My wife has trouble mastering the open face spinning reel when we are crappie fishing. She invariably gets slack in the line and then gets it wrapped around the handle or behind the spool. I am thinking one of the closed face underspins would be great for her. It is not about casting as we are usually flipping a jig under a bobber. I would prefer to rig it with 20 lb braid and use a mono leader for the jig or minnow hook. Any recommendations?

I've used a couple of the Zebco 11T underspins, but wouldn't recommend them. They kept locking up when reeling in. I think the gears are plastic. Had a Shakespeare Synergy and liked it much better - up until I broke the trigger (more plastic) on it. Never tried a Daiwa - maybe someone can chime in on their experience with them.

I was hoping for a quality reel, but I am not sure one is available.

The absolute best spincast hands down is the daiwa goldcast. For the size of line your using I would recommend the gc120.
There $60 new or you can get them for half that on ebay used.
I use abu Sweden mostly.
The wife and kids use the goldcast and it's what I grew up using as a child decades ago.
The only problem u are going to have with any spincast reel is you can't cast braid well with a spincast.

I will check it out. Braid is not essential, but I like it with a lighter leader that will break before losing the slip bobber if using one.

I have a Diawa Goldcast, and will second this advice.

My suggestion is not a different reel, but more practice with the one she has.

My Dad did not care to learn or fool with a baitcaster, and at 84, I can't blame him. His eyesight was also reeking havoc.

Therefore, got him one of the better spincast, and I recommend it.

The Zebco Platinum 33 with a 4:1:1 ratio.

It's a nice reel.

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I was hoping to find a good underspin, but may have to settle for a regular.

I have a Pfluger underspin on my wife's pro angler...it has put some big crappie in the boat this year.

Hmm, the topic title states "spincast," but if "underspin" is your desire, I do like my Pflueger 1810. I've got mine on a Berkley Cherrywood medium action, and I do believe I have around 20 lb. braid on it. I have not used it in a couple years, but I seem to remember the braid did not cast as well as I'd like.

I may be remembering it incorrectly since it's been so long. I try it tomorrow just out in the street and report back.

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this is the real on my wife's rod...it has impressed me.

I just tried my reel, and I had forgotten the handle gets stuck, probably because it simply needs to be opened up and service, but it does cast well when it does cast. It does have at least 20 lb. braid and a leader.

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Thanks everyone. I will get one of those suggested and give it a try.