I don't crappie fish a lot myself either. Even though I have fished for them "some" for 25 years. I mostly am a bass fisherman. What I have found is that most "real" crappie fisherman have the right setup. The right rods and holders for the techniques they are doing. Ex...proper spider rigs for tight lining is a good example. I use the 7' rods that I have and have not purchased the 10-14' proper rods for the technique. However, I have found that if you get the speed right and proper depth you will still catch fish. If you get the "right" setup, you will catch more fish.