With all the advances in fishing equipment available today, I like to keep it simple when it comes to crappie fishing. I prefer a seven-foot ultra-light spinning rod. I find it is easier to cast light jigs and small lures with a longer rod. “Pitching” or dropping lures into precise locations is easier as well. When you have a fish on and it takes you into brush or weeds, the longer rod gives you the leverage to pull that fish out.
As far as spinning reels, any high-quality reel with infinite anti-reverse will work. For line, I am a huge fan of Berkeley FireLine Crystal. I like to use 10 lb. test, which has the same diameter of 4 lb. monofilament line. The sensitivity of FireLine is incredible. The ability to use a higher pound test line is more than handy when pulling fish out of heavy cover or when your lure gets hung up. Most of the time I will tie my lure directly to the FireLine. However, if the water is very clear or when using live bait, I like to use a small barrel swivel (#8) to attach a 24-inch piece of fluorocarbon leader to the FireLine. I use a barrel swivel to join the two because it helps prevent line twist and does not allow your jig to spin like a helicopter when suspended below a float.
