Went to the new Academy by me to spend my Father's Day gift card. Got me one of those hats with the flaps over the ears in case I ever get out on a boat this Summer for some trees or brush pile fishing.

Speaking of which, I bought one of the B&M, $15 baitcast reels and a 7' Berkeley jigging pole. I could've gotten a 9' from a different company in MS for about the same price.

1. Should I have gotten the longer pole(already own a Cabela's 8'2" pole)?

2. If I have two poles about a foot difference in length, which pole(in your expert opinions) would you put the spincast reel on and which one would you put the B&M baitcast reel on? Or does it matter?

Any help is appreciated.

Also, I'm off this weekend for anyone who has an open seat to a nearby lake(RR, Lavon, Lewisville, Grapevine) and can help cover costs. I realize this is last minute, but what the hay.

I am taking my dad and son to the Rangers 4th of July game Saturday night, so either day, prefer a half day expedition.

If not, no biggie. Thanks for any help.

Depends on what kind of poles. Medium action, ultra light? I like a baitcaster on a medium action 7 foot rod for bass and I love my 5.5' ultra lite rod with a spincast for crappie. I've tried a 10" crappie rod and I hate em. Used it once then switched back to my short one.

But I would use whichever rod has the lighter action and put the spincaster on it for crappie. I'm sure we'll get some different opinions.

Medium to Light Action. Both poles.

Come on, guys. I figured with all the crappie pros and guides on this forum, I'd get a little more than 1 reply.

I really would like your honest opinions before I break the new pole in, etc.

Please please?

Would have bought a shorter pole. Spincast on shorter pole for casting even though the rod my be alittle long. A 5.6 ft or 6 is better for casting/casting jig and bobber and shotting docks. The bait cast will be good for vertical fishng there just used to hold the line. My 2 cents. Come on rain.

Spincast on the shorter pole and use it for crappie. Save the long one with baicaster for bass fishing where you have to cast a longer distance and hit a precise spot.

Honestly if its not too late I'd return the 7' rod and get an ultra lite 5'6" rod for crappie. But that's just me. I fish vertically for crappie and don't really do any casting other than the dock shooting technique for crappie.

I could be wrong but I dont think any of the guides on here would tell you to buy an ultra lite pole unless you are wonting to play the fish for a little more action. There like fishing with a noodle. Nothing aginst it I just dont like them and have a few . Just my 2 cents.

I'd be interested to hear what the guides have to say and everyone else too. We talk a lot about fishing spots and depth and sinking bush and how many we caught but not much about rod and reel. What are the rest of you guys and gals using?

Put the baitcaster on the longer rod and the spincaster on the shorter. I only use longer (10') poles for trolling and they alll have baitcasters on them. I use 8' poles (med action) with baitcasters for fishing standing timber. The poles that are my everyday go-to sticks are my 7' St. Croix in med lite action with spinning reels on them. They are used mainly for brushpile, points, and ledge fishing. I changed to St. Croix poles about 6 months ago, and have never looked back. They simply have the best action that I've ever used for crappie fishing....and I've used a bunch of different ones. Hope this helps.

I prefer my Wally Marshall 7 foot signature series. It is not an ultra light by anymeans. I prefer to put my own action on the jig and not have the rod doing it on it's own. I also like the heaverier rod for getting a good hook set and landing more fish. When I get a fish up to the boat/dock it's coming out whether it's a 10in fish or a 2lb fish. I cant do that with a "ultra light". I have several B&M's and they are a very fast action with a light tip. I like them but I dont like to net fish so I dont use em as much as I used to. I also use a baitcaster 95% of the time. I rarely feel the urge to cast any further than I could just pitch the jig anyhow.

