Whuppin’ Stick Crappie Rods or Zebco Slab Seekers

Anyone have any experience with these rods? I have a regular Whuppin’ Stick that I use for live bait under bobbers for Northerns, and I’m very pleased with it. Now I’m looking at the 12′ Crappie rod as well. I would use it mostly for vertical jigging out away from a dam wall, meaning I will be standing on the wall jigging outward, for perch and walleye. All the reviews on Cabelas’ website were positive, but I just wanted to see if anyone has some first hand experience. At under $30 with shipping and a ten year waranty, it seems like a can’t miss deal. Thanks in advance for any input.

EDIT: I just found the Zebco Slab Seeker Rods online for under $20. Anyone have any input on them?

One thing about it: good luck breakin that rod. They do practice what they preach in that respect.

You’re going to have the sensitivity with this rod that you would with other rods like a nice St Croix or something like that, but it will serve its purpose in getting away from the dam wall and dipping those jigs. I know this is apples and oranges, but my dad just bought a cheapie Ugly Stik/reel combo for crappies, and it’s just the 5′ model. But I was real impressed the past couple of days at how far it whipped those jigs away from the boat.

I guess my conclusion would be for that price, it’s hard to go wrong with it to serve the specific purpose you’re asking about, if that’s the price range you’re sticking to. I say add it to your arsenal.

Also, I do use a Slab Seeker reel, which I know is not what you’re asking about, but I thought I would give a little info on it, if anyone is interested. Once again, they’re a tool that serves a specific purpose, and they do it well. They do not work well for casting, so don’t on doing that with them, but they do work great at vertical jigging at a specific depth for crappies, which is what they’re really designed to do. If the rods work as well as the reels, they’re worth the cheap investment.

Check the weight of the rod – I have models from 3 different companies – they vary in weight by several ounces – and I always use the lightest one if I’m going to fish for more that an hour or two. When part of the rod extends more than ten feet from where you hold the rod, it makes a huge difference. The lighest – my favorite – is an old Cabelas European match rod. It has handled fish up to 12 lbs. very well with 4 lb. test line.