Help: Casting jigs for crappie

[CatFan]

livemusic. One quick comment . The lighter the line the better it will cast. I use Pfluger Presidents. I believe they are 6920. (-A 6940 is better suited for bass fishing).I like the Berkley Cherrywood Hd, 5 and one half feet(Grizzly Jig Co.). They do a good job and shoot docks well. I use Vicious Panfish 2 pound test(tougest line I have used) hi- visibility.I cast 1/32 and 1/16 crappie gigs, These are not the only combinations out there .Some cheaper reels can be just as good The line is the secret, liter line =longer cast, Hope you have good luck and a lot of fun.....crappie1133

I've had people laugh at 2lb test line, but it sure casts nice. I use 2 or 4 for casting and then 6 or 8 for other methods of fishing. Rarely break off a fish if you just pay attention to the condition of the line.

[crappie1133]

I've had people laugh at 2lb test line, but it sure casts nice. I use 2 or 4 for casting and then 6 or 8 for other methods of fishing. Rarely break off a fish if you just pay attention to the condition of the line.

Catfan, Thanks for the backup. It's hard to break 2 pound test if the drag is set properly. I have caught some big cats using small diameter line. It cast great and is more than adequate to do the job. Thanks again.....crappie1133

[Crestliner08]

My favorite rods for casting light jigs are the B n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive (SHSS) in the 7' length. These rods a tad step up from UL, yet more sensitive than most light action rods. And plenty of backbone to handle any fish. I like them with either a Shimano Symetre or a Pflueger President 6920. This rod and the President will set you back less than $100.00. Very cost effective.

I fill this with 2# test Fireline Crystal and attach a 4' length of 4# test fluorocarbon leader with an Alberto knot. I can cast 1/16 oz. jigs quite a distance, and very easily with this combo. Yet it's strong enough for 1/8 oz. and can cast 1/32 oz. jigs as well, only not as far as the 1/16 oz..

I've caught bass up 3 lbs. and northern pike up to 5 lbs. on this rig, as well as countless crappie, yellow perch & bluegill. The main line is a lot stronger than the 2# test rating and the fluoro leader helps with abrasion resistance. Last season was my first with the SHSS in 9' length. Used it as well for casting jigs and it even beats the 7 footer for distance and fight-ability.

[Redlabelace]

I use St.Croix 7' panfish rod with a Shimano Stradic reel spooled with 4lb Nano-fil line. Cast 1/32 oz jigs a long way, shoot docks with it too. This is my setup that I use 90% of the time. Slow steady retrieve with an occasional twitch. If you think you are going slow, slow down more!

[LittleJohn]

I used the Sam Heaton 11 footer,for all my casting. This may seem long but so light and easy to use that u forget about being 11'. These rods are so sensitive u can almost feel the fish breathing on your lure.
LittleJohn

[Greenwing]

Check out the St Croix Panfish 7ft light, ex. fast action. Rod is very light in weight and the ex. fast action should provide some back bone without being to whippy.

[TuckyBoy]

X2 on the Sam Heaton Super Sensitive,(BnM), actually saw some at Walmart the other day. I prefer a 7' or a 9', depends on its purpose. I use 7' for casting. A 9' will also cast and vertical jig. I prefer a Pflueger President 6925, I think the slightly larger diameter spool cast a little farther than a 6920. I use 10lb power pro exclusively, it's a braid with the diameter of 2lb mono. As stated above the thin diameter line is the key for casting, and the 10lb braid will catch anything that swims in freshwater. I use a steady retrieve a tick above as slow as I can stand.

I caught this 55lb flathead on that very rig. 9 ft Sam Heaton, Pflueger President 6925, 10 Lb Power Pro. Jig and a wax worm. Fought it for an hour and ten minutes.

[ppowell]

If you're not looking to spend a lot of money I've found the Shakespeare Micro Spinning rod is a great deal at around $20. You may think at this price range this rod is a pile of garbage but you'd be surprised. Available in various powers (ultra-light and light) and lengths (4' to 7.5'). If you have a local wal-mart go take a look they stock them (at least 'round here they do).

If you get one and don't like it just find a kid at a pond and give it to them, $20 well spent

[livemusic]

Those of you who use 9' rods, can you provide any more input on that versus, say, a 7' rod? I haven't used spinning combo rigs much, but I am liking mine. But I am hesitating to go 9'... wondering if that would be cumbersome. Are there advantages such that you favor a 9' rod over a 7'? I guess for vertical jigging, 9' could help. But for casting, hmmm. And, I guess these are 2-piece? Any disadvantage to that?

Do the 9' rods have spinning rod eye guides?

[deathb4disco]

Those of you who use 9' rods, can you provide any more input on that versus, say, a 7' rod? I haven't used spinning combo rigs much, but I am liking mine. But I am hesitating to go 9'... wondering if that would be cumbersome. Are there advantages such that you favor a 9' rod over a 7'? I guess for vertical jigging, 9' could help. But for casting, hmmm. And, I guess these are 2-piece? Any disadvantage to that?

Do the 9' rods have spinning rod eye guides?

Longer rods allow you to cast farther and move more line on the hookset. Having said that, I don't go over 7' unless I'm fishing from the bank. Once you hit 8', virtually every rod is at least two pieces.