I am looking at buying a new 8 foot jigging rod which do you'll prefer B & M or Pro Angler?
Also does anyone know where any of the old version of the Shakespeare CH10 Crappie Hunter reels
might be. These are the ones that look like a fly reel.

Johnny

PA for me. Very sensitive and good backbone for the hookset. And I can swing that big one in the boat if I decide to.

I've tried several times to like different BnM models, but they all are too flimsy for my liking. Always go back to a PA.

X2. I do like the Sharpshooters though.

I will trade you two b&m or Wally marshals for that Abu we talked about.
Mo

I like how B&M feels and fishes but the guide eyes come out too often. PA would be my pick now.

PA all the way! Hand's down!

PA hands down.

I know I am not the only one here but I have used PA since HAncock and Obier and Proangler came out with them. The do everything I want them to and then some. When I set the hook, the hook is set and the slab is mine.

The price is right too. Won't buy anything else for long pole. As far as shorter rod, I'm not that picky as long as it is strong. I hate whippy rods. Too much lost in hookset to me. But I set the hook on reflex and whippy rods miss too many for my liking.

It's really not a fair comparison between Pro Angler and B'n M. B'n Ms are primarily made for fishing in shallow water because they have little (if any) mid section strength and are extremely parabolic (bend from end to end). Trying to set the hook in 30' of water with a B'n M is dang near impossible. For the lakes and type of crappie fishing we do around here, it's Pro Angler rods all the way.

You notice folks talking about hook set. Most people don't think about how much pressure is being applied to the jig with the rod. Here's two experiments you can do and if you haven't done it before you'll be surprised.
Tie a small weight to the line. Peel off 25 ft and have someone else hold the rod. Place the weight between your thumb and index finger. Have the person holding the rod start applying pressure and bend the rod like a heavy fish is on it. You'll see how easy it is to hold the weight. Next, have the person holding the rod jerk like setting the hook. Again, you'll see how easy it is to hold the weight.
If you have the right kind of scale, you can hook a jig on the scale and peel off 15 ft of line then apply a hook set and see how many lbs of pressure you can apply. You'll be lucky if you can apply 3 lbs of pressure with most rods. Most rods won't apply 2 lbs. Got to remember the fish isn't stationary and starts to move the instant pressure is applied.
That's why I like the Pro Anglers with stiffer back bone. G-Rods and Boneheads likewise have a stiffer backbone.

Fishing is my business and I need a rod that is dependable and does not break.
Have tried others in the past, but Pro angler has been my choice for the last 10 years or so.

Countless fishing trips and I have yet to break one of their rods. I recommend them to all my clients as they deserve the best!

You can't go wrong with the price and service. Ed will take care of you and have your product shipped to you and on your doorstep in a couple of days!

Pro Angler for sure...the 10' will be my next purchase

Wonder how it compares to the 8'

Looks like its going to be Pro Angler for me. Sorry Mo not interested in the B & M however I would
do a 8 foot PA if you had one.

Johnny

I am still fishing with some of the early ProAnglers (Jerry Hancock/Paul Obier Signature Series). I bought a (set of 10) 9 footers years ago when they discontinued that length. They are still my go-to rods for 90% of my vertical jigging. I like being able to reach out a foot further than my partner.
Point is, they last, they're sensitive, and they have the "backbone" everyone refers to. Pay close attention to what Guy and Ken mentioned. Hook set and that backbone(especially med-deep water jigging) are critical for crappie fishing. The PA rods provide both.
I have an 8' Bonehead that won in a raffle and I've been impressed with it as well. I have not personally fished with the G Rods, but have heard good things about them too. The lack of backbone seems to be a very common theme with regards to the BnM.
My