The Reel Deal by Brad Wiegmann

Let’s get real. There are only four types of reels you can use when you go crappie fishing. You can use a spincast, baitcasting, spinning, and fly fishing reel.


The reel deal is crappie anglers use multiple rods and need lots of fishing reels to put on their rods. Which reel they use depends on what technique and fishing rod they are using although there are some techniques that allow crappie anglers to use whatever reel they want. It’s not as difficult as it seems as cost and availability often decides which reel they will use.



Fly fishing reels manufactured by fly fishing companies are seldom used by crappie anglers. Companies like Orvis or Redington at thousands of dollars and large oversized spools are not needed for crappie fishing and impractical. However, some crappie anglers do use reels that are similar to a fly reel, but actually designed for crappie fishing like B’n’M Poles Quick-Change Crappie Reel, Quick Change Reel-Vertical Mount, Buck’s Best Ultralight Crappie Reel Universal Pole Reel, Buck’s Best Ultra Lite Crappie Reel 2 and West Point Crappie Reel.


“Most crappie anglers fishing in 10 foot or less of water and dropping jigs like to use mini-reels like B’n’M Poles Buck’s Mini-reel or Buck’s Best Ultra Lite Crappie Reel,” professional crappie angler and B’n’M Poles pro staffer John Harrison from Weston, Louisiana, continued, “These reels are not for casting, but more of a line holder. If you need more line out you simply just pull it out against the drag to get more.”


Spincast reels are by far the easiest fishing reel to use. These reels are commonly used by novice or young anglers just learning to fish. A spincast reel has a cover that covers the face of the reel keeping everything protected and in place. To engage a spincast reel you press down on a thumb button on the back of the reel when moving the rod forward which will let out line casting a lure or live bait. It’s normally not used by seasoned crappie anglers, however, there is under-spin trigger reels that like B’n’M Poles West Point Trigger Reel that are popular with some crappie anglers that are actually a spincast reel, but designed to be attached to the underside of the rod.


It’s also worthy to note the original Zebco 33 which is a popular spincast reel with beginning anglers now has several styles of spincast reels available. Prices vary according to the model with inexpensive models to the top of the line Zebco Bullet MG that retails at just under $140.


The other two options are baitcasting and spinning reels for crappie anglers. Both are great choices. Again there are advantages to both styles.


Baitcasting reels are the most difficult to control for a novice crappie angler, however, with an experienced angler it can be used for extremely accurate placement of a lure or live bait. Novice or expert sooner or later an angler fishing with a baitcasting reel will make a mistake and the result will be a bird’s nest. Anglers commonly use heavier fishing line with a baitcasting reel, but crappie anglers will use lightweight line and braid with these reels.


“I actually have 6 or 8 of the Buck’s Mini-Reels that look like a small baitcasting reel I use all the time,” Harrison continued, “They are perfect for shallow lakes and super lightweight so you can fish with them all day without getting tired from a heavy rod and reel combo.”






Spinning reel is by far the most popular reel in crappie fishing when it comes to spider rigging or long-lining. It’s also the easiest to use for most crappie anglers; in addition to being lightweight and can cast lightweight lures long distances. Like a baitcasting reel anglers will use monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid fishing line on a spinning reel.


“Most of the rods I’m fishing with have a B’n’M Pole 75^th Anniversary spinning reel. Those reels are the best spinning reels they make with 7+1 Ball Bearings and a 4.9:1 gear ratio,” Harrison continued, “They are also a great reel at an affordable price.”Harrison noted that B’n’M Pole 75^th Anniversary Reels and other B’n’M Poles are available at Grizzly Jig Company online or at their store in Caruthersville, Missouri.