Many years ago, I used any med action sized rod—6 ft or 7ft , very first 10’ rod was a couple of west bend plain Jane crappie rods I bought fishing Lake Weise Alabama maybe 25 yrs ago. I started long lining jigs and still do. Actually any decient Rod will troll crankbaits from 5’ up. Past 3 yrs been using Southern Pro Crappie Rods, made of Kevlar, very light weight and strong as all get out and have never broke one yet as much as I abuse them and have caught a couple of 30-35lb flat head cats even on them on crankbaits. I have 1-143 T model , 2-122T models, 1-10’ and 1 - 8, also use Okuma DX 20 line counter reels. For the wife, as she sometimes fishes at the back of the boat, 3- red cherry Berkeley’s med action from Walmart, with Shakespeare line counter reels and have also used other brands before. Anything will work as have also used ugly sticks. Tons of good rods out there to use.
Kevlar Fishing Rods in Concord, NC

a reall good good reasonably priced line counter reel is the Shakespeare ATS trolling reel and 15-20 bucks cheaper than the Okuma. SHAKESPEARE ATS TROLLING REEL - Northwoods Wholesale Outlet

I load all my reels with 10lb yellow power pro braid, a few have 20lb, the 10 tho will get a bait alittle deeper. I started with Bandit 200s yrs ago, then everybody went to the 300s, less line out, and they went deeper, then the Arkies, and now the PICO’s, I find the PICOs will run a foot deeper than any and any good crankbait will work tho as you just have to get it to the fish at the right depth and speed. I must have over 200 crankbaits in the boat in my collection. Today, speed was 1.7 to 1.9 mph, early spring when the water is 50 degrees or colder, 1.2 to 1.4 mph. I have ran as fast as 2.2 mph. You just have to play with speed to see what they want and will hit. Average is 1.6 mph starting out. Run the baits above the crappies at least a foot if your seeing them on the electronics. Today, I was seeing a few schools of crappies on the 360 on one depth finder and backed up by another depth finder seeing same fish on SI, DI, and 2d split screen. Didn’t run a map too much as I have most of Patoka memorized and would just occassionally glance at it knowing that creek channels, points, humps, were located as well as stands of timber even tho everything is covered by 11.4 ft more water than normal. I also have a copy of paper map at my feet, “Hot Maps” of every lake I fish.

The “Holy Grail” of crank baiting is the best learning tool and take the time to read it as I have read it at least 3 times and keep up with the postings for kicks, is: https://www.crappie.com/crappie/miss...-cranks-101-a/ and it will answer all your questions and teach you everything about cranking. Do read it no matter how long it takes you. We can never quit learning! Hope this helps you!