Im no crappie expert, but i just picked up a couple cheap 6'6-7 ML-M spinning rods and a couple cheap smaller spinning reels from wal mart. I fish a slip float and minnow or jig so it works for me. If youre gonna drift or vertical jig you might look into the 8-10' rods, but for what little i fish for em my setups work great. I generally catch and clean what we'll eat during the year in the spring when theyre easy to find