Southern Crappie Rods Opinions

I am in the market to finally upgrading to 16' rods. I have spent the last three seasons get familiar with spider rigging with 12' rods and in my experience, I have noticed an increase watching others and using 14 and 16' rods. Being from NC, I am very interested in Southern Crappie Rods as he is a couple hours down the road. I guess my question is, if I spider rig typically with 1 ounce or less, would you opt for the 163T models or the medium action 163's?

I may consider other options, but so far these have been at the top of my list. Others I am considering are BnM BGJP, ACC Crappie Stix, and Jenko Spider Troll. Any input on these, as well as the SCR rods would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ed Duke who owns the company is a great guy. Call him up and tell him what your looking for and he will give you better details.

Southerns are very good rods, tough as nails and reasonably priced. I have 14 footers in the non T series. My only complaint is the tips get whippy in the wind. I would imagine the 16s would be even worse. The T's are a good bit stiffer and would fair better in windy conditions. If looking for an all around rod the t series would be my choice. If you predominantly spider rig and use light weights I possibly would look at those crappie stix or even Denali prymes. I have Denalis and they are really versatile, can use light weights and still detect light bites. Can also pull cranks or power troll with them and load them up. I haven't fished with the crappie stix, but hearing great things about them as well. All are good rods, and I'm sure you will get varying opinions. Do your research first and foremost and buy what best suits your style of fishing, can get costly quick buying and selling rods to upgrade if your aren't happy.

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That is my concern. The SCR rods are the ACC Crappie Stix are 500 for a set of 8. I would prefer to spend less if possible, but also believe in buy once, cry once. The BnM BGJP are the best deal for 16's, on GrizzlyJig they come in at 390 shipped to my door.

I guess I continue to be on the fence between 14 and 16' rods. I have a 20' boat, so storing them is not a huge problem. My current rods are Jenko Cypress Creek 12's and BnM 12' West Point rods. For the money, I have really liked the Jenko Cypress rods, but they lack in visual on bites in some cases. Maybe 14's give me the greatest versatility.

I have owned both 14 and 16 southerns. Like Snubby said the tips get whipped in the wind. The 16’s were so bad I got rid of them plus they were to long for me to handle fishing by myself. They are great rods for sure. Really like my 14’s and they probably toughest rods built. Another thing, no better customer service out there.

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Originally Posted by Cray

I have owned both 14 and 16 southerns. Like Snubby said the tips get whipped in the wind. The 16’s were so bad I got rid of them plus they were to long for me to handle fishing by myself. They are great rods for sure. Really like my 14’s and they probably toughest rods built. Another thing, no better customer service out there.

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That is my concern, on days I fish alone, maybe he 14's are the better options for ease of use. I keep going back and fourth on these in the T models and others. I have searched the forum hard the last week and just cannot seem to come up with an answer on which route to go. Really only used 10's and 12's in the past, but looking to upgrade to better rods before they get shallow here in NC.

I have the non -t model (not for large weights ) . Like you I stay 1oz. or less , 90 % of the time 1/2 oz. . I can not say about the 16(mine are 14 ) but I think Ed will tell you to go with the non -t unless you plan to power troll with two oz. weights . Call him and he will be be glad to talk, great guy .I do fish solo spider rigging almost always .

Can't beat the Southern's, call them for help.

I know a couple of guys who fish the T model with 1/2 oz weights. They tell me they can detect pretty lite bites it’s just they have much more back bone. I don’t really care for 1 oz on my non T models even though they will Cary it.

Best rods out there and Ed Duke has no peers. Best guy in the rod business bar none.