Anyone have a recommendation for a blank that would make the perfect jig pole for getting Okeechobee crappies out of the thick stuff but still have a sensitive soft tip. Ten ft. preferred. What I'm using now is plenty sensitive, but bends so much that I can't lift large crappies into the boat. Thanks in advance.

From RainShadow we’d recommend the RX7 IST1203 – It’s a salmon graphite blank, it’ll give you the power to lift up from the weeds and is 10ft.
[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

You can also go with the 1204 but that might be a bit too much power.

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

I have been using 10’ 2 piece moderate fast RX7 6wgt fly rods (RX7 IF1006-2) for my crappie jig rods. For the way I fish they are perfect, and we catch a number of crappie over 3 pounds every year. I have built a bunch of these as jig rods for a number of crappie fishermen without any complaints. However, these particular blanks have been discontinued, but have been replaced by the Revelation series. if you want something with a little more backbone a 7 or 8 wgt would give you more lifting power. I have two each of the RX7 10’ 7 and 8 wgts left from the batch I bought several years ago when they went on a close out sale. If you need any let me know.
Norm

John,
The perfect rod to use for this purpose is an appropriate Salmon rod. You can get one with a nice tip, but plenty of backbone to haul them out of the brush.


Another rod that you can look at to get some ideas is the

"tight line" rod that is sold by Bass Pro. [www.basspro.com]

It is a medium heavy rod with a lighter tip and works very well to be able to carry a heavy weigh t to bash down through the brush, but still have the backbone and ability to lift the fish out of the brush.

These are casting rods and work well to just let line off the end of the rod pulling the weight and light jig down with it - without doing any casting.

The RX7 1203 is a very nice blank, I have some of them and they will handle Crappie in trees and thinner brushpiles, the 1204 is perfect for heavy brush and slop. Get you one of each and you are prepared for any thing. When fishing tournaments for Crappie the 1204 is my go to weapon.

Thanks everyone. I now have something to go on and will do a little more research as I have until next winter before I'm back to Okeechobee for several weeks.