I'm a rookie looking for gear tips

Hello, my name is Todd and i'm from central Alabama. I am 29 years old and have done very little fishing in my lifetime. I recently have gotten a huge desire to fish and I love the taste of Crappie. So I figure Crappie is the fish I want to catch. Almost all that I know about fishing is from what I have read online and in books over the past month. I'm looking for gear advice. What type of reel? Rod length? Live bait or lures? Any advice anyone can give to a brand new Crappie angler is welcome. Thanks!

I assume at least at first, you will be bank fishing. I would start with a 6 to 7ft medium light rod with a high quality spinning reel with some 6lb test monofilament low memory line. This will allow you to cast a considerable distance. I would then take a few bucks each paycheck and head down to the local walmart and begin accumulating hooks, sinkers, floats, jigs and other artificial lures such as road runners and rooster tails. I would also become familiar with a slip float and how to use rig it. With that rig, you will be able to catch anything that swims in fresh water. Good luck and I hope in a few months you'll be coaching someone else on how to fish.

Welcome to crappie.com and you are in the right place if you want to learn to catch crappie.

Welcome you going to get all kinds of advice on rods and reels because everyone likes something different. My advice don't skimp on reels go with good name brands. Shimano and pflueger are pretty good I prefer Shimano but like I said it's up to you just don't buy the cheap stuff. As for rods like rcc. Said if you going to fish from the bank go with something 6 to 7foot. Be sure to check in at the Alabama forum too. And good luck.

When I started out I stayed as simple as possible. Ultra light rod, arbideen hooks size 2, weight, slip bobbers and bobber stoppers and minnow. Can't go wrong there. Good luck and welcome from Illinois.

If you haven't already Todd, go here and read some: http://www.crappie.com/crappie/begin...ntoring-forum/

The advice so far is spot on. I can't imagine not enjoying fishing, but some don't. I don't believe as a beginner you need to buy top of the line equipment until you know your in the game for the duration. Just don't buy cheap as it will only add to frustrations. Good luck and welcome.

Welcome from Alabama. I would use the KISS(Keep It Simple Son) formula until you know what you really want and can afford. A good B-n-M or Ugly Stick Light rod and reel combination from Walmart will get you a ton of fish to start with. Then you can upgrade as your finances and desires dictate. A good open face reel, spooled with six pound line is what I would recommend. I myself an usually using a slip float setup. I live in Alabama and the Crappies here are large. I recommend a #2 gold hook tipped with a minnow or soft plastic or a 1/16th jig tipped with a minnow or soft plastic. Here is a diagram of my basic setup

.Attachment 191405

Its hard to beat minnows under a float. It is after all one of their natural food sources. I will second or third on the reels. Spend a little more and get a good one. For rods I used Shakespere 7' light action from Walmart, for under $20. you get a graphite rod with a cork handle. That leaves money in the bank for a reel. I have looked at the more expensive rods and can't feel the difference in the them and the Shakespeare. Bobby Garland Baby Shad are popular here in Alabama. Can't go wrong with Monkey Milk or Electric Chicken for colors to start with a 1\16th or 1\32nd ounce jig head if artificial is the route you want to go. Most of all have fun and enjoy your time on the water.

# 1 rule = buy the good stuff ! If you decide to sell, it won't last long in the classified section here .

We really could use a bit more information from you! Like do you fish from a boat or bank? What is your budget like as far as how much you want to spend on this rig? Finally, is the water you are fishing rather obstruction free, or is it brushy and snaggy? If we have this information, we can focus our suggestions properly to your needs. Welcome to the insanity! LOL! :)

I love the advice from Shipahoy. Even a picture!

Wait until you get addicted before you start purchasing the million or so pounds of gear that all of us have in our boats that we never use!
But, if I was a betting man, by the end of the spring time, you'll be looking for a small used flat bottom boat for the back of your truck.
By the end of summer, you are looking for a used v bottom with a 40hp and trailer to pull behind your truck.
By winter time, your buying a new boat with trailer, new truck cause the old one won't pull it, and building a barn on your property to store it all in. Or, just moving all together to a place with a lake and a dock you you can be close to fishing.....

