You can take virtually any rod and reel on the planet and manage to bring a few fish to the dock on any given day. But with certain fish, like crappie, having the right rod can mean the difference between grinding your way to a few fish and having a banner day on the lake.
The best rod action for crappie fishing is medium to medium-fast for most anglers. But, depending on the way you fish and the conditions you’re fishing in, you might find that a rod with faster action is ideal.
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Read on as we cover everything you’ll want to know about the best rod action for crappie fishing, and we’ll share some tips for selecting the ideal rod for you for your next crappie trip.
Why Medium to Medium-Fast is Ideal for Crappie Fishing
Rod action defines the point on the rod where it bends when pressure is applied, and it also affects the characteristics of the rod. When pressure is applied, faster rods bend higher on the rod blank, while slower rods bend more evenly across the rod.
Compared to a rod with faster action, medium to medium-fast rods don’t transfer motion from the angler to a fish quite as freely. This allows the angler to somewhat delicately set the hook on crappie to ensure a solid hookup. Medium rods also provide substantial shock absorption throughout the fight, which helps prevent crappie from ripping their way off the hook.
Crappies are often called paper mouths because of the thin membrane that makes up the sides of their mouth. With the wrong rod, you’ll undoubtedly lose tons of slab crappies every time you go fishing. If you don’t rip the hook from the fish’s mouth on the hookset, most of the larger fish in the lot will manage to tear their way free as you retrieve.
Choosing between a medium and medium-fast rod is entirely a matter of preference. A medium-fast rod will bend higher up on the blank and provide greater sensitivity to help you detect delicate bites from crappie. The trade-off is that you’ll sacrifice some casting distance, and they don’t absorb as much shock when you have a fish on.
Of course, it’s entirely possible to use a rod with fast or even extra fast action for crappie fishing. In fact, some anglers prefer these rods over a medium or medium-fast model. There’s something to be said for the unparalleled feel that these rods provide.
To fish a fast rod for crappie, you’ll need an incredible amount of finesse and precision to avoid losing fish. Most anglers find that they’re willing to sacrifice some sensitivity if it means they can land more fish with a slower rod.
Related article: Ideal rod length for crappie
The Pros and Cons of Different Rod Action
So much of fishing boils down to personal preference. When targeting crappie, some anglers prefer to fish with a faster rod, while others gravitate towards slower models. The best way to select the right crappie rod for you is to understand how different rod action affects the characteristics of the rod.
| Rod Action | How it Affects the Rod |
| Extra Fast | – 15–25% rod bend – Highest sensitivity – Strongest hookset – Least casting distance |
| Fast | – 20–30% rod bend – High sensitivity – Strong hookset – Mediocre casting distance |
| Medium Fast | – 25–35% rod bend – Good sensitivity – Solid hookset – Decent casting distance |
| Medium | – 30–40% rod bend – Moderate sensitivity – Decent hookset – Good casting distance |
| Medium Slow | – 35–45% rod bend – Mediocre sensitivity – Mediocre hookset – Excellent casting distance |
| Slow | – 50% or more rod bend – Worst sensitivity – Worst hookset – Most casting distance |
The Ideal Power and Action Combination for Crappie Fishing
The action is only half of the equation when choosing a crappie rod. Rod power also affects the characteristics of a rod, and it shouldn’t be overlooked when selecting a crappie outfit.
Rod power refers to how much force is required to bend the rod according to its action rating. The lighter the rod, the less pressure it takes to bend and vice versa.
Heavier rods are typically the tools of saltwater anglers targeting large gamefish when you need a powerful hookset and tackle that’s going to withstand an aggressive strike from a predatory fish.
Bringing that kind of tackle crappie fishing is like carrying a gun to a knife fight. If you can manage to feel the faint bite of a crappie, you’ll rip the hook clean from its mouth on every hookset.
Lighter power rods provide the sensitivity and finesse crappie fishing requires. The trade-off with lighter rods is they don’t cast quite as far as heavier ones, but it’s something most crappie anglers can live with.
With lighter rods, anglers can also consider using a rod with faster action, which offers the greatest sensitivity for a crappie angler. The most popular outfits for crappie anglers are a light rod with moderate to moderate-fast action or ultralight rods with fast action.
Related article: The perfect depth for crappie fishing
Related Questions
Can I use a fast rod for crappie fishing?
You can use a fast rod for fishing for crappie, and these rods provide the best sensitivity of any crappie rod. But, you’ll need to be extra careful when setting the hook and fighting a fish, or you’ll end up losing more fish than you catch.
What is the best rod power for crappie fishing?
Most anglers prefer ultralight or light rods when crappie fishing because they offer the most sensitivity and allow for a delicate hookset. Fishing with an ultralight outfit is essential with faster rod action, as it helps provide additional shock absorption when fighting a fish.
I’m losing too many fish; which rod should I use?
If you find that you’re losing too many fish as you reel in or when you set the hook, this is usually a sign that you’re either being too aggressive or using a rod that isn’t light enough for crappie fishing. Start by adjusting your technique to be more relaxed. If that doesn’t work, consider a light or ultralight rod with medium to medium-fast action.
