Which spinning reel?

[marku]

Good to be on the site..I'm new to crappie fishing so some basic questions. I'm planning to use 4 lb and/or 6lb mono with a medium light fast action rod. Any problems with using a Team Lou Custom Pro 2000 spinning reel?

[warhawk]

I stumbled across an Okuma RTX 25. It’s a nice reel, and super light weight. I liked it so well that now I have 4 or 5 of them in size 25 and 30. They run a little smaller than most, by the size number. The bad part is that they are discontinued, but still lots of them on EBay.

[CrappiePappy]

How long is the rod ?

Does the reel balance the rod ? (If you're considering using the outfit to cast with)

What method are you intending to use with this outfit ?

(*what I mean by "balance the rod" is ... if you can stick your finger out and place the rod/reel on that finger at the very front end of the handle & it will balance there. If the rod drops quickly towards the handle end or tip end, it's not balanced. But, if it slowly tilts towards the handle end, that's OK. You just don't want the rod to tilt fast towards the tip end, as that would result in excess pressure on your wrist & forearm with any sustained time of use. If it's "slowly" tilting towards the tip end, then you might get away with using it ... but any rapid drop towards the tip end is a red flag that the reel isn't heavy enough to counter balance the length of the rod.)

[marku]

How long is the rod ?

Does the reel balance the rod ? (If you're considering using the outfit to cast with)

What method are you intending to use with this outfit ?

(*what I mean by "balance the rod" is ... if you can stick your finger out and place the rod/reel on that finger at the very front end of the handle & it will balance there. If the rod drops quickly towards the handle end or tip end, it's not balanced. But, if it slowly tilts towards the handle end, that's OK. You just don't want the rod to tilt fast towards the tip end, as that would result in excess pressure on your wrist & forearm with any sustained time of use. If it's "slowly" tilting towards the tip end, then you might get away with using it ... but any rapid drop towards the tip end is a red flag that the reel isn't heavy enough to counter balance the length of the rod.)

I haven't bought the rod yet but considering St Croix Premier 6'6" Spin, med lite, fast. So I don't know if they balance but agree this its important to check out somehow. I'll be fishing from shoreline and boat at Fox River Chain of Lakes and Clinton Lake in Illinois. I expect to be doing vertical jig, casting, drifting with small plastic baits, and using slip and fixed bobbers. Any rod/reel combination I finally decide on would be exclusively for crappie fishing so Id consider a different combination if it gets the job done, especially if it saves $.

[Proud_Dad]

I'm not familiar with the Team Lou spinning reel you asked about, but would add the Pflueger President 25 or 30 models as ones to consider. We have several of them on our poles and really like them. Have had wipers hit hard and give the drag a good test and handle things just fine. Seems to be a good reel for the money. Best wishes and have fun on the water!

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I'm not familiar with the Team Lou spinning reel you asked about, but would add the Pflueger President 25 or 30 models as ones to consider. We have several of them on our poles and really like them. Have had wipers hit hard and give the drag a good test and handle things just fine. Seems to be a good reel for the money. Best wishes and have fun on the water!

I also like my new President 25 models, so smooth and quality. I have them on my 10 ft BnM Russ Bailey Signature Series 10 ft rods.

[hambandit]

X3 on the presidents for a quality spinning reel for the money.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I also have some LEWS Mr Crappie speed shooter spinning reels Model WMSS100 that are also nice and priced around $30.00.

[Dollfly]

x4 on the President 25 smooth and dependable.

[BobC]

I wish I could add to the above suggestions, but I can’t. I have a 20 size Pflueger President and have been very pleased with the reel. Good value. Balance is critical. Make sure that is right.
Bob