See, it is an addiction! Welcome
Learn as much as you can and then see if you can tag along with another member on this site. Hit one of the CDC events in your area. Most importantly, if someone says something that you don't understand... ask. This is one of the only forums that I have found where you are not treated like an idiot because you don't know something.

My panfish rod is just a 7ft light action spinning rod with a pfleuger spinning reel. I've had ultralites but I just love this setup because it seems like I got a better chance of bringing in them occasional 1-2 lb bass I sometimes hook up with while trying to catch crappie or bluegill. I always just use 6 lb mono with normally a 1/32-1/16 oz jighead with either a 1.5 or 2 inch curly tail grub or tube. In the summertime I try to only bass fish but when they aren't biting I always pull out my panfish rod and normally can catch about 50 gills or rock bass in about a half hour. Some maybe tiny but I'm a guy who just like catching fish. Doesn't matter the size or species. I'd say you'll have good luck with this type of setup. That's what I'll recommend to anybody just getting started. Good luck

Five main things you need for success

1. c.com hat
2. c.com sticker on truck/car/scateboard
3. c.com sticker on boat
4. c.com T shirt
5 Billbob budweiser can huggie

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Originally Posted by Crestliner08

We really could use a bit more information from you! Like do you fish from a boat or bank? What is your budget like as far as how much you want to spend on this rig? Finally, is the water you are fishing rather obstruction free, or is it brushy and snaggy? If we have this information, we can focus our suggestions properly to your needs. Welcome to the insanity! LOL! :)

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I'll be fishing from a flat bottom boat and from the bank. Looking to spend $50-$75 on a rod and reel. As far as the water, i'm hoping to fish several different places and would like to be prepared either way. Thanks

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Originally Posted by toddarmstrong

I'll be fishing from a flat bottom boat and from the bank. Looking to spend $50-$75 on a rod and reel. As far as the water, i'm hoping to fish several different places and would like to be prepared either way. Thanks

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In that price range ... I'd be looking at a 6'- 6'6" Berkley Cherrywood (med power) and a Okuma spinning reel (or low end Shimano) that balances well with the rod. Both can usually be found at your local Wally World, and sometimes on sale. Get some 6# mono (name brand) and you should be able to cast & tightline fish with it. :twocents

... cp :kewl

Hire a guide. He will shorten the learning curve greatly.

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Originally Posted by toddarmstrong

I'll be fishing from a flat bottom boat and from the bank. Looking to spend $50-$75 on a rod and reel. As far as the water, i'm hoping to fish several different places and would like to be prepared either way. Thanks

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There are a lot of good quality reels on the market for sure that will meet your needs. The Pflueger Trion (20 size) is one you should look at. On rod selection, I'd seriously look at the B n' M Sam Heatons Super Sensitive in 7' length. This rod will set you back a bit under $50.00 however. You will not regret spending the extra $$ on this rod, I guarantee! :)

You'll probably want to start off with a good quality monofilament line, such as Trilene XL 4# or 6# test, depending on the water you are fishing. At some point you should look at a braid for your main line, with a fluorocarbon leader. Something like 4# test Fireline Crystal with a 4# test leader. Connect the leader with an Alberto knot and you'll be amazed at the increased sensitivity this combination will provide for you.

Buy a pflueger president reel ($50) - best value for the money in my opinion (as SUPER smooth & durable as it gets without going into the $100's..) put it on a $20-$30 7' fiberglass Shakespear spinning rod w/cork handle from WM and you'll be set. I can't tell you how much money I wasted on cheap reels before having my eyes opened by the president line from Pflueger. As long as my budget allows, I may never own another brand of small freshwater spinning reels...

Is it just me or am I the only one who prefers 4lb mono for Crappies?

