Wintertime Crappie Fishing Rods

With winter gripping most of the northern part of the US, the Southern states are getting their first real cold fronts of the season. For some, that means fishing can come to a grinding halt, but for others, that signals crappie season.

Whether you call them crappie, speckle perch, white perch or sac-a-lait, they can be a blast to catch and even better to eat. No, they are not terribly difficult to catch but that is even more reason to use crappie fishing to introduce kids to the sport. With crappie fishing and the holidays often overlapping, it’s the perfect time to build a few ultra-light rods, grab some jigs and a bucket of minnows, and enjoy quality family time on the water. I can assure you the memories made will be best gift of the season!

This blog is a fun one. We are going to dive into building our favorite crappie rods, celebrate fishing with family and even give you the secret sauce recipe from Terry “Big Show” Scroggins for your next fish fry!

Finding Crappie

The best way to find when and where the crappie are biting, it to enlist the help of an "ole timer". I mean that in a positive way. Check with your grand-dad or a friend's grand-dad, and I bet they will have some valuable information to pass along. Just make sure you take them fishing with you and be ready for them to out-fish you. The gentleman in the header photo is Thomas Williams and was a crappie king here in Florida. He caught'em and sold his jigs all over the state. Hand delivering boxes of up to 100-dozen to tackle shops around Lake Okeechobee. Thomas's grand-son, Scott, is a good friend of mine and carries on the tradition of tying his famous grand-dad's jig with the original Myti-Mite cards.  Here is a great photo from the Williams's family photo album of a young Scott with a Slab and the jigs Scott still ties. 

If you are going to venture out on your own, more often than not they like to be around cover. You might catch them in 2 feet of water or in 12 feet of water but they will be on docks, brush piles or even grass lines. Most of my success has been on brush piles and docks. If you are on public water keep a look out for fish attractors your local department of wildlife might have put out or if you are on private water, make your own brush piles from Christmas trees, bamboo piles or crape myrtle trimmings.

Building for Crappie

Part of what makes crappie fishing so much fun is the tackle. Ultra-light rods, small spinning reels and 2lb-6lb line makes the perfect setup. Of course, you can find this at your local Wal-Mart but since you are reading this blog, we know that is not how you roll.

I have a couple blank options that I have fished extensively, both in one-piece and their multi-piece options. Having a rod that you can easily carry on family vacations to visit the in-laws is an absolute must. 

S661-MHX

The first blank is the S661 from MHX. It is exactly what you think of when you think ultra-light. It is a mere 5’6” and feels like a feather in hand but it is far from fragile. This rod blank is perfect for pitching small crappie jigs around cover and makes a great rod a young angler. Here is Taylor Belinger out on the pontoon with family catching crappie on the S661 with a minnow tipped jig. 

Specifications: 5'6" | 2-6 lb. | 1/32 - 3/16 oz. | Fast Action | Ultra-Light Power

For the components, you can go from mild to wild but I feel it is best to stay in budget. Honestly, the lightest guides we have are the SSR guides. They are stainless frame with stainless rings so they are virtually indestructible and kid friendly! 

S842-MHX

Staying in the same family the next blank is a great option if you are throwing a float with a minnow. The S842-MHX adds some length and bumps up one power. Just as the 1-Power is an ultra-light this 2-Power is a light but is incredibly versatile. Plus, this blank comes in 14 metallic colors! 

Specifications: 7'0" | 4-8 lb. | 1/16 - 5/16 oz. | Fast Action | Light Power

I like the 7-footer when fishing a float because it give you a little extra room when casting a slip bobber, weight and live minnow. From casting to setting the hook this longer rod give excellent line pickup to be sure to drive the hook home. 

As with true ultra-lights angler will opt for a size 500 or 1000 spinning reel but moving to the S842 you open up the option to go to a 2000 or 2500 size reel. I think have all had that unexpected bass eat the lure intended for a crappie and this rod can that surprise catch.  

For my guides I like the LZR guide set and love that gunsmoke color! My handle selection might throw some of you for a loop but I really like the Tennessee handle option and I use either slip rings or simply electrical tape. The full cork Tennessee provides a classic look but more importantly allows the angler to place the reel at any point along the cork to adjust the rear length and even the balance point. 

If you are having trouble choosing your components fr the S842, we created a complete rod kit as it is such a popular blank!

S871-2-MHX

As an honorable mention, there is a blank that is an ultra-light but only available in a 2-piece but you would never know it is a multi-piece when fishing it. The S871-2 is in the spinning family and has a slightly different action than the two others above. It is listed as a moderate but I feel it is closer to moderate-fast and very crisp feeling. 

Specifications: 7'3" | 2-6 lb. | 1/32 - 3/16 oz. | Fast Action | Moderate Power

Pictured Thomas Williams Bass 1/8oz Jigalo jig. 

I throw larger crappie jigs, small rattle traps or a double jig rig. Instead of just one 1/16oz crappie jig, I tie two on about 12-14 inches apart. You think one slab crappie pulls, if you have two on, you had better hang on. 

As I mentioned, keeping a 2-piece in your arsenal around the holidays is a must. I have been lucky enough to travel to many different bodies of water and this S871-2 can catch a fish almost anywhere. In addition to crappie, we have landed smallmouth in Wisconsin, spotted bass in Alabama, rainbow and brown trout in North Carolina and even peacock bass in South Florida. 

Catch. Clean. Cook.

Now the real reason we crappie fish, for the fish fry! After braving the cold and creating unforgettable memories on the water, it’s time for the family to come together and celebrate with a warm, hearty meal. Heat the grease.