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I like quality stuff and wanted to add a dedicated high end Crappie rod/reel to the stable. I have been looking at Loomis and St Croix. Thoughts on which one would be best for bank/dock fishing. Suggestions on high end reel. I know I don’t need to spend much for this fish but it’s more of a want.........
There are some threads on JDM rods and reels. High end Japanese domestic market tackle
I start shaking when I look at high end gear. You’ll do better getting input from other folks that have more experience than I do. On my want list though is the St Croix premier 66lf. One piece light fast action that is a feather in your hand. Never fished one but really like it in my hand.
If you want to see some high end gear in use for crappie….and other specie…check out my channel. All of my gear is out of Japan….first thing I tell folks is nope….you don’t need it….but it sure makes for a lot of fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkel
TroutMagnetMan - YouTube
Regards
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The St. Croix panfish series rods would be my first choice. As for a reel, Daiwa makes all kinds of great spinning reels. Even a high end Shimano or Pfluger would work great.
Located here:Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
https://www.crappie.com/crappie/all-things-ultralight/
If you truly want high end, Alphahawk is the man to talk to. That being said, I fished with a guy a few days ago that had a 6' St. Croix that impressed me. I don't know the model # but the light tip and the parabolic action looked perfect to me.
For Loomis, I suggest either the Trout Series or the Classic Trout Panfish rods. I own rods from each series, and they are excellent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkel
For St. Croix, I suggest an Avid in light or ultra light. I sold an Avid once and still regret it.
That said, I’d pick a JDM rod over Loomis or St. Croix.
I have been down a similar path. Started a few years ago, then I didn't fish much for a few years. Got back into it heavy in March this year. It depends on what size lure you wish to cast. If it's small, say, 1/32 and smaller, a JDM ultralight rod/reel is probably what you seek. Now, choosing that can be very time-consuming. You can do just fine with something inexpensive. I have a Shakespeare micro series rod, 7 ft, that I like a lot of it's dirt cheap. I paid $34 but could have gotten it for a lot less. I also have a B 'n' M, Sam Heaton Super Sensitive, 9 ft. It is actually a jig pole but it casts fine. I have cheap reels on them. A cheap, $30 Lews and a Pfleuger President 20 series for $50. I tend to enjoy long rods, I like to let fish run and enjoy the pull and longer rods are fun. As for JDM, you are probably looking at $450 total MINIMUM for rod n reel. Say, $200 and higher for a rod and $250 and higher for a reel. Just say $500 minimum total. I am in the process of ordering a JDM rod n reel and total is around $600.
On rods, look at the specs. Often written on the rod or see online specs. Recommended lure weight range and recommended line test ratings. For reels, number of bearings and other factors, such as spool size. If you do not care so much for ultralight, you might can spend a little less and even buy American rods. I don't think you'd have to go the JDM route if you are just going to fish for crappie but if you bank fish, you will likely be catching bream and other species. Casting small lures is an issue and JDM is probably something you should look into.
I don't know if they're considered high end or not, most are between $60 -$100, but I'm hearing good things about ACC Crappie Stix. I don't have any first hand knowledge about them, but they seem to be getting good reviews. Most of the rods are out of stock on their website right now, so I'm guessing they're popular (or the supply chain might be broken).
My "high end" rod is St Croix Panfish 6'6" with a Pfluger President on it. Whole combination is around $175
my thought is you need to go hold a rod and make sure it is what it is , what one person likes or does not has nothing to do with your likes or dislikes .
that said there are tons of really good rods for under a hundred bucks , the Dobyns for instance in the colt series is affordable and the panfish special is a real hot rod .
Tica makes some good stuff as well along with norseman esp rods . the BnM 6 foot sharp shooter is real nice too .
the list is somewhat endless and in the end if you break a 150 or more dollar rod it will ruin your day ....
under a hundred cause some tear loss ,but not temper explosions and really foul language associated with the really high end stuff :Rofl
Allstar 5 foot is my dock rod most of the time , 50 bucks , The 6 ft Dobyns is my newest addition to my short open water rods 80 bucks . At 7 ft I have several in the under a 100 buck range , they are prototypes though and not quite like the ones they sell .
My Tica 7 foot is a discontinued rod that is really sweet and it was well under a 100 at the time it was bought .
At 8 foot and up I dont have any that stand out in a large way , go hold rods is the word :highfive
if you cant hold it before you it is yours , dont marry it
Thanks for the advice....I have a loomis bass rod so may give st croix a shot this time around. I seem to be partial to Shimano on the reel and was curious as the best higher end option Shimano I should look at. I have a Metanium bait cast and love it so wanted to try a spin cast this time unless a better reel exists worth a try.
My high end rods are Grandt rods. Lifetime warranty ! I have never had a problem with any of mine. I have broke a couple & they replace them with no questions asked.
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St Croix Panfish all the way. 7 foot. Shooting docks, skipping docks, can cast a 1/32 a long ways with 10lb braid. Very sensitive and caught 1000 crappie last year, countless chunky smallmouth and 2 carp over 25 lbs. Those took awhile to get in. Very sensitive but 75 percent of the time you don't feel the bite anyway, the way they bite.
They are just there. Just my 2 cents. Do want to try the Cashion and Dobyns next though.
i run twin Shimano Saharas at around 80 each , they are real sweet reelsQuote:
Originally Posted by Merkel
I'm running a Stcroix legend elite blank, 7' med lite that was custom built for me. With a Garcia Revo STX size 10. Finest fishing rod I have ever used. Drug a 34 pound yellow cat from under a dock with it two summers ago. Caught her on a 1/8 oz bluetruse spinner jig. And it is SENSITIVE. Do I need a rod like that to fish for crappie? Nope! Do I like using it? Yep
If you would like to get an idea of a “JDM type rod” at a modest cost you could look at the BnM TCB rods. They run you in the 50 dollar range and are a real nice U/L rods. I have the older TSS version and I have a lot of fun with it. Very affordable.
Bob
if your looking at st croix ive had a bunch of em. if your just casting the panfish is good but if your wanting to shoot docks with it my favorite was the st. croix eyecon 6ft, 9 in, medium lite with x-fast tip paired with a shimano sahara or nacl. 1000 size. there's so many good rods out there its ridiculous, who knows what the best is. ive had some 60 dollar rods that felt better in my hand than a 500 dollar one.
LovLove the eyecons. I have 4 for different uses. Wouldn't trade them for another rod out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by murdok
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Ordered a 7' St Croix Panfish exfast action so now on the hunt for a reel. I hear the Daiwa Tatula LT 3000 CXH is great so leaning towards that. Thoughts on the Shimano version to compete with the Diawa as I like Shimano?
Why a 3000? That’s a saltwater reel, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkel
I’d go with the 1000 or 2000.
I was doing some research and some say the larger spool gets line off a little better for dock shooting. I dont know either way but thats why I was looking at the Diawa 3000. How is the Stradic FL compared to the Daiwa?