What is the best type of line to use for Crappie fishing?
When fishing for crappie with conventional tackle (aka, not fly fishing), keep in mind that they are not monsters. Very light tackle is the order of the day. In view of that, a good quality monofilament is in order and eight pound test is the highest you should ever need to use use. Two pound test should be sufficient in most circumstances, but just in case it is a keeper bass that takes your bait, well, might as well bring him in as well.
If, on the other hand, you are fly fishing for crappie, your rod and line size must be sized as a combination (as a single unit) to the fish being sought, the wind and water conditions and also to a particular weight of line: larger and heavier line sizes will cast heavier, larger flies. Fly rods come in a wide variety of line sizes, from size #0 or #1 rods for the smallest freshwater trout and panfish. This is what we are looking for.
The only deviation here is accounting for external conditions. Say you are used to using a size #1 rod and line to fish for crappie. But the day turns out to be windy and you have to cast INTO the wind all day. You will want to move up to a size #2 or you will never get the desired presentation.
As an example, when I fly fish in the open on the bay I use a size #5 to size #8 because of the size of the fish and the open water wind conditions. But in a pond area with plenty of wind control from trees, ect., I switch back to my size #1.