Most important thing I have now is I found a truly great line. I have been using trilene XL (extra Limp) in 8 and 10#. It's the best line I have ever used. Thanks for the tip on the line Guy.

it also depends on the reels themselves, what baitcast reel, a small crappie style, abu garcia bla bla, vs your spincast reel ( zebco 202 ), unless your actually talking about a spinning reel, big difference in reels from spinning and spincast, plus the different style rods that will be used, my opinion on the rod is in general, i use shorter rods, 5.5 to 7.o, for casting, and longer rods for drop fishing,

I would say try them one way, then try them the other way, and see what you like the best.
The B&M baitcasting reel, and most crappie baitcasters, are not, IMO, great for casting to begin with. Better for short pitches and vertical jigging or trolling. Both would be fine for the trees and brush piles that you mentioned.
Tight lines and many thumps!

Thank you, Guy, exactly what I was looking for and the advice is duely taken.

Guys, appreciate the input, but I'm not worried about 5'6" poles and such. Mainly talking about jigging vertical trees/piles out on a boat and how to rig the longer poles (7'-9') with which reels and whether me purchasing the 7' pole(versus the 9' one) was better for deep water jigging.

Buying that crazy long 9' pole which is a little harder to handle and more bulky just didn't seem like an option when I headed to the new Academy by me, which is a very nice store.

Even bought the Megellan hat with the flaps covering the ears for about 12 bucks.

Brian, thanks again too. I'll check into the Berkley 'extra limp', though I prefer 6-8lb line, depending on whether I'm slip or fishing on the boat, along with amount of cover that I'm fishing.

Mark and Jeff, we'll need to hook up sometime for some thumpin'. Thanks for your inputs as well.

Also,

I didn't buy the cheap, B&M baitcase reel for 'casting'. I got plenty of Garcias and Shimanos for that on baitcast rods if I ever get in the mood for trash fish.

To all, this is all I wanted. Some unbiased replies from experienced folks, which helps me be a better crappie fisherman.

Thank you again.

Don't believe everything you hear-I have a few Falcon and St Croix UL's that haved hauled in many 15 in. Crappie.

Thoughs are 2 poles that I bet have alot of graphite and are alot stiffer then cheper poles. Got to love lots of graphite.

Thanks RTL. I agree with everything you said, except I'm not sustained to spincast reels, though I like them and have that currently on my 8-footer. I bought a 7-footer and may just switch the B&M baitcast and spincast reels.

Like you and others, I have 1 SlabMeSilly custom 5'6" rod with a B&M fly reel for the slips, couple of ultralight 5'6"-6' spincast combos for shooting/pitching docks, and now the two longer set ups for piles, trees, and bridge pillars.

Yeah, most if not ALL of my different size rods are graphite or have some high percentage of graphite in them. I like the sensitivity/strength graphite provides and never buy the cheaper material poles(forgot what the material is called, but it's junk).

I don't use spincast, it's spinning reels I use. Don't like spincast the line hangs up, I like my line free like on a baitcast or spinning reel.

Lost me there, but ok. LOL

Guess I shouldn't have used the term "spincaster"....my bad. I use open face spinning reels (Pfluger and Shakesphere).

Since both have the word "Spin" in them it does get confusing.
Spincast = Zebco33
Spinning Reel = Open face/with wire bail

Exactly. I was meaning the latter(Spinning reel).

I'll try to remember that next time. Now I need to go switch up the reels per Guy's advice and put the B&M baitcast on the 8-footer and the spinning reel on the the 7-footer.

If I understood correctly.

Thanks again all.

One of the best things I've done is to set up a couple of
" brushpile " rigs. 8 ft rod , 20lb hi-vis braid ,
750 series shimano reels. I can fish the brush , get hung
up every few minutes , but only lose about one jig per
3-4 trips. I use matou sickle hooks which are very sharp,
and will bend and rebend several times before breaking.
Sure beats retying a new jig every 5 minutes. I no longer
fear the brushpile, I embrace it. After a little practice
you can feel the brush, and avoid most hang-ups. ( the
braid helps here also).

back to your question , take the casting reel back, put
spinning reels on both rods.



MO