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.

I have the 14 ft regulars and a set of the 14t and like them both. Detecting strikes is not a problem with the t's using 1/2 oz weight. If I want to power troll I can also. I have about 30 sc rods and have broken one for in all the years I have owned them. No better rod on the market for the money and excellent customer service.

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Originally Posted by Chevync20

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.

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I use to have the 14ft southerns,now i have 14ft bgjp's.Theres no doubt southerns are tough, ed duke is a great guy and poles are tough.But i know for a fact 14ft bgjp's,16ft capps and colemans will have a better tip action in windy rough conditions than the 14ft southerns.I loved my southerns until i fished with a friend with 16ft capps and colemans and saw the difference.If your gonna spiderrig tip action means alot in my opinion.

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I have 20 Southern Crappie rods.. 10, 12, 14, 16 ft...they are tough as nails...all I use anymore, to me they cant be beat

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I also have several southern crappie rods. I have both the regular model and the T models. I troll cranks and planar boards with the T series rods and several different lengths. The SCR models I spider rig with and they are all 14’ length and they are all tough as nails.

If you wanna try out each shoot me a pm and will go fishin I live in nc on lake tillery, if your a tournament guy I’d opt for the 16’ regulars if just a fun fisherman I’d stick with the regular 14’s, but like I said if you wanna see for yourself you are more than welcome to come try’em out, I tightline, longline and pull cranks with the regular series, no better tougher rod and there is no more sensitive of a tip on a long rod and that’s a fact

I love my SCRs. Great rods very tough. Ed Dukes is a fine man and stands behind his product. You will not find better customer service!

Sold my Southerns and got the BGJP. They are right when they talk about the whipping in the wind.


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Long lining crankbaits with the 12T’s and 14T’s, I have landed 30 & 35lb flatheads and figured the rod would break as had them doubled over, super strong rods. :ThumbsUp

I am slowly upgrading my rods to all SCRs. Had a tip break on a 14 last year and Ed was able to sell me a replacement vs havign to buy a whole new rod.

All I hear are great things about Ed and his rods. Wish I had a set, but bought my set off of this site used. Got BGJPs in the 14 foot size. I have tried single 16 and even 18 foot poles and they are just too much trouble for the little bit of extra reach. My wife would never get in a crappie with a 16 footer. She hates the 14 enough. For the average weekend fisherman, it is hard to beat 14 footers. I would rather fish comfortably all day with my 14s and miss a few shallow fish that got spooked. I spider, pull jigs, pull cranks all with my BGJPs and love them, but if any of you want to donate a few southern rods, be glad to take them. lol.

I bought (4) 12 footers a couple years ago, everyone one of them broke!
tips broke on 3 and one of them broke in half landing a 1 lb crappie
Tried to contact vendor and never received a response. I won’t buy another one.

I have several of the southern rods and I love them

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Originally Posted by Bullet89

I bought (4) 12 footers a couple years ago, everyone one of them broke!
tips broke on 3 and one of them broke in half landing a 1 lb crappie
Tried to contact vendor and never received a response. I won’t buy another one.

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That’s hard for me to understand. I have called several times over the years and every time he answered the phone. Talking to several guys and same thing. One friend a few months ago did get his voice mail and Ed called him back within the hour. Also anyone I have talked to that has had a problem, which is rare, he has taken care of them to their satisfaction. I have a set of 12’s and 14’s and not one issue over about 5 years.

Great poles! Bent one double once & just knew it was going to snap, but it didn't.

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Originally Posted by Bullet89

I bought (4) 12 footers a couple years ago, everyone one of them broke!
tips broke on 3 and one of them broke in half landing a 1 lb crappie
Tried to contact vendor and never received a response. I won’t buy another one.

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There has to be more to this story. Ed doesn't have the moral compass to just leave someone hanging. The first time I met Ed he had no clue that I was going to be a customer or not but he took time to answer every question I had and showed me all of his products AND talked about fishing for over an hour. I have swung several large fish into the boat with zero issues. Caught a 20+ lb flathead last summer and my 14 footer never missed a step. Going on 3 years with my set of 14's and I couldn't be happier.

Sent you a PM.

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Originally Posted by footballcoach

I love my SCRs. Great rods very tough. Ed Dukes is a fine man and stands behind his product. You will not find better customer service!

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What he said

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Originally Posted by need2befishin

There has to be more to this story. Ed doesn't have the moral compass to just leave someone hanging. The first time I met Ed he had no clue that I was going to be a customer or not but he took time to answer every question I had and showed me all of his products AND talked about fishing for over an hour. I have swung several large fish into the boat with zero issues. Caught a 20+ lb flathead last summer and my 14 footer never missed a step. Going on 3 years with my set of 14's and I couldn't be happier.

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I m glad everyone has had good results with there rods, I went by the reviews here before I made my purchase. My contact was via e-mail and i did not receive any response. I guess I got a bad batch they are from China and not know for quality assurance. It has been a few years ago and don’t remember the details on where I bought the rods.

Just stating the facts about my experience no axe to grind End of story

If you bought SCRs, you bought them from Ed. He doesn't do retail. I read this yesterday and decided to see where it went. Nothing in your story lines up with the experience of hundreds of folks who have bought his rods and dealt directly with Ed. BTW, your going to have to look far and wide to find ANY crappie rod that ISN'T made in China now.

I have several Southern Crappie Rods. I will always buy those because of Ed Dukes. I closed a rod box on one and broke the last foot of the rod off. Called ed to buy a new section and he sent me one at no charge. I told him it was my fault and he sent me one anyway. As Doug said he does not do retail but has better customer service than anyone IMO.

I have the 12&14 ft rods,had them for couple years now. No problems what so ever. Ed is a great guy and stands behind his product.


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I also have southern crappie rods. Have been in his store/garage/meeting place. Left with 7 rods and a truck load of knowledge. No finer person to deal with!!!!!