeting Crappie?

Finding a good crappie rod does not have to be difficult and if you know what to look for you will find plenty of well-made rods on the market that are suited to targeting crappie on the market. You want to look for an ultralight to light spinning rod that is no more than 9-foot long. This size and weight of the rod will give you the best ability when fighting the small crappie, and the lighter action will provide a lot more fun when playing the fish. A short rod between 5 and 9-foot allows you to trudge under bankside trees and vegetation to cast accurately in tight spaces to the snaggy features that crappie love.

The most common methods of catching crappie are spinning, jigging, and float fishing so it is important that you find an ultralight set up with enough power to cast light tackle to difficult to reach features to pick up a bite. An ultralight – light rod must be matched with a small reel and line that is no bigger than 6lb breaking strain. A balanced lightweight setup like this will give you the best chance of hooking up to a crappie as you will have the ability to accurately cast light tackle, hit features accurately, and play fish well enough to get them to the bank without snagging.

With these points in mind, let us take a look at the best rods for crappie fishing. We have one for the budget angler, the perfect rod and reel combo, and a good all-rounder that is perfect for crappie, bass, and other small – medium freshwater species.

Best Rod for Crappie Fishing on a Budget

Lew’s Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Daddy 

Overview

The Mr. Crappy rod is a 2-piece fiberglass panfishing rod specifically designed for targeting pan and sunfish. It has a crappie specific action and is a lightweight rod. It comes in 9-foot, 10 foot, and 12-foot variants all of with have a light through action. The most versatile length is the 9-foot, however, if you are only targeting large waters where long-distance casting is needed then the longer lengths may be the best decision for you.

This rod has ergonomic EVA handles that give a firm and comfortable grip when casting and playing hard-fighting fish, stainless steel hook keepers for secure line placement when walking the banks. The eyelets (line guides) are stainless steel with aluminum oxide inserts that provide smooth line movement when casting and reeling in line. This rod is perfect for the angler on a budget that wants a rod primarily for small freshwater panfish and it offers great value for money.

Pros

• Well-designed specifically for crappie
• Comfortable grips
• Excellent value for money

Cons

• Not the prettiest of rods

Bottom Line

Overall, this rod is made from high-quality materials and constructed well. It isn’t the prettiest of fishing rods, but it is highly functional, durable, and versatile (in the 9-foot length). If you are looking for a crappie rod to add to your collection and you don’t want to break the bank, this is a great option for you.

Best Rod and Reel Combo for Crappie

BnM Bucks Graphite Ultralight Spinning Combo 

Overview

The BnM Bucks Graphite Ultralight Spinning Combo is a rod and reel set that is perfect for crappie fishing but also small bass and trout as well. The 6-foot rod is beautifully crafted, has an ultralight action, and comes complete with a split cork handle. The reel is a BM100 Buck reel with 3-ball bearings, instant anti-reverse, and a front drag adjustment. The reel is perfectly suited for the rod to create a balanced setup which gives you ultimate performance whether drop-shotting, jigging, spinning, or float fishing for crappie.

This setup does come complete with monofilament mainline however it is a poor quality line that is a bit too thick for targeting crappie. We recommend re-spooling the reel with a higher-quality monofilament line between 2 and 6lb breaking strain. As a whole, this setup is brilliant for targeting crappie. The rod feels fantastic in your hands and it feels like it is worth a lot more than it costs. The reel doesn’t have the same quality that the rod does, but it functions perfectly for targeting small pan/sunfish, bass, and other small species of fish.

Pros

• Rod is beautifully crafted
• Great value for money
• Stunning cork split handle
• Perfect for the beginner and experienced angler
• Short length makes it perfect for stalking fish under trees and bankside vegetation

Cons

• The line that comes with the combo is useless for crappie
• The reel does feel like it is made from cheaper materials, but it functions well

Bottom Line

Overall, this combo offers excellent value for money and provides everything you need (other than appropriate mainline) to get started in the world of crappie fishing. This is the perfect complete combo for the beginner, angler on a budget, and the experienced angler that wants to add a crappie setup to their collection.

Best All-Rounder for Crappie and Bass Fishing

St Croix Panfish Series Spinning Rod 

Overview

The St Croix Panfish Series is a high-quality lightweight spinning rod that is designed with panfish and sunfish in mind. The blank is crafted from a dynamic blend of SCVI and SCII Graphite which gives the highest strength and performance. This is a rod for the serious angler that wants a high-quality article for targeting a range of smaller fish species from crappie to bass. This rod comes in a range of sizes from 6-foot to 8-foot with a wide choice of weights and actions as well. Weights and actions available: Ultralightweight – fast action, lightweight – fast action, lightweight – extra-fast action, lightweight – moderate-fast action.

The materials used in this rod are of premium quality and the manufacturing processes have been refined to create a top-quality product. These rods are coated in a fortified super resin and computer-controlled ovens regulate even curing of the rod to create a blank that is 33% stronger than rods from other manufacturers. It comes with a beautiful full cork handle with an XMS split style reel seat that is crafted for sensitivity and long-lasting comfort. The combination of high-quality materials and top-class manufacturing techniques come together to create a rod that is ultralight, extra strong, and highly functional.

Pros

• Built with leading manufacturing techniques
• Crafted using the highest quality materials
• Designed specifically for panfish
• Stunning ergonomic cork handle
• Sensitive reel seat for the best bite detection
• Comes in a range of sizes and weights for the needs of every angler

Cons

• A bit on the pricey side for the beginner or casual fisherman

Bottom Line

Overall, this rod is the best of the best when it comes to rods specifically designed for crappie. If you are the serious angler that is looking to step up the game when it comes to panfish and small fish species, then this is the rod for you. Its lightweight design, manufacturing techniques, and high-quality materials make it both highly-functional and super-strong.

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