Looking down my list of rods, if I had to pick a crappie setup...It really depends on the technique or lures I plan on using. Most crappies are typical small at about 9-10" in length. However when you start getting into 12" and up, they tend to be quite some tanks. Typically the flesh of the 9-10" fish have a much cleaner taste and firmness.
At the top pick I have two rods I pretty much designate for crappie/bobber rig fishing.
Shimano Crucial 6'10" ML dropshot spinning rod
Shimano Crucial 6'10" MH dropshot spinning rod
For most applications, the ML spinning rod can do it pretty much all. The MH heavy rod is primary a big bobber rod of typical 1/2 oz. weight. Or for jig heads of 1/4 oz. to 1/2 oz. in weight. to get down deep to where the crappies are hugging bottom in river current.
I have three 6' spiinning rods from St. Croix.
Premier 6' Light.
Legend Elite 6' Light
Legend Elite 6' Medium Light.
These rods are very suited for finessing when required. Typical lures I toss with them are 1/32 oz to 1/4 oz. in weight. Of which most lures are in the 1/8 oz. weight. Typical inline spinners to kastmaster spoons. Jigs on beetle spin rigs. In more recent years, I've used also metal blade baits, lipless cranks like Yo-Zuri and Eurotackle Z-Vibers, and tail spinners from Major Craft Jigpara tail spinners. I still like to use minnow baits, especially those from Yo-Zuri Pins Minnows as well as Salmo Stingers.
About five years ago. I wanted to get a little more casting distance and went with some Shimano Zodias spinning rods.
Zodias 7' Light
Zodias 7'6" Light
Zodias 7' Medium Light
On paper specs the Zodias rods sounds great. As for crappie/panfish fishing, they're a little too much. For White bass fishing, they handle very well. I suppose they are sort of large mouth bass rods in design, so a little more power down onto the rod. That does make the rod load a bit progressive when you're on a hot white bass bite.
