Best Crappie Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
To save you the shopping hassle, we have compiled a list if our top five crappie fishing rod and reel combos that tick all the boxes above and don’t cost a fortune.
1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 comes as an ultralight power spinning rod and reel combo, and sports a graphite and fiberglass construction for low weight and maximum sensitivity. It comes with the Clear Tip design that emphasizes high strength, an ergonomic EVA grip for comfort, and is 4’8’’ long. It also comes with a 5.2:1 gear ratio spinning reel, runs on 3+1 bearings, and features compression bail springs for reel durability.
- Smooth performance.
- Lightweight and sensitive.
- Very durable.
2. Cadence CC5 Spinning Combo
The Cadence CC5 comes as a spinning rod and reel combo, sports a graphite construction, and comes in a range of performance ratings for variety. It comes with double EVA grips, is exceptionally lightweight, and sensitive. It also comes with a high-performance size 1000 to 4000 spinning reel that runs on 8+1 bearings, delivers between 10 to 20lb. of drag, and gear ratios for slow or quick retrieval.
- Very lightweight.
- Varying options for choice.
- Durable, ergonomic design.
3. Lews Fishing MR Crappie Combo
The Lews Mr Crappie combo comes with a light action graphite construction, is 5’6’’ long, and features durable graphite reel seats. It comes in a two-piece configuration for portability, features reinforced stainless steel guides, and a lightweight EVA split grip for comfort and leverage. Its reel features a graphite body and rotor, two bearings, a sleek design, and delivers excellent drag control.
- Excellent sensitivity.
- Very lightweight and durable.
- Excellent reeling control, sleek design.
4. Ugly Stik Crappie Combo
The Ugly Stik crappie combo comes as a spinning rod and reel combo and features a light action rod with the Clear Tip design for improved strength. It comes with all-stainless steel guides, high-grade reel seats, and a dual EVA grip for comfort. The spinning reel features a unique nylon-glass composite, runs on 3+1 bearings, and an anodized aluminum spool for durability.
- Lightweight and tough.
- Highly durable
- Smooth performance.
5. Zebco Crappie Fighter Combo
The Zebco crappie fighter comes as a combo especially suited to jigging and sports a fiberglass construction. It comes with moderate action and medium-light power, is 8’ long, in a two-piece design for portability, and a comfortable EVA grip. Its jigging reel comes with a high-torque 1:1 gear ratio, comes with pre-spooled line, drag control, and is completely ambidextrous.
- Ideal for jigging.
- Lightweight, durable construction.
- Heavy-duty performance, great value for money.
Crappie Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Buying Guide
Crappie is generally considered small fish, and while a good number of traditional combos will work just great, crappie-specific combos will work better. They have been designed with the characteristics of these fish in mind and are also the ideal choice for the angler on a budget.
Our buying guide reviews the best crappie fishing rod and reel combos on the market based on their specified features and tested performance to give you the best options to choose from. We then take it a step further to outline the particular factors you should consider and qualities you should look out for in a crappie fishing rod and reel combo before you make a purchase.
Type
The first step you will want to take is choosing the type of combo you want to go for. But while there are different types of combos, spinning rod and reel combos are generally the preferred choice as they are very convenient to use and still generate more than enough power to handle the crappie’s fight.
Rod Length
The longer the rod, the further you can cast, and the shorter the rod, the more accurate you can cast. Fishing rods for crappie should not be too long. Lengths between 4’ and 7’ are great as they are not very powerful fighting fish. Shorter rods are also more portable.
Reel Drag
The drag of the reel in your crappie combo is another important factor to consider and is a main distinguishing point from other types of reels. The ideal fishing reel for crappie should come with very gentle drag as crappie are relatively small. Anything between 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. is great. The drag setting, however, should never be set above the load capacity of the line as the latter will snap before the reel is forced to turn.
Rod Action and Power
The action and power specifications of the crappie fishing rod are the other important factors to consider. The ideal fishing rod for crappie should come with fast action and light power to balance the short lengths and allow for great sensitivity.
Guide Design
When fishing for crappie light-duty lines and so the design of your fishing rod guides becomes very important. The thin lines are usually rated between 5 to 10 lbs. and are very prone to breakage on wear. For the most durability, your crappie fishing should come with very smooth guides to reduce friction and also improve casting performance.