What is the preferred rod length and type of reel?

:help I'm brand new to crappie fishing and would like to know what is the preferred length of a crappie rod and type of reel, weight of line, etc. Thanks in advance.

There are 10,000 answers. Preference depends on your method of fishing.
I prefer a 6'6" to 7' ultra light rod with a spinning reel for slip bobber fishing over brush piles. One pole is spooled with 4 pound mono and the other 6 pound mono. I use the 6 pound pole to drop my hook in the trees/brush. The 4 pound to fish above the trees/brush.

Welcome to the site.

yea, need to know how you will be fishing

I have no idea, I just moved here and have only fished Quaddick Reservoir in northeastern Connecticut once before. I will be using my inflatable pontoon boat and there are docks and some vegetation north of the boat ramp on the east side. There are numerous docks and some underwater structure on the west side. So I guess I will be pitching up under the docks or jigging next to them? Do they like deep water or shade? I have a spinning reel on a broken 7 foot Ugly Stick, Yes I did manage to break it, one of the guides, in my garage. I also have a 6 foot bait casting rod and reel. I have some jig heads with yellow bodies, and assorted other spinners and lures.

So many variables on types of rods & reels. I know nothing of the area you live in, but I'd start out pitching to those docks/shady areas. Find the structure & you will find the fish.

I'd be shooting those docks, then jigging or Vertical Casting the dock posts ... and casting around the emerging grass beds. Any good 5'6" to 6' spinning rod in light to med/lite power & fast tip action should work for those presentations. A spinning reel with a wide spool or long cast spool & 4-6lb line will do nicely ... as long as it balances well with the rod you put it on. You should be able to balance the rod/reel when the front edge of the rod handle is laying across your outstretched finger. (unbalanced outfits will stress your wrist/arm, making them tiresome to use for any length of time)

Northern shorelines will warm faster, & stay warmer longer ... so start looking there, first.

Here's an explanation of "Vertical Casting" -- http://www.crappie.com/articles/crappiepappy.htm

Here's some info I posted on "shooting docks" that you might find helpful -- http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...Tecnique/page2

Also worthy of note : Black Crappie are going to be cruising the banks, looking for nesting sites & feeding up for the spawn when the water temps start edging up to 50deg ... then spawn once the temps get around 57-60deg's. They like clear water & weeds, but will use wood & rocks if it's the only cover available. ALL Crappie like shade !!

... cp :kewl

Your ugly stick should work fine. Just get 6 to 10 lb line for your reel and buy a few 1/8 and 1/16 oz jig heads and some black/chartreuse tubes or lures and you will be in business. You simply jig next to structure and you can even "shoot" your jig under docks with that ugly stick. I have one myself. Good luck!

Thanks everyone, I'm going to get a new spinning rod and start practicing shooting so when it gets warm enough I can know what I'm doing.

When you figure it out let the rest of us know. :biggrin

Ok, good news, there is a local place here that repairs rods, I'm taking the Ugly Stick in tomorrow to get a new guide put on. Thank's Bob's Place in Ballouville, Ct.