You cannot beat the southern crappie rod. We regularly catch 6 to 10 lb stripers in Murray and I caught a 15 to 17 lb blue cat on one a couple week ago. If the pocket book can afford the price start with 14 footers and you want have to change later on when you get more proficient at spider rigging. You can start with as as few as you want and add more. The norm for spider riggin is 8 rods per person. Southern crappie rods place is by Charlotte. Check him out and don't listen to anybody that says b&m are just as good.