Another crappie rod question

I am looking to get some rods for tightlining from the front of the boat. I usually long line from the back. I see where I can get 4 Pinnacle Limit rods 12 feet length for about $70. I searched and saw a few posts from way back where some have used them and said they were OK. Would you spend the extra money and just get the Southern Crappie rods? Looks like a 12 ft would be about $37 each or the new 14 ft rods that can handle more weight for $47. What length is preferred for tightlining? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I use pinnacle limits. I have 12' out of the front and 10' out the back. I don't think the you have to spend for the quality when tightlining since you don't fight the fish like you do pulling jigs.

Those pinnacles are good rods no doubt! They are the best rod you can get for cheap and they handle real well. I've got some 8s and 10s.

If you're not just "trying out" tightlining and know for sure that you want to do it Id go ahead and buy the southerns. I was in the same boat as you are when I went searching for my first set of rods and I bought several cheaper sets before my southerns. I'd go with southerns for two reasons.

1- I really prefer a 14 ft tightlining. It doesn't matter as much this time of year but those 14s really get the bait away from the boat. I started with 10s, moved to 12s, and now own 14s. I'm completely satisfied!

2- I fished with Pinnacle Limits, Pinnacle Vertex, HT Panfish Specials, BnM Pro Staff Trollers and Wally Marshall Tightline Specials and the Southerns are my favorite. The Wallys were great but they were overpriced for my budget. The Southerns are durable, have great backbone, great feel, and a sensitive rod tip!

And I wouldn't go with the new 14s you described unless your planning on pushing crankbait a with a bunch of weight. That's what they are designed for. The regular 14s is what I have and they hold up to an ounce of weight without issue...they might hold more but I've never tried. I generally stick with 1/2 oz.

Just my 2 cents

As you know you get what you pay for. Ive never owned the southerns but if money wasnt an issue I'd have 14 of 'em for my spread. That said...I use the limit rods and dont have any regrets. Only broke one in all my longlining years and I probably stepped on it to cause it to break. Theyre good glass rods that loads up well and the fish doesnt know theyre hooked until it's too late. They'll carry a 1 once sinker for spider rigging OK too.

Southern Crappie Rods are hands down worth the money. The sensitive tip allows you to detect the bite you would otherwise miss. Additionally should you break a tip by stepping on it or otherwise, Ed sells just the top section very reasonable, preventing you from having to buy a whole new rod or doing the repair yourself.

Great advice guys, thanks. I was half-way hoping someone would say the Limit rods are awful to make the decision easier. I am retiring very soon and hope to have a lot more time to fish. It kind of sounds like the Limit rods would work fine but if I got the Southerns I would be happy with them for a long time. Tough decision.

If money is not an issue get the southern crappie rods and you will have the best and never have to up grade. I use the 14's for tight lining and love them

Like mentioned above I have tried them all. I have (16) 12' limits but don't use them anymore. For tight lining you need to get baits away from the boat and I now use Southern Crappie 14's. There is a 16' that lots of people use but for me I prefer the 14'. Unlike long lining the bite is not as obvious and the Southern Crappie rod will help you catch more fish. Little fish seem to grab the bait and pull the rod down. The bigger fish seem to just hold the bait and the rod barely moves. With the Southern Crappie rod you will see the slight change in the rod tip that I didn't see with the Limits or other brands. I live only 5 minutes from Ed's shop and didn't use his stuff because I thought a rod was a rod but now know the difference. Hope this helps cause I've been there done that.

Can I have the 12' limits? lol.....

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Originally Posted by capps cousin

Like mentioned above I have tried them all. I have (16) 12' limits but don't use them anymore. For tight lining you need to get baits away from the boat and I now use Southern Crappie 14's. There is a 16' that lots of people use but for me I prefer the 14'. Unlike long lining the bite is not as obvious and the Southern Crappie rod will help you catch more fish. Little fish seem to grab the bait and pull the rod down. The bigger fish seem to just hold the bait and the rod barely moves. With the Southern Crappie rod you will see the slight change in the rod tip that I didn't see with the Limits or other brands. I live only 5 minutes from Ed's shop and didn't use his stuff because I thought a rod was a rod but now know the difference. Hope this helps cause I've been there done that.

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ONE WORD ANSWER: SOUTHERNCRAPPIERODS!!!! That's not all I have but it's all I will ever buy again as long as they are for sale!

Another big Thumbs UP for Southern Crappie Rods and Ed Duke!!!! I would go with the 14 ft rods to keep bait away from boat and these rods will handle 1+ oz weight and still have good deflection in the tip!

Go ahead and get the regular Southern Crappie Rod 14 footers, if you buy 12s later on you are going to want 14s. The extra 2 ft at times make all the difference in the world.

Thanks for all of the replies. You guys have convinced me that I need to spend money on the Southerns Justas soon as I can catch the wife looking the other way. Now, what reels should I get to put on 'em?

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Originally Posted by MidHillbilly

Now, what reels should I get to put on 'em?

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PM sent !!!!

Southern Crappie has reels as well. See Ed's newest video for his new reel.

I'm sold on Southern Crappie rods. They have a great feel holding the rods while jigging and have the back bone for the heavy weight for spider rigging. Used two 14'ers this week while longlining and yes, they worked very well for that also.