Best Crappie Fishing Reels of 2025
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Crappie fishing reels are essential for anglers looking to catch this popular freshwater game fish. These reels are specifically designed to handle the light lines and small lures often used when targeting crappie. With features like smooth drag systems, lightweight construction, and high gear ratios, crappie fishing reels make it easier to feel bites and quickly reel in your catch. Some popular brands of crappie fishing reels include Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Lew's. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, investing in a quality crappie fishing reel can improve your chances of success on the water.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 7 Crappie Fishing Reels
Lew's Crappie Thunder Spinning Reel
The Lew's Crappie Thunder Reel is expertly crafted with a lightweight graphite body, making it strong and durable for crappie fishing in any environment. You’ll appreciate the convenience of its interchangeable right- or left-hand retrieve, allowing you to use it comfortably no matter your preference. Packed with 6lb monofilament line, it’s ready to fish right out of the box. With a smooth 5.0:1 gear ratio and a recovery of 19 inches per turn, you’ll experience effortless and consistent retrieves, enhancing your fishing experience and increasing your chances of landing the big catch.
Lew's Crappie Thunder Underspin Fishing Reel
The Lew's Crappie Thunder Reel is a top-notch fishing reel designed for crappie anglers. With its premium construction, including all-metal gears, a ball bearing drive system, and a stainless-steel nose cone, this reel is built to last. It offers effortless fishing with its adjustable right- or left-hand retrieve and comes pre-spooled with 6lb monofilament fishing line. The reel's exceptional performance is highlighted by its lightweight skeletal rotor and 4.3:1 gear ratio, providing a smooth and consistent retrieve. Its versatility is evident with dual ceramic pick-up pins for a non-slip retrieval, a selective anti-reverse switch, and a mono line capacity of 90/4 yds/lbs. Crappie Thunder is the go-to reel for casting, pitching, jigging over brush and standing timber, or trolling for suspended fish. Backed by a one-year warranty and supported by a dedicated Customer Service team, this reel offers rock-solid reliability.
Lew's Crappie Thunder Fishing Reel
The Lew's Crappie Thunder Reel is designed for anglers who pursue crappie with ease and efficiency. Its durable graphite frame and spool ensure you can tackle tough conditions without worry. You'll appreciate the right-hand retrieve and included 6lb monofilament line, making it ready for action straight out of the box. The reel's 3.6:1 gear ratio and anti-reverse lever allow for smooth, consistent retrieves, enhancing your fishing experience. With a mono capacity of 90/6 yds/lbs, this reel offers versatility, making it suitable for various fishing situations.
Lews Fishing WMR5 Signature Series Crappie Reel
The Lews Fishing WMR5 Signature Series Crappie Reel is a high-performance fishing reel that comes with a one-piece graphite frame and sideplates, a multi-stop anti-reverse, and selective on/off bait clicker. It features a graphite spool, aluminum dual-grip reel handle, smooth drag system, precision machined brass gearing, and Speed Lube for exceptional smoothness and performance in all weather conditions. It is pre-spooled with 6lb. Mr. Crappie monofilament fishing line and ideal for techniques like Long Lining, Pulling Crankbaits, and Spider Rigging.
Lew's Crappie Thunder Reel
The Lew's Crappie Reel is designed specifically for crappie fishing, making it an excellent choice for anglers looking to catch this popular species. With its thoughtful design, this reel enhances your fishing experience by providing smooth operation and reliability. You will appreciate the ease of use, allowing you to focus on your technique rather than struggling with equipment. Additionally, the Clam Pack ensures that your reel is well-protected and easy to transport, making it convenient for your fishing trips. Overall, this reel combines functionality and portability for an enjoyable fishing outing.
Lew's Crappie Thunder Spincast Fishing Reel
The Lew's Crappie Thunder Reel is a high-quality spincast fishing reel designed for crappie anglers. It features premium construction with all-metal gears, a ball bearing drive system, and a stainless-steel nose cone, ensuring years of dependability. The reel offers effortless fishing with its changeable right- or left-hand retrieve and comes pre-spooled with 6lb monofilament fishing line. With a lightweight skeletal rotor, a 4.3:1 gear ratio, and a 16" recovery per turn, the Crappie Thunder provides exceptional performance and a smooth retrieve. It is also highly versatile, equipped with dual ceramic pick-up pins for non-slip retrieval and a mono capacity of 90/4 yds/lbs, making it perfect for casting, pitching, jigging, or trolling for suspended fish. With a one-year warranty and dedicated customer service, the Crappie Thunder reel offers rock-solid reliability for all your crappie fishing adventures.
Lew's Wally Marshall Speed Shooter Reel
The Lew's Speed Shooter Reel is built for durability and performance, featuring a robust graphite body and sideplate. You’ll appreciate the Zero Reverse one-way clutch, which ensures your handle stays in place, allowing for a secure hookset when you reel in your catch. With a smooth 4-bearing system and Speed Lube, this reel operates effortlessly in any weather. The unique skeletal rotor and 5.1:1 gear ratio provide a consistent retrieve, while the multi-disc drag system can handle up to 6-pounds of drag, giving you confidence in your fishing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What action rod is best for crappie?
For crappie fishing, a spinning rod with medium power and a fast action is recommended. This combination provides the right balance of sensitivity to detect bites and responsiveness to set the hook effectively.
2. What color hook is best for crappie?
The color of the hook can have an impact on crappie catch rate. Some anglers have found success with red bait hooks, while others prefer blue or green hooks with fathead minnows. The key is to experiment and see which color attracts crappie better in your fishing area.
3. Should I use a leader for crappie fishing?
Using a leader can be beneficial if you believe crappie might be spooked by a high-visibility line. Options like clear monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braid with a fluorocarbon leader can help minimize visibility and increase your chances of success.
4. What depth do crappie stay at?
During the winter, crappie can be found in deeper water ranging from 20 to 40 feet. However, they will move into shallower water during a string of warm days. In cold water, a very slow retrieve is recommended as crappie are less likely to chase fast-moving lures like they do in warmer months.
During our crappie fishing reel research, we found 24 crappie fishing reel products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,254 customer reviews through our big data system to write the crappie fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose crappie fishing reels with an average price of $20.48.
The crappie fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of crappie fishing reels, including Lew's and more. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.