One of the great things about crappie fishing is that you can catch them with just about any gear from an old cane pole, to a high tech composite rod.  Choosing crappie-fishing gear can be like picking out a new car, there are many choices to consider.  Some people have a preference for a brand name, for some it may be price or performance.  Talk to local anglers in your area, ask them what kind of gear they use, or suggest for local conditions.  Ask them why they prefer a particular brand, type or model.  Hopefully you will get several differing opinions, then you can decide which options or features you want before you buy your own gear.  The most important point I can make here is this; when you buy a car, you make the decision based on your budget, personal taste, wants and needs.  Your fishing gear should be the very same way. Buy the best you can afford to suit your individual preferences or needs, but buy it because it will work best for you.

Spinning rods and reels are the most common, and work well for crappie fishing.  They handle light line and allow you to cast a small jig further. Here are my recommendations and information on gear that works well for crappie and other pan fish.

Rods;

Spinning rods average from five to seven feet long, they vary in stiffness or action.  Pick up the rod at the handle and shake it, then stop quickly.  Notice the tip of the rod, does it wiggle on it’s own for a while or does it just stop?  That’s how you determine how stiff a rod is, how does it feel to you?  Try several rods until you find one that you like. There are solid one-piece rods, or two-piece rods that you can take apart for storage and travel.  A six-foot rod is a good average length for most anglers.  I would consider buying a shorter rod for a young angler because it would be a little easier for them to handle.

Reels;

The more features on a spinning reel, the higher the price.   Some have triggers to trip the bail or make it easier to cast, some have multiple ball bearings for better performance and smoother operation, rear drag or front drag, most will allow you to easily change the reel handle for left hand to right hand retrieve.  For crappie fishing, any small spinning reel works nicely, but one important feature I look for is an extra or spare spool.  This gives you an option to use a different line size or type on each spool for quick and easy change on the water.  For an example, you could put light weight line on one spool, for clear water conditions, or when you need to use smaller baits for extra finicky fish.  Then you could put heavier line on the other spool, to use in heavier cover, etc.

Line;

Always buy the best line you can afford to use, not only will it give you better performance it is the only link between you and the fish of a lifetime.  There are many types of line available and new ones coming out each year.  I spent most of my life using hi-visibility monofilament line and I have caught lots and lots of fish.  I firmly believe in the hi-visibility lines because I am a line watcher and I am able to see bites I would have otherwise missed with clear or camouflaged line.  The most common line sizes are four, six, and eight pound test.  Six pound test line is my choice for “all around” monofilament line.

The last few years I have started using some of the new “super lines.”  These lines are made from various materials and have different handling characteristics.  Most importantly, is the fact they have low or no stretch, they are supersensitive, and are a small diameter line with the strength of much heavier line.

Conclusion;

I hope this article will help you pick out the right gear for yourself or anybody else that is interested in crappie fishing.   I invite you to email me with any questions or comments at mike@crappiemagic.com

Be sure to check out our web site at http://crappiemagic.com for more tips, techniques, and articles on crappie fishing.