7 Best Crappie Reels – Review & Guide

Those anglers who love catching delicious fish often look for crappies to catch. Crappies are not only delicious but also very nutritious and fun to fish. But what if you don’t have the right fishing gear?

Well, this is something that needs your attention! This is because inappropriate equipment yields less productive results.

I am concluding the seven best Crappie reels that help you catch Crappie fish.  Let us, without wasting any more time, look at the options we have below.

7 Best Crappie Reels

The guide talks about the seven best Crappie reels that are known for their accuracy and fineness in catching fish. We have described the reels in detail below and mentioned each and every feature and specification of the reel so you can have an idea of what reel will provide you with what traits.

1. Penn Battle III Crappie Spinning Reel

Initiating our guide with one of the best spinning reels that are ideal for catching Crappie fish, the Penn Battle III Spinning Reel. With outstanding smoothness, better durability, and an attractive look, this Penn Battle Reel is not only a stylish reel but also something more than what you need. It uses proprietary CNC-cut gears in its manufacturing, making it ultimately the smoothest of all reels on our list.

The black and gold design adds to the look of the reel and ensures you can enjoy fishing with style. If you can spend some extra money and can comfortably purchase an expensive reel for catching Crappie fish, this one would be the best choice for you. Except for being expensive, there is nothing that can resist you to purchase it.

Moreover, the presence of carbon fiber drag systems makes sure you can use them not only in freshwater but also in salt water without affecting their gears, as they are well protected. Plus, the inbuilt five stainless steel ball bearings, in addition to the anti-reverse ball bearing, make the reel perfect for a smooth mechanism.

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel is one of the best Crappie reels that provides next-level performance when it comes to Crappie fishing. The reel has durable manufacturing, smooth functioning, and high performance that make sure you can use it not only in saltwater but also in freshwater without adversely affecting its performance.

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2. Pflueger President Crappie Spinning Reel

Pflueger President Spinning Reel is another best spinning reel I always prefer to go with when I really want to enjoy smooth casting and reeling. This is because the reel comes with ball bearings between 7-10, depending on the model you’re purchasing. The ball bearings of the reel are made up of stainless steel construction material that makes them durable and smoother in their functioning.

These ball bearings are also corrosion-resistant, ultimately adding to the durability of the overall reel. The reel is basically available in 5 models, and each has a different drag pressure and different line diameter. Since we are talking specifically about Crappie fishing, you have to make sure that you’re purchasing the one that comes with a lower model number as it would be lightweight, and for Crappie fishing, light reels are ideal.

Moreover, the Pflueger President Spinning Reel is made up of graphite construction material and has a multi-disk drag system in addition to the instant anti-reverse feature. All of this, when combined together, makes the reel one of the smoothest of all. So, while looking at its features and the performance this Pflueger President Reel gave me, I can say it would be one of the best choices for a Crappie fishing experience.

Pflueger President Spinning Reel is one of the well-known fishing reels that comes in 5 models, offering you several choices to select the most appropriate one according to your needs. This spinning reel is highly affordable, has a multi-disc brake drag system, is made up of graphite construction material, and offers you a smooth casting experience.

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3. Cadence CS-8 1000 Crappie Spinning Reel

Next on our list of best Crappie fishing is the spinning reel from Cadence brand. The reel comes with a year warranty, is 3.6 ounces in total weight, and has adjustable drag power that you can adjust up to 11 pounds. It has a ten-ball bearing system, making it one of the smoothest to cast fishing reels.

Moreover, the presence of an ergonomic design and comfortable hold handle makes the fishing reel one of the perfect fishing reels, mainly for professional anglers. They will not feel fatigued, nor will they get stressed while holding the spinning reel for longer times, and this is what makes this fishing reel one of the top choices for Crappie fishing.

The durability of the Cadence CS-8 1000 spinning reel is unmatchable to other products on our list. It is made up of an aluminum main shaft, aluminum OS gear, and pinion gear that, when combined with one-piece spool construction, makes the reel one of the best, most robust fishing reels you can use for longer. Moreover, this Crappie fishing reel is not only made up of carbon fiber but also has anodized magnesium in its construction, which makes it extra strong and perfectly lightweight.

Cadence CS-8 1000 Spinning Reel is another of the best Crappie fishing reels that comes with adjustable drag power that you can adjust up to 11 pounds. It has an ergonomic handle, making it comfortable for the fisherman to use for longer. The reel’s construction and durability are unparalleled to other products because it has anodized magnesium in its construction.

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4. Okuma Ceymar Crappie Spinning Reel

Okuma Ceymar is another best-value fishing reel that is ideal for the Crappie fishing experience. It is known for being ultralight in weight, which makes it ultimately the best for lightweight and small fish, just as we are going to catch Crappies with it. Moreover, the noticeable thing about the reel is its outstanding built quality, which makes it not only durable but also high quality and highly efficient.

