For Crappie fishing .... baitcasters are generally used for various trolling methods, like Spider Rigging, longline trolling, etc. The weights used for casting are usually much too light to be effective with a baitcast reel. They're usually used on long rods that are placed in a rod holder system, and simply used to hold line (of higher pound test than used for casting). Those with thumbars or "flippin switches" are coveted because you can release line under control (thumb on spool) when fishing shallower than the length of the rod and swinging a fish towards the boat or net.
For casting heavier baits, like what you'd use for Bass, a baitcast reel is generally used because it can hold heavier pound test line and it can be "set" to allow the line to come off the reel "slower" than a spinning reel (because of the magnetic brakes & tension setting knob that spinning reels don't have).
Best way I can describe using a baitcast reel is to tighten the brakes & tension knob down to start with ... then as you gain confidence in "how" to cast with it ... you can loosen those a little at a time until you reach a setting that allows you to cast your bait a reasonable distance without any backlash. "How" you cast makes a lot of difference, in that you don't start out casting them with your wrist and you don't snap cast with them. It's more of a smooth motion with the arm, followed by a straightening of the wrist (as the last motion). "When" you release your thumb from the spool is also a major part of it, in that you take your thumb off the spool about halfway through the casting motion ... unlike releasing the line over 3/4 of the way through the casting motion when using a spinning reel.
If you're getting backlashes, even with your thumb feathering the spool during the cast, then your tension & brake settings are too light. Most say push the button and let the bait fall at a rate that the spool stops turning as soon as the bait hits the ground. I find even that to be too loose for beginners. I'd tighten up the brakes/tension knob to where the bait has to be "pulled on" to get the spool to turn ... then try casting with it. If you get no distance, loosen the tension knob just a hair & try again ... repeat as necessary until you get good distance without a backlash. If it has a magnetic brake system, leave it set at least 1/2 - 3/4 of the way to it's tightest setting. Use the tension knob on the side of the reel (usually under the handle) to slow the spool's rotation.
The lightest bait I would try to cast with a baitcast reel would be 1/4oz (a practice plug or a crankbait w/o hooks will work).
If all else fails and you don't want to keep the reel, you can put it up for sale on the Personal Classifieds Forum. Being it's never actually been fished with for any length of time and only a couple years old, and depending on brand & model, you should expect to get at least 3/4 of the original price for it (plus s/h if you have to mail it to the buyer).