Fishing Q&A

What is the best fishing pole for catching crappie and bass?

I am in need of a new pole, but I don't know what kind to get. I prefer to fish for crapie, but sometime bass as well. I either fish off the bank or on the water. Any help is appreciated.

Public Comments

1. An Ugly Stick by Shakespeare.
2. My husband says to tell you that you don't use the same pole for catching crappie and bass. For crappie, try an ultralight rod and a spinning reel, 4-pound test. For bass, a bait cast reel with a medium to medium-heavy rod with 12 to 16-pound test. I have no idea what I just typed but he is a master tournament fisherman and knows his stuff. Good luck.
3. You CAN use a single rod for both. I have in the past. Get a Medium to Meduim Light action rod, 6'6". Put 8 pound test line and you can catch both species. If you catch a bass, be sure to play it in though or the line will break. It is better to have a seperate rod for each fish, but not necessary. The key though: BUY ANY ROD EXCEPT THE LOUSY PIECE OF CRAP UGLY STICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. I have an Ugly Stick that's around 7 foot tall and another (unsure of name) that is about 6 foot tall. Both are real flimsy and have spinner reels on them. Light mono line about 4 lb test. Rally fun when out on the boat with dad. He uses a fly rod all the time and catch several types of pan fish, but catches crappie a lot with it too by just dipping it under the brush like a cane pole.
5. all star rods
6. I agree, go with an ugly stick.
7. Blazer 1 has a point! Ugly Stik's are great if your on a budget ,(under $40), but they aren't the "best" for Bass fishing. Ugly Stiks have very little "sensitivity". In Bass fishing you need to "feel" the strike. Ugly Stiks are great for inshore saltwater/Heavy "Shiner fishing" for Bass, inexpensive offshore fishing. If you MUST go with Ugly Stik get the Ugly Stik "Lite" series, ($39.99). They are 50% more sensitive and work well for Bass/Redfish. Shimano Convergence($59.99), Fenwick Eagle GT($49.95), Shimano Clarus(69.99) are some better choices for Bass fishing. Ironically, for Crappie I WOULD buy an ultra-light Ugly Stik! Because of their medium-action tip they work well with 'ole "Paper Mouth" Crappie. Esp if you are floating crappie minnows! Hope this helps? Good fishing!
8. 10 1/2ft Trophy Tamer for Crappie. Bass Pro Shops® Wally Marshall™ Signature Series Spinning Rods 6ft 6 in with a Shimano Spirex for Bass
9. For Small fish like crappie and bass you should get a cheap pole like a 20 dollar walmart ugly stik
10. Any medium light rod should do the trick. I would recommend a 6 ft ML rod with a spinning reel with 8lb test line. Should be light enough to throw a curly tail but still nice enough to handle decent size bass.