Barry Morrow is famous for jigging. He uses a stiff Todd Huckabee rod and heavy line
to feel more bites and to quickly swing fish into the boat. (Photo by Tim Huffman)
Technique-Specific Rods for Crappie
by Tim Huffman
Choosing the right screwdriver, wrench or other tool is important for doing a job right.
It’s the same way with fishing rods. Any of them can potentially be used for more than one purpose, but most often excel at one method. Choosing the right rod for the job will make it more enjoyable to use and put more fish into the boat.
Is it rod or pole?
The two terms are interchangeable. However, in general, most fishing sticks longer than 10 feet are called poles, as in jigging pole. Those eight feet or less are called rods, as in casting rod.
Slow Trolling (Spider Rigging)
Slow trolling, often called spider rigging, was the number one method for many years but has recently fallen from the spotlight due to forward-facing sonar (FFS). However, it’s still a great method for catching numbers of crappie, along with getting action from other species.
For slow trolling, choose a pole with a soft tip and a medium backbone. The soft tip allows an angler to fish single, lightweight jigs or light weight minnow rigs, and to detect soft bites. The pole is limber, so it requires a quick, firm hookset. Heavy fish must be netted. Pole length varies from 12 to 20 feet, with 14 and 16 feet being the most popular. Today’s fish are spookier, so a longer the pole often produces more crappie. However, the longer the pole the more difficult and wieldy it can be to use.
Many pole companies manufacture crappie rods for slow trolling. One top pick for ultimate sensitivity is the B’n’M BGJP (Buck’s Graphite Jig Pole).
Fishermen often use heavier weights (three-quarter ounce to two ounces) so they can go faster and/or deeper and still keep lines vertical. More weight requires stronger poles. The ACC Crappie Stix Trolling Rod is a good all-around performer and is designed specifically for slow trolling. B’n’M’s Pro Staff Trolling Pole has a strong backbone to handle heavy weights.
Power Trolling
Power Trolling setups looks similar to slow trolling, but power trolling is the steroid version. Speeds are faster and weights are in the 3-ounce range. Poles must be heavy duty. A top pick is B’n’M’s Pow-R-Troller, in 14-, 16- and 18-feet models.
B’n’M Pole Company owner, Jack Wells, says the Pow-R-Troller is about as technique-specific a pole can get.
“We’ve seen a big increase in power trolling the past few years. It’s a technique that covers a lot of water. The boat is moving quickly, there is a lot of weight to keep the baits down, and baits are often in deep water. We needed a much heavier and stronger pole because of the aggressiveness of the technique. Our pole has a collar at the end of the handle to keep it in a holder, plus other special features.”
Long Line Trolling
Long lining, also called fast trolling and pulling, is an easy and fun technique. Baits are jigs, crankbaits or a combination of the two. It’s best when water is above 50 degrees and when crappie are in open water. Fishermen may prefer to use 6- or 8-foot poles spread across the back of the boat, while others use 6-, 10- and 14-foot poles for more line separation. Poles out the side, especially from the front of the boat, can be 8 feet up to 18 for maximum line separation, with long poles getting baits away from the boat.
A top pick is the HH Rods & Reels Hurricane Pulling (Trolling) Rod made specifically for pulling. The pole has many features and comes in lengths 8 through 18 feet. Other good choices include the B’n’M Pro Staff Trolling Rods, 8 through 20 feet. Also, the super-rugged Ugly Stick GX2 Standard in 6-, 7- and 9-footers; and Lew’s Wally Marshall Classic Series with sizes from 6 to 11 feet.
Jigging & Pitching
Jigging poles can be grouped into two categories, limber or stiff. A limber-pole fisherman enjoys several advantages including seeing light bites, using medium to very light line and seeing a huge arc in the pole when setting the hook and battling a fish. This traditional method is a fun way to single-pole fish one-on-one with crappie. A top pick in this group is the Grizzly Elite Jigging Rod in 11- or 12-feet lengths. It provides excellent sensitivity and good performance. Most rod manufacturers have one or more limber pole models.
Stiff poles, matched with strong low-stretch line, provides maximum sensitivity for feeling bites and for a fish to be quickly pulled from cover and swung into the boat.
Todd Huckabee says, “I’ve advocated using a stiff pole for years. A soft pole and line kills the sensitivity. A stiff pole transfers bites to a fisherman’s hand. More bites are felt so more fish are caught. It’s a fact that most fish are lost while trying to net them, so I swing a fish into the boat. I can land a fish before a fisherman can grab a net.”
Two of Power Crappie’s Todd Huckabee series rods designed for jigging and forward-facing sonar, are the K-Rod 16-feet, and the Trident 13-feet, both quality built.
Jigging in open water using FFS is the newest trend and one proven to provide more and bigger fish per hour. A stiff long rod, commonly 12- to 16-feet, is used to drop or pitch a jig in open water. A stiff rod gives better control of the jig and provides an immediate hookup with the fish. Fishermen swing fish into the boat. A few of the many top picks include the Jenko Big-T X-Series 10-, 13- and 15-feet. B’n’M The Stick 13-feet, and their Black Diamond 16- and 18-feet.
Casting/Shooting
Casting has advantages. It’s relatively easy to do, it reaches places a long pole can’t, can be used from a boat or from the bank, and fish are reeled in instead of being lifted into the boat. Rods generally range in length from 5 to 8 feet. Shorter rods provide more accuracy while longer rods give distance. Ultralight and light action rods are great for tiny jigs and other offerings, while a medium-light is best with heavier jigs or weights. Every choice is a compromise and personal preference.
A few picks include the St. Croix Panfish Series in lengths 5.5 to 8 feet; Wally Marshall Speed Shooter 6- and 6.5-foot; ACC Crappie Stix Split Grip 6- and 7.6-feet; Berkley Lightning Rod 5-,6- and 7-feet; B’n’M’s Leland’s TCB 6.5-feet; B’n’M Sam Heaton Super-Sensitive 7-feet; HH Rods Hurricane Dock Shooter and Casting 5.5- 6- and 7-feet.
Shooting rods are basically the same as casting. The rod can be any comfortable length, but most are 5.5- or 6-feet for good control and because shooting positions can sometimes be awkward. The key is to have the right length and action to make good, accurate shots.
Travel & Backpacking
Made specifically for the hiker or traveler, and you can easily keep them in your vehicle, these space-savers allow you to carry them anytime and anywhere. Check out the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning in 6- and 6.5-feet. Also, the Ugly Stick GX2 Travel Spinning rod 6.5-feet.
Final Notes
There are more technique-specific rods including ice fishing rods, super-long (24-feet) finesse rods, and more. If there is a need, there is a pole designed to match any technique.
A fisherman who selects a rod with the right length, flexibility and strength will have good sensitivity to see or feel bites, catch more fish and enjoy using the rod. Today’s rods are better quality with more options to fit every budget.
Senior writer and recent Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame member, Tim Huffman, has a new 2024 book, Papermouth, Modern Fishing Techniques, available in Kindle or paperback at Amazon, or link from his website, www.monstercrappie.com
