I like 7ft rod with 4-6lb test. I like the longer rod because it allows me to get farther casts, especially when I am fish from bank. like the others, I like 1/16th jigs or smaller. you can very the fall of your jig by changing the size, or style of your plastic. straighter plastics like mighty mites and bobby garland type plastics will fall a little faster than say curly tails or paddle tail swim baits. as far as what to cast to, I cast to anything you see in the water. a small branch in the water can hold just as good of crappie as a hole tree. I think that is because they are targeted less by most anglers.