Taking a new reel out of the package create anticipation. You run your thumb over the spool and check drag. Does it have a good drag?
Do I think the gears will functions or fail? Mr. Crappie has gained an online presence for producing good looking but relatively inexpensive tackle. Will these reels fish or are they simply good looking packaging?
Reviewing Mr. Crappie Reels For Quality
Unboxing and First Impressions
Tests was conducted in small rivers and ponds around home. It wasn’t about brute force but rather accuracy. Fishing for crappie is very technical, and a sticky drag or a poorly balanced spool will cost you fish.
We wanted to see if this brand lived up to name. You will first notice that it is light. Every ounce count when keeping rod in position to avoid getting tired.
Lightweight Design for Panfish
Making delicate presentations will not tire your arms. The reel seem flimsy but that lightness matches shy panfish. Don’t rely on heavy to mean strong.
Smooth Drag System Performance
Trust the engineering. Cheap reels often fail at drag system. Mr. Crappie doesn’t.
It’s consistantly smooth without the kind of stutter you find on budget models. Even when tested with tension, the drag engage evenly. This matter because crappie have tender mouths.
A gritty drag tear the hook out. A smooth drag allow the fish to suck the bait down and hold on tight. That little bit of mechanics increase your landing rate.
Spool Design and Casting
The spool is wide and shallow. The spool is pretty shallow with a wide profile. It’s good for lighter lines such as six-pound test.
A narrow spool can lead to line memory and casting hiccups, but the wider surface area keep the line laying flat. For the price point, it had an impressiv amount of casting distance. The reels also allowed lures to glide out without any tangles.
Build Quality and Durability
One compromise is that while handle isn’t super tight on certain models, it doesn’t impact performance. It chips easy when dropped (what do you expect from budget gear?). It’s made with a compromise…
You’re paying for function over luxurius materials. The give-and-take is that you’ll get some small imperfection while enjoying solid lightweight performance. They are what they are The reels perform as advertised.
Final Verdict for Crappie Fishing
For the money and when targeting Panfish and specifically crappie, you can’t go wrong with them. They cast well, reel smoothly and do a nice job. However if you are going out fishing big water on big salties, don’t expect them to hold up.
But if you fish small river systems, ponds, etc., they will work fine. And losing one would of hurt so much because they aren’t too pricey. If you have Mr. If you have Crappie reels in your tackle box, more power to ya.
Even though they’re not the best reel ever made, they certainly get the job done. And that say something because sometimes it proves you don’t need most expensive stuff. There is good tackle out there and these reels does the trick consistantly.
