the two main reels used by Crappie anglers would be the "spincast" reel and the "spinning" reel. Baitcasting reels are used, but mostly for trolling & tightlining. I'll leave them to anglers that use them, to further explain their workings & uses.
Spincast reels ... push button to disengage line holding pin, hold button down to stop line from leaving the reel, release pressure on button to allow line to leave the reel, crank handle to engage reel & retrieve line.
Underspin spincast reels ... curl finger around trigger to disengage line holding pin, upward pressure on trigger stops line from leaving the reel, release trigger to allow line to leave the reel, crank handle to engage reel & retrieve line.
Spinning reels (with trigger) ... curl finger around LINE & TRIGGER, upward pressure on trigger will open bail / finger holds line, release trigger & line to allow line to leave the reel, close bail by hand and turn handle to start retrieving line.
Spinning reels (with manual bail) ... curl finger around LINE, open bail manually with other hand, release line from finger to allow line to leave reel, close bail by hand & turn handle to start retrieving line.
OK ... so much for "mechanics".
These reels are good for most all purposes & methods. They all have their pros & cons. .......... cp