Thanks for the input Norm. I've come to realize the diversity in different crappie rods. The only one I have is a 9' rod for dropping.
I was really looking for a rod to have when someone wants a crappie rod...totally clueless here.
Since its just a rod to sell...not really custom, I'm looking to keep the cost down...somewhat.
I see alot of crappie rods with stainless steel guides, I have made several rods with SS guides and think there ok,
Any thoughts on guides?

Kendall...I'm saving the Torzite guides for myself!
As for lighter equals more sensitivity...your opening Pandora's box there.

Most crappie rods have very light tips. So in order to keep the rod as responsive as possible, light guides are a must. Almost all of the crappie rods I build use SS ringed guides. I previously used PacBay Minima guides, but they became very difficult to get, so I moved over to the SeaGuide SS ringed guides with the Adaman coating. These guides are actually lighter than the Minima guides or the CRB SSR guides. For runners I normally use a size 4. However, if bobber stops are going to be used I may move up to a size 5 or even a size 6 runner depending on what the person using the rod wants.
Many crappie fisherman prefer long rods (8’ to 12’) because they can be used not only for vertical jigging but also for long distance casting of lures as well as casting a long pegged float rig. I’ve used steel head blanks as well as fly rod and switch rod blanks for these longer rods. Others prefer shorter UL to ML rods from 6’ to 7’6”, and there are a number of options for these rods including the traditional UL to ML blanks, as well as, popping blanks and even light hotshot blanks. Then there is another important option which concerns action. Some like a very soft moderate action blanks while others prefer a fast to extra fast action blank. Finally, cost is also important, some don’t care how much a rod costs, but others are much more budget minded. Because of all these different options it becomes very difficult to recommend the perfect crappie blank, unless you know exactly what a person wants.
Norm

Thanks again Norm...good stuff.
One more thing....could you expound a little bit on the handles?
I realize that will also be all over the board.
I'm specifically looking for length...say from the butt to the middle of the reel seat.
I typically see longer lengths...and many are full cork (not split)..thoughts?

Based on the last two times I've been out, if you're looking for crappie in the 13 - 15" range build yourself a rod on an NFC MB 666 IM blank, put a Curado 150 MGL reel on it, fill the reel with 15# Tatsu, tie on a 3/8 oz Jackhammer chatterbait in ghost green gizzard shad, and dress it with a 4" pearl white Caffine shad. It's money. lol

Oh, and you'll want to be fishing over tapering weed lines in 4 - 6' of water. The crappie I've been catching have been bigger than all but two of the bass I caught. LOL

Chris - Again handle length is a personal thing. On long rods that are being used primarily for vertical jigging, many people want a long fore grip (7”-12”) because they will hold the rod in front of the reel for better balance. In this case, the rear grip is short or the the reel seat is at the very end of the rod, similar to a fly rod. For those who want long rods for casting and retrieving, as well as for vertical jigging, they like a handle with both a rear grip and a fore grip of about equal length (7”-8”). This gives them the leverage they need for two hand casting, plus the option of using the fore grip when vertical jigging. For the shorter rods used exclusively for casting and retrieving the handle length is as long or as short as the person likes, and the foregrip is usually very short or not used Some like full length handles and others prefer split grips. I personally like cork or carbon fiber split grips utilizing IPS or VSS17 reel seats with a hidden thread hood. To me they are very comfortable and seamless. I use the NFC soft touch and regular carbon fiber IPS and VSS grips. I make my own cork IPS grips using the Fuji BGS25C IPS cork adaptor to which I glue on cork rings and then turn down. This enables me to make the grip any length I want, either full length or split grip.
So, like all other types of handle personal preference rules.
Norm

Norm again - good stuff.
Thanks for your detailed reply's.