Can we revisit the rod choice topic?

I've caught two 30" plus strikers in the past two weeks and a 26lb catfish on the 14' Southern Crappie rod with 6 lb test. No problems at all. If you would happen to break one you can buy only the section that breaks and not the whole rod. I broke the tip section on my garage door and replaced it for $12.

BnM here. 14ft Capps and Coleman are my choice.

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Originally Posted by stlouisloui

Hi All:
I have been pouring through the archives trying to to decide on new rods for spider rigging. For my situation I have decided on 14 footers. I am considering BnM, Ozark, Southern and BPS Crappie Maxx. One important note is that I am a BPS employee, and get 40% off the BPS Crappie Maxx rods. I will be buying 9 rods. Money is an issue, but I'd rather not make an easy mistake. I'd love your input.
Stlouisloui

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All of the rods you mentioned would serve you well but it's hard to beat a 40% discount. B & M makes an excellent rod and offer several different actions so you can get the action you prefer. Currently I'm using Southerns for spider rigging and PST's for power trolling but that's just my preference.

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Originally Posted by SlabMeister

B & M PST: Power trolling with weights over 1oz and pulling cranks. PSTs are good all around poles and these were the rods that we started out with. If I only had one set of rods it would be PSTs. You can use them for all types of crappie fishing just a little stiff for some situations but they are still a good choice if wanting to have one set of rods for spider rigging and pulling cranks.

B & M BGJP's or Capps and Colemans for spider rigging with jigs or weights less than 1oz. BGJP's are not covered for spider rigging but you can see the lightest bite which is key some days. They are not stiff enough for heavy egg sinkers for power trolling. Capps and Colemans are just a tad stiffer than BGJPs but still great for light weights and detecting a light bite.

B & M BGJP's and Roger Gant's in various lengths for long line trolling.

I have tried a few other makes without problems but for some reason I just seem to stick with B & M's. I like the Sam Heatons for single pole jig fishing. Lots of good rod choices out there but this is just what we have and how we use them. I hear a few people complain about breaking PST tips. We have snagged stumps and had them pulled all the way under the boat so tight that you can barely get them out of the rod holder and have not broke one yet. We bought our first PST's about 7 years ago and they are still going strong. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen but we have been tough on ours and have not had any problems.

Really comes down to personal preference. Good luck with your choice.

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Dang. Sounds like a resume for a Pro Staff deal. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I disagree about the C&C rods being stiffer than the BGJP tho. [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Dang. Sounds like a resume for a Pro Staff deal. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I disagree about the C&C rods being stiffer than the BGJP tho. [emoji4]

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I find the Caps stiffer than the Buck's

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

I find the Caps stiffer than the Buck's

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I didn't see that in mine. I didn't like the parabolic bend in the Capps pole from the handle all the way out to the tip. Made the pole role around when lifting a fish. My BGJP's seem to be stiffer in the spine than my C&C's were because of the bend from the handle in the Capps.

Just got a set of 16' PST's and the Capps tips to put on them. Can't wait to compare them to the BGJP's. Lots of spine in the PST and the sensitivity of the Capps tip on em should be a great combo.

Or just buy a set of Southern Crappie...both companies make fine products..Sometimes I think we fishermen over think things in our quest for excellence. I know I do..

Good point knight shadow. Why buy rods and change the tip? Why have a set for tight line, a set for long line and a set for cranks? Buy one set and do it all Southern Crappie!

There isn't one set of rods that will do everything the best that it can be done. I guess I'd rather be a specialist instead of a general practitioner.

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Dang. Sounds like a resume for a Pro Staff deal. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I disagree about the C&C rods being stiffer than the BGJP tho. [emoji4]

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If you're going to be a bear might as well be a Grizzly! Lol! I have purchased my rods over a 7 plus year period not all at once. I just added two more bottom seat Sam Heatons Friday at Grizzly Jig for wade fishing. Lol!

JMHO on the Capps and Coleman's! I have a set of 8 C & C's 16', a set of 8 BGJP's 16' and a set of 8 PST's 16'. I love the BGJP's for light jigs and up to 1/2 oz and less Capps and Coleman rigs. Prefer the C & C's for 1/2 oz up to 1oz Capps and Coleman rigs. I use the PST's for heavy weights. Big difference in the bow in the tip of the BGJP's and Capps and Coleman rods side by side with 1 oz rigs. I will snap some photos on my next outing.

I started out with PST's and used them for 2 years for everything. I then purchased a set of Capps & Colemans because they were a lot more sensitity rod than the PST's. I then made the mistake of fishing with a guide that was using BGJP's with 1/4oz jigs in 3' of water spider rigging in early spring. The bite was so light that day it was hard to detect but you could see even the slightest bump on the BGJP's. I was sold, I had to have a set. I love this rod it is just not stiff enough for heavier weights.

If I had to go back to one set of B & M rods for all applications it would be PST's. PST's are great rods and will do anything that you want to do it is just harder to detect light bites on tough days with this rod.

Lots of great rod choices out there from different companies. This is just what I have found that I like in the B & M line.