12’ Crappie Rod and Reel Advice

I have some spots I want to try and snipe crappies in wood. It’s just not feasible to cast into these spots so I want to try this tactic. Basically, long rod and go vertical in the trees and swing slabs out of there. With the livescope I think I can really target crappies in wood effectively.

Anyone else doing this? Have any recommendations on a 2 piece rod? I know a lot of guys run small bait casters so would take advice on reels, too.

Thanks in advance.

Falcon slab rod. I have 8,10, and 12’. Been very happy with how durable they are. Specifically for what you want. They will get banged around

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/falcon-slab-series-12-0-medium-spinning-rod-sls-12m.html

I have a B&M 12 FT 2 piece. Works slick for dipping . I do find myself getting arm fatigue extending it out and holding it for more than a couple of minutes LOL I started this last year after watching the Extreme Crappie Angler . Its nice to quietly drop a jig into a tight spot . This year maybe change it up with a float , that way it will take pressure off my arm .

Are you both using spinning reels or bait casters? I kinda like the idea of a bait caster to drop the line down with just your thumb.

So here we are in the 21st century and we’re still using “cane poles”.

SR

Matt I use a lot of 1/64 and 1/32 weighted flies. For me, a small 1000size spinning reel works better. The few guys I’ve been out with down south use much heavier jigs and the small bait cast reels work well

The Sams Super Sensitive comes with a tiny reel just to hold the line , also has a groove milled in the cork. You can then pinch the line to the blank to feel the bite .

I have 2 Lew Wally Marshall,(I do believe he is not related to our Dean), 14′ for doing what you want to do.
I run spinning reels on them, size 1000.
I also carry a xl long handle smelt net when planning on using these rods.
I could never really felt comfortable with 14 foot rod and 14 feet of line when landing bigger crappies so I use the smelting net to scoop up the water skiing slabs.

The one I have the most fun with is a 12 ft collapsible pole with eyes and a reel. I think it’s called a zip rod. DK.

Great advice from everyone. I think I’ll get a rod and just use one of my ice spinning reels for now.

Thanks!

Matt, maybe an inline ice reel would drop your jig nicely. Just thinking out loud.

BnM duck commander 12′ 2 piece own 6 basic 2500 shimano reels the $20 type 8lb mono. IF you have never fished with these poles you will be amazed of how many fish you can catch with this type of setup! Most of the time you will actually not reel just lift. Spot lock was a game changer with this setup.

One of the better ones I use is the Shakespeare Crappie Hunter for being light easy to handle and for $29. I have B&M and others which work but are much heavier. Do not use a small reel on that size rod you need some weight on the butt end or your forearm will be getting overly tiered and you will not feel those light bites or add some butt weight to help balance the rod better..

Caught a few nice sunnies very shallow, they were all under the shade of some trees-if your cast was not under the canopy you got nothing-we would have caught a ton with long rods.

A couple years ago I picked up a 10’ med action 2-pc “Whuppin’ Stick” at Cabela’s for about $30; I put one of my ice rod spinning reels on it with 4# mono. I add a split shot and bobber above a small fly or tube jig. Works GREAT around trees that have fallen over along the bank or even sunken timber. You can keep the boat just a little farther away. I do wonder if braid line would be a better choice.

I’m going to run braid as the mainline and then probably a 4-6′ mono leader. We’ll see how that works.

supercat wrote:

BnM duck commander 12′ 2 piece own 6 basic 2500 shimano reels the $20 type 8lb mono. IF you have never fished with these poles you will be amazed of how many fish you can catch with this type of setup! Most of the time you will actually not reel just lift. Spot lock was a game changer with this setup.

Exactly reeling is not practical with these long rods . Precision placement of the lure 12 pus feet away is the benefit , lowering a bait silently into an opening , waiting for the bite and lifting and swinging fish back to the boat . Reeling only when storing rig .

As a result of this discussion I’m going to try one of my 13 freefalls on my 11′ B&M. I wasn’t thrilled with them as ice reels, but perhaps they make a better summer reel for dabbling. Had them for sale briefly, but I’ll see how they work for this.