rod sensitivity

[bfish]

...I'm trying to pin down the specifications of a rod that will detect this bite. The length, IM, brand, etc...

I would look for a spinjig rod in fast to extra fast action. Length is up to you, I like longer for casting distance but shorter for more vertical presentation (and slightly better transmission of vibration and lighter overall weight). For power, I am guessing since you didn't mention jig weight but look at Light, Mag-Light, Medium Light.

In addition to what deathb4disco recommend (good choices), I would also look at StCroix Avid and above series, Falcon, and Fenwick Eagle GT and above series (Fenwicks tend to be a little slower on their ratings, ie extra fast is more like a fast).

[crappiehunterchris]

I have a guy here in paris who makes custom rods out of high grade blanks you pay a little more but the rod he made me weighs 3 .8 ounces 7 ft long and the reel i have on it is a pflueger trion ultralight reel and 4 lb line i can hum a 1/64 of a ounce jig head a good 40 ft just the jig head and lure alone i paid 100 for the rod which for the blank was 65 alone not just the time he put into it so the blank alone costed more than all my combos i have brand new lol i love that rod

[TexExp]

So can a "mushy" or "limber" or "floppy" rod be sensitive? That's one reason I brought this up. I'm feeling the bite better on medium or medium lite rods, not lite rods. This goes against the conventional wisdom of what the rod makers call "crappie rods". Just thinking. Just saying.
fair weather

Yep, me too. I didn't want to take your thread sideways, but that's why I use carbon fiber rods now instead of graphite or glass. They are - very - light weight and super strong. I go against conventional wisdom too I guess. I like a much stiffer rod than most. I don't like whippy rods at all. I agree with you that you feel the bite (and when it is not a bite) better and I have much better control of the fish. I rarely use a net and mostly just swing them in. Too me it's quicker and have less chance of them getting off.

These are crappie from last weekend. The rods in this pict are carbon fiber with a graphite/fiberglass tip. To me it's the best of both worlds. My buddies call them the 'helium' rods. (I also use Josh's carbon fiber rods... but I didn't want to be crucified for saying that.)


Good luck! I've probably been through 20-30 different kind of rods searching for 'just right' for me.

[crappiehunterchris]

Dang good crappie