Thread: Can we revisit the rod choice topic?

BnM here. 14ft Capps and Coleman are my choice.

Originally Posted by stlouisloui

Hi All:
I have been pouring through the archives trying to to decide on new rods for spider rigging. For my situation I have decided on 14 footers. I am considering BnM, Ozark, Southern and BPS Crappie Maxx. One important note is that I am a BPS employee, and get 40% off the BPS Crappie Maxx rods. I will be buying 9 rods. Money is an issue, but I'd rather not make an easy mistake. I'd love your input.
Stlouisloui

All of the rods you mentioned would serve you well but it's hard to beat a 40% discount. B & M makes an excellent rod and offer several different actions so you can get the action you prefer. Currently I'm using Southerns for spider rigging and PST's for power trolling but that's just my preference.

Originally Posted by SlabMeister

B & M PST: Power trolling with weights over 1oz and pulling cranks. PSTs are good all around poles and these were the rods that we started out with. If I only had one set of rods it would be PSTs. You can use them for all types of crappie fishing just a little stiff for some situations but they are still a good choice if wanting to have one set of rods for spider rigging and pulling cranks.

B & M BGJP's or Capps and Colemans for spider rigging with jigs or weights less than 1oz. BGJP's are not covered for spider rigging but you can see the lightest bite which is key some days. They are not stiff enough for heavy egg sinkers for power trolling. Capps and Colemans are just a tad stiffer than BGJPs but still great for light weights and detecting a light bite.

B & M BGJP's and Roger Gant's in various lengths for long line trolling.

I have tried a few other makes without problems but for some reason I just seem to stick with B & M's. I like the Sam Heatons for single pole jig fishing. Lots of good rod choices out there but this is just what we have and how we use them. I hear a few people complain about breaking PST tips. We have snagged stumps and had them pulled all the way under the boat so tight that you can barely get them out of the rod holder and have not broke one yet. We bought our first PST's about 7 years ago and they are still going strong. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen but we have been tough on ours and have not had any problems.

Really comes down to personal preference. Good luck with your choice.

Dang. Sounds like a resume for a Pro Staff deal.

I disagree about the C&C rods being stiffer than the BGJP tho.

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Dang. Sounds like a resume for a Pro Staff deal.

I disagree about the C&C rods being stiffer than the BGJP tho.

I find the Caps stiffer than the Buck's

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

I find the Caps stiffer than the Buck's

I didn't see that in mine. I didn't like the parabolic bend in the Capps pole from the handle all the way out to the tip. Made the pole role around when lifting a fish. My BGJP's seem to be stiffer in the spine than my C&C's were because of the bend from the handle in the Capps.

Just got a set of 16' PST's and the Capps tips to put on them. Can't wait to compare them to the BGJP's. Lots of spine in the PST and the sensitivity of the Capps tip on em should be a great combo.

Or just buy a set of Southern Crappie...both companies make fine products..Sometimes I think we fishermen over think things in our quest for excellence. I know I do..

Good point knight shadow. Why buy rods and change the tip? Why have a set for tight line, a set for long line and a set for cranks? Buy one set and do it all Southern Crappie!

There isn't one set of rods that will do everything the best that it can be done. I guess I'd rather be a specialist instead of a general practitioner.