Why long rods when pulling cranks?

Hey guys I’m pretty new to crappie.com. I’m 32 now and haven’t trolled for crappie since I was probably 10-12 years old with my now late grand father.

Back then he used 6’ poles usually had 4-6 out at a time. I understand spider rigging having long poles to get the bait away from the trolling motor, but scratching my head on pulling cranks.

I plan to start trolling again my self. The boat I just bought had a bar across the back with 4 monster rod holders and two monster rod holders one on each side on the gunnels.

From what have read I plan buy the poles and spread them out as described below.

Plan to put two 14’ poles one on each side of the gunnels at a 90 degree angle.

Two 12’ poles one on each side of the outside bar at a 45 degree angle and then two 10 or two 8’ poles in the center at say 15 degree angles.

If I done this with say all 6’or 7’ poles as described above what would I lose from a fishability and performance stand point?

Thanks in advance!! P.S. I am going to move the bar and rod holders on gunnels pictured. Previous owner set them up this way.

From what I understand long rods are used in combination with shorter rods to achieve lure separation. You will have mess trying to run 4 or more rods of equal length at the same time without planer boards.

It may work fine until you try to make a turn or hook a fish and it decides to swim sideways.

Now that you say that I remember my grand father pulling in the rods everytime before we made a turn, but going straight it worked for him with all the same rods lengths

Plan to put two 14’ poles one on each side of the gunnels at a 90 degree angle.

Two 12’ poles one on each side of the outside bar at a 45 degree angle and then two 10 or two 8’ poles in the center at say 15 degree angles.

Does this sound like a good spread 14’,12’ 10’ or would some other length poles be better?

Atimm is correct ... the biggest reason for long rods for trolling methods is "separation" of the lines. Similar idea for "Pushing" rather than Longline Trolling --- so the boat can make shorter turns - or in the case of wide S turns, then the baits being closer to the boat means they track better than baits 2-3times as far back. Pushing uses heavy weights ahead of the baits to gain depth at the speeds normally associated with pushing/pulling cranks.

I Push cranks/jigs and use a combination of 14' - 10' - 6' rods (as seen in picture below):

Attachment 311638

Left side holder front rod is 10' & back rod is 14'
Right side holder front rod is 14' & back rod is 6'
(but, that arrangement was just what I was using that day, because that's the rods I took with me that day)

you got nice rig my friend. i agree with what others said, however i dont think the different length rods make near as much of a difference when pulling straight off the back.theres really good videos on you tube with folks just using 7' medium action bass rods

With clients I run 4 -7 foot


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7 foot Berkley Cherrywood Rods off the transom and a 14’ Southern Crappie SCR143T off each side.


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Good morning, I appreciate the info! The more I look I make take the existing back bar off and get the Driftmaster t-5300 long lining system. Then run 2 16’, 2 12’, 2 8’, and lastly 2 6’ straight out the back for cranks.

Your spread would not be as wide.....so you would be covering less water if you used all short poles. I also set mine up where I have 4 ft of separation between the lines.
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Originally Posted by Nate926

Good morning, I appreciate the info! The more I look I make take the existing back bar off and get the Driftmaster t-5300 long lining system. Then run 2 16’, 2 12’, 2 8’, and lastly 2 6’ straight out the back for cranks.

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That's what I do, 4' of separation for each crank on each side. 16, 12, 8 and 6' straight back

Everything you ever wanted to know about pulling cranks https://www.crappie.com/crappie/miss...-cranks-101-a/

Welcome to the site thanks for sharing. lots of info.Like the boat and the new 115 merc 4 stroke!!

Yep...great looking boat

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I run 16’, 12’, and 8’’ BnM PSTs off the side just in front of my console, then push with 2 6’’ Ugly Stik medium action trigger rods. I will run with 2’ of separation when longlining jigs, but keep it at 4’ when pulling jigs.

Sweet boat.

I really appreciate it guys! Looking forward to getting her rigged up the way I want it and getting out on the water. Already ordered millennium rod holders for up front, the side kick chairs and seats. Going to get the Driftmaster t-5300 in the back. Plan to spider rig in the cold weather and pull cranks in the warm weather. Up front I’m gonna run 8 Southern crappie 14’ rods when spider rigging, and 2 16’, 2 12’, 2 8’ and 2 6’ b’n’m pst trolling rods when cranking

I notice he is not on the forum, or active any more, but does anyone know what rod rack that is in the rear of the first picture? I have the same Lowe 2070 and would love to have that rack for Catfishing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chevync20

I notice he is not on the forum, or active any more, but does anyone know what rod rack that is in the rear of the first picture? I have the same Lowe 2070 and would love to have that rack for Catfishing

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The rod holders are Monster Rod Holders, not sure if they provide the trolling bar or not but it is a starting point.