Lots of good info so far, my advice is to try to find someone who is familiar with catching crappies. I know I have taken people who allegedly had caught lots of crappies before but once they got into the boat with me they definitely picked up some stuff, the next time they had much lighter setups and definitely did improve their catch numbers.

Stick with it and you will definitely enjoy your new addiction!

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Originally Posted by TeamAsgrow

Is it just me or am I the only one who prefers 4lb mono for Crappies?

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Actually I prefer fishing with 2# test Fireline Crystal with a 2# test fluoro leader. But the water I fish is rather obstruction free, open and clear.

One more comment on the original question though. I'd put most of the budget on a rod vs. the reel, for crappie fishing. The sensitivity of the rod will yield higher catch percentages than spending the money on the reel. I love the Pflueger President and have one of the 6920 series, soon to be two. But I don't believe that kind of up-grade is necessary, being the original poster is just starting out. JMO. :)

Crestliner: a fair statement. A lot of decent reels can be had around $25-30. I should qualify my statement. After wasting a lot of time and effort with cheap ($10-20) reels I was overly impressed with the president line. Definitely worth the extra dough for the difference in performance if u want a reliable reel u wont have to replace every couple years tho.

All good opinions cause I started speck fishing with (telescope) cane poles with no reel, moved to a rod and reel setup with good rods and inexpensive reels and lately I've been transitioning to more quality reels set up on the same quality rods purchased a few years ago. As I learn more about this sport, I try to sharpen up on my tools.
...TIP IT WITH A MINNOW!

My :twocents ... On the pound test comment from TeamAsGrow...

I used 4lb test mono for over 30yrs, various styles of Stren & Trilene, until I won a spool of Mr Crappie Super Hi-vis 4lb test mono from a contest on this site. That line was made in the USA, and I found it to be a very good line. I got some sample spools of Vicious line at one of our get together events, and it seemed to be good line, as well. A member/buddy of mine sent me a spool of 6lb test Vicious Panfish hi-vis copoly, a few years ago, and I tried it out on my dock shooting & jig casting outfits. I found it to cast as far and as smoothly as the lighter 4lb test monos I had been using (on the same reels I had been using). I do believe its strength is beyond the 6lb test listing, and that has translated into more baits recovered from snags than when using the 4lb test lines ... even the XT versions.

... cp :kewl

I started with whatever pole/reel combo I could find in my price range. Not going to spend $100 bucks to find out I don't like fishing.
Then I started to upgrade. First round was Berkley Lightin Rods IM6, with Shimano reels (Sahara or Sedona). I use 4 and 6 pound mono only.

Then I stepped up to St. Croix rods with the new Shimano reels. I still have the old rod reel set-ups and let guest's use them.

The Berkley's set me back about $30 a rod and $30-$40 per reel.

The St. Croix rods set me back about $120 a rod (Premier model) and now I spend about $50-$60 per reel. IF we keep getting snow I'll be picking up my 4th St. Croix rod and Shimano reel this spring. Two of the rods are ultralight 6'6" single piece. The other two are 7' light-med. action for heavier fishing methods, spider rigging, trolling, and walleye.

Two of the St. Croix's I bought at the plant in Parks Falls Wisconsin. I can tell a huge difference in rod performance between the Berkley's and the St. Croix's.

I have the ugliest and almost the smallest boat on the lake. But that don't mean I can't catch fish. I have more $$ in my poles then in my boat, and more in my sonar unit then the rest of my fishing gear including boat combined. I can see what your fishing from 100 yards away. :biggrin

I use mostly 7 ft rods for jigging and slip bobber fishing.I use Lews and Bass pro crappie maxx.Good rods and wont break the bank.Line i use mainly 6 to 8 lb hi viz.Lews Mr Crappie reel is a good one that is not real expensive.

If you plan on doing a lot of casting, don't buy the little bitty reels. They are ok for rigging but the little spools don't cast very far. Look at a shimano reel in a 2500 or 4000 size to see the size of the spool. Don't save money on cheap line either.