Help: Casting jigs for crappie

[Spoonminnow]

Shakespeare Micro Spinning rod is a great deal at around $20

Like them as well as any light action rod with a fast tip. I never cared for rods over 6.5' for spinning, or over 6' for spincast (push button)

Line: I like 6 or 8 lb test Power Pro, but other braids do the job even with light lures (1/32 - 1/8 oz), but most important - little to no line twist! Plus, the diameter is less for braid than an equal mono test and equally important - zero line stretch for long distance hook sets!!!

Other than braid, Trilene XL or Suffix in 6# test works fine or as a leader to braid, though braid is immune to ultraviolet degradation or curling.

jigheads: 1/32 - 1/8 oz, but remember hook size is extremely important per lure length. Remember, soft plastic adds weight depending on design and size and therefore 1/32 + 1/16 lure wt. in oz = 3/32 oz = more than enough for making long casts. I get mine on Ebay in different hook sizes per jig lead wt.

Reels: spinning or spincast; gear ratio and spool diameter very important! or how much line taken in per one full turn of the handle. You can tell regardless of reel type by how many handle turns moves the lure 1'-2'. All too often, crappie and other fish species swim toward you and along with moving the rod tip to the side or higher than your head, you need to take in line fast not only for the hook set but to keep the fish hooked!

My panfish reels cost less than $30, some less than $20, but the drags are smooth and the ratios at least 3.5:1. Note: the stated gear ratio must coincide with line spool diameter to be useful. Small diameter spools require more winding no matter the ratio.

Today I cast a variety of lure designs in different sizes using cheap spinning and spincast reels loaded with either braid with a 1' leader or chartreuse line alone (Suffix), jigs between 1/32 - 1/8 ox with hook sizes between #4 (largest)- #6 (smaller) and loaded the boat with four species of pan fish. When the crappie and white perch hit, you knew they meant business!

[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

[moswampy]

I like my president reel with some small diameter braid and st. Croix panfish rod for small baits. With 1/16th it casts as far as I want to toss a jig and with 1/32 it does well enough. When using a small jig like the 1/32 I do not want it too far away.

[bigbass12]

I have used an 8ft and a 7.5ft Okuma Celilo ultra light spinning rod for the last couple of seasons and they have performed beyond my expectations. They are quality rods and both are under $35 at FishUSA. I have 1000 series Shimano Sedonas on both spooled with 4lb test hi-vis Vicous mono. I use a fixed float and a small panfish jig on the 8ft and a slip float on the 7.5ft. They have provided many fillets for me and my family.

[naturenut]

I have used an 8ft and a 7.5ft Okuma Celilo ultra light spinning rod for the last couple of seasons and they have performed beyond my expectations. They are quality rods and both are under $35 at FishUSA. I have 1000 series Shimano Sedonas on both spooled with 4lb test hi-vis Vicous mono. I use a fixed float and a small panfish jig on the 8ft and a slip float on the 7.5ft. They have provided many fillets for me and my family.

i have the exact same rods and reels, and love them.
really nice for the money...

[DockShootinJack]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago. Great rod for the money. Balances well with a Lews speed spin 200