It is made up of an aluminum handle, aluminum spool, and bail wire that combines together to add to the strength and power of the reel as a whole. Although the reel is available in different sizes, the C-10 size is considered the best for Crappie fishing. So you have to make sure you purchase its C-10 size to get the most optimum functioning.

Well, keep in mind not only for Crappies but also for Small Perch, Bluegill, Sunfish, and Trout, you can use this fishing reel and can enjoy the next level of fishing experience. The reel comes with a multi-disk drag system and has seven ball bearings and one anti-reverse bearing in it. This also makes the reel one of the smoothest of all to provide a smoother reeling and casting experience.

Furthermore, one of the unique things that are pretty different from other reels we have mentioned before is that this fishing reel is comparatively more compact than the previous choices. It is easy to handle and portable, making it perfect for professional anglers.

Okuma Ceymar is one of the well-known, highly light in weight, and excellent spinning reels that are available in different sizes. The product comes with a five-year warranty and is known for its outstanding built quality. It can reliably be used for fish besides Crappies, like bluegill, trout, and sunfish.

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5. Tempo Apex-1000 Crappie Reel

Tempo Apex-1000 is the next best Crappie reel you can go with if you are looking for an affordable and comfortable fishing reel. It is made up of lightweight construction material and is known for its durability. The impressive construction makes the reel one of the perfect choices for Crappie fishing, as it features everything that you need for Crappie fishing.

The pinion gear and main shaft, both parts of this fishing reel, are constructed with the use of aircraft-grade aluminum material that actually makes the overall product one of the top choices for those anglers who prefer going with high-quality quality, strong, and rugged products. It has the Japanese bearing system in which you will get 10 + 1 ball bearings, offering you smooth retrievals, ultimately ending up providing you with smooth casting.

Plus, whether you are right-handed or left-handed, the reel is designed in a way that makes it perfect for use, regardless of which one is your dominant hand. Its handle is manufactured with Eva construction material, adding a comfort zone and making it ideal for longer fishing seasons.

This means even if you fish for hours and hours, you will not feel any stress or strain in your hands and arms. Thanks to the ergonomic making of the handles.

Tempo Apex-1000 is a well-renowned fishing reel that is liked by most fishermen because of its lightweight design and high-quality construction. The reel is made up of aircraft aluminum and is ambidextrous in its design, making it perfect for use by both right-handed and left-handed people. It offers hours of comfort during fishing because of the presence of an Eva foam handle, making it ideal for continuous hours of fishing.

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6. KastKing Sharky III Crappie Spinning Fishing Reel

KastKing Sharky III belongs to KastKing, one of the well-known companies renowned for manufacturing high-quality fishing equipment. The reel is ideal for Crappie fishing because of its drag and line capacity. It offers you a powerful drag system and makes sure it can hold a maximum of 15 kg of drag, making it not only perfect for fishing but also for catching large fish.

Moreover, the presence of a carbon fiber multi-disc drag system makes the drag not only smooth but also durable and makes you win an intense fish battle while catching. Furthermore, 10 + 1 ball bearings, when combined with a 5:2:1 gear ratio, make the reel perfect for fast retrieving and smoother functioning.

It works with perfection under pressure and makes it easier for you to stop fish fights. Well, what I like about the reel is the shield system that ensures the water, dust, and dirt particles do not enter into the internal system of the reel that otherwise can damage the reel badly.

KastKing Sharky III is one of my favorite fishing reels that offers an outstandingly smoother drag and stronger build. It has an extensive line capacity and is known for its lightweight design, high-quality construction, and fast retrieving that ultimately ends up working perfectly under pressure.

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7. Sougayilang Crappie Spinning Freshwater Saltwater Reel

Sougayilang Spinning Reel is a high-quality and corrosion-resistant fishing reel that is ideal for saltwater in addition to being perfect for freshwater fishing. It offers a maximum drag limit of up to 10 kg, making it not only suitable for small fish but also for catching large fish.

Moreover, the combination of solid brass pinion gear and zinc alloy main gear results in making the overall reel superb in smoothness and accuracy. Furthermore, there are 12 corrosion-resistant ball bearings to help you with extra smoothness while casting.

Plus, in the presence of a one-way anti-reverse bearing, you can instantly stop and prevent it from backward movement. In addition to all of these, the ergonomic handles that are made up of superb polymers make it easier for you to fish comfortably and conveniently even if you fish continuously for longer times.

Sougayilang Spinning Reel is the next best spinning reel that offers 10 kgs maximum drag power and is known to be one of the best smooth fishing reels on our list. It is ultra-light in weight and ideal not only for freshwater fishing but also for saltwater fishing.

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Guide To Pick The Best Crappie Reels

Following are some of the most important things to consider when purchasing the best Crappie reels. Since not every reel is for every fish, you have to make sure that you’re purchasing the right reel if you are going for Crappie fishing.

What features make the reel right for Crappie fishing is what I am going to elaborate on below. Make sure to focus on the buying consideration as written below so that you can pick the best reel to get more success and more productivity while catching Crappie fish.

