I fish a 4 weight almost exclusively, but also have a 2 weight that is a joy to cast if there isn't any wind. I got hooked up with a 5 lb. carp on my 2 weight last year and had a good time fighting it. It did the job, but I was very careful not to high stick, and let the reel play the fish a lot. It took quite a while to land it, but I did. I would guess that if the 2 weight will handle a carp, crappie and gills are not a problem. But I don't use it as much because of the wind.