Weight

The weight of the gear is one of the important things that should not be ignored when purchasing fishing equipment. And so is the case with fishing reels.

In case they are heavy and too dense, they can make fishing painful and frustrating. It would not be more fun; instead, it would be a headache at the end of the day. So make sure to purchase the lightweight reels so you can tackle and use the reel with more convenience and more productivity.

Materials/Durability

The next important thing you need to consider is the durability and materials of the product you’re purchasing. If the reel is made up of poor construction material and is not durable, it will not serve you for longer. You have to take a key interest in the construction material of the fishing reel before purchasing it so that it can serve you for longer in a more efficient way.

Well, I will recommend you go with graphite and carbon construction materials as they are lightweight, strong, and sturdy. Alternatively, you also have the option of going with aluminum and magnesium because they are corrosion-resistant and are ideal for both saltwater and freshwater fishing experiences.

Ball Bearings

Going with the fishing reel that comes with more ball bearings is always preferable, as the number of ball bearings is directly proportional to the smoothness of the casting. Ball bearings are basically responsible for friction between circular wheels.

When there are more ball bearings, they ultimately help in handling the reel and spool in a smooth way, so make sure to purchase the reel that comes with more ball bearings to give you a smoother casting and reeling experience. Moreover, going with stainless steel construction material would be an excellent option for you.

Anti Reverse

Anti-reverse ball bearings are responsible for blocking the reel from reversing and opening more lines. It is one of the valuable features that, when present on the fishing reel, ensure to stop the reel from reversing.

Make sure to look for the reel that comes with an anti-reverse switch, mainly when you are Crappie fishing, because when a Crappie bites and fights to swim away, there are chances that it can take your line out. This anti-reverse will block the handle from backward movement, ultimately helping you fight the fish you have caught with high strength in your fishing line. So make sure to focus on reverse ball bearings and prefer to get the reel that has at least one anti-reverse ball bearing in it.

FAQs

What is the best Crappie reel available?

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel is one of the best Crappie spinning reels that comes with 5 + 1 ball bearings. It is easy to use and is designed with the use of proprietary CNC cut gears that make it extra durable and extra smooth in functioning. Moreover, the black and gold design makes the reel super stylish and more attractive.

What is The Best Gear Ratio for Crappie Fishing?

The gear ratio stands for how many times the spool has been rotated for every single handle turn of the reel. For Crappie fishing, you need to make sure that the reel you are purchasing has a gear ratio between 5.2:1 and 6.2:1. This ensures stability and balance between power and speed to help you fish more comfortably and conveniently.

What are the features that you should focus on when purchasing the best fishing reel for Crappie fish?

The first and foremost important thing that you have to focus on is the construction quality and weight of the equipment you are purchasing for fishing. Then, you have to put your attention towards the quality, durability, and count of ball bearings to estimate the smoothenous casting. Similarly, look for lightweight reels if you really want to yield the most fish.

How Much Drag for Crappie Fishing?

We cannot specify the drag because drag mainly depends upon fish size and your line strength. You need to make sure that the drag is about 25% of the fishing line strength you are using. For more clarity, take the example of an 8-pound fishing line; for instance, if you have an 8-pound fishing line, you need to make sure that that drag is approximately around 2 pounds.

What’s the Best Line for Crappie Fishing?

Since there are different types of fishing line, you need to make sure that you are using the appropriate fishing line for Crappie fishing. Generally, a monofilament fishing line is considered ideal for Crappie fishing as it is easy to handle, affordable, effortless to use, and is available in variable colors and strengths. That means you can select the strength and color according to your choice.

Which Rod Should I Use for Crappie?

Not every rod is ideal for fishing. Because there are lots of varieties available in the market, it becomes difficult to get the right one to give you the desired performance. Spinning rods are considered the best for Crappie fishing; they are versatile, easy to use, and perfect for long casting.

Final Thoughts

Crappies are a Sunfish type of fish that is available and common in lakes in the USA. They are smaller and do not engage in a fish fight. That means you can easily handle them and can yield a good amount of fish at the end of fishing.

But for that, you have to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment with you, and so are the reels. Keeping that in mind and the importance of reels, this above-mentioned article tells you about 7 best Crappie reels that you can rely on and can use to get the most benefit out of your fishing session. Make sure to understand everything written above so you can find out and finalize the right reel for you.

Moreover, if you want me to recommend you the best beat reels, then I will recommend you to go with:

• Penn Battle III Spinning Reel is a highly qualitative spinning reel that is known to be one of the top choices for Crappie fishing. The reel has 5 + 1 ball bearings, is highly durable, and is one of the smoothest to cast.
• Pflueger President Spinning Reel comes with five different models made up of graphite construction material, has a stainless steel ball-bearing system, is affordable, and has a year warranty, making it one of the top choices for Crappie fishing.
• Okuma Ceymar is one of the smooth fishing reels that is made up of outstanding build quality and is available in different sizes. For Crappie fish, the C-10 size is best, but remember you can use it for other fish too because the reel is versatile and can also be used for different types of fish.