I understand everyone will have indifferences on this and many will suggest using a spinning reel. However, I love the simplicity of the bait caster, I switch from fresh water to salt water, to big lakes, to rivers, to small ponds when fishing every week. I love that I can spool new lines on my bait caster within minutes and it's what I learned on so spinning reels are out of the question for me, the bait-caster is just natural to me.

The one problem I encounter is when I want to crappie fish and cast light jigs. I understand I won't cast the light jig as far, especially with a bait-caster, but I want to be able to get it away from the boat and free of birds-nest. With that said, I can do this with my normal bait-casters, but I have to cast slow, easy, and steady, and make sure there is no wrist flicking action, and try to be consistent through the cast. Sometimes I will get an occasional nest when casting a 1/16 to 1/32 jig.

I just bought a SLX DC reel paired with a Shimano GLX rod for salt-water.

Would switching my crappie bait casters to the DC reel make a difference if I set it on the 3rd or 4th setting for more digital controlled braking action?

My idea is get another SLX DC, set the braking on high, 20 lb braid, and cast away, still remaining steady with no flicking action. I have a feeling I will be more consistent with less nest? Am I right? Anyone tried?

Also, what rod action would you pair with this for boat casting for crappie? A shorter rod, light action and fast tip?

Might want to consider some of the bfs reels hitting the market.

Can you elaborate when I search BFS reels, the first one that comes up is a KastKing Ultra Light Carbon Fiber? Is this along the lines of what your talking about? And why would they better due to the light-weight factor?

TMD, thanks for the response I'm sorry for the stupid question I did some research myself. I didn't even know about these "BFS" systems, I'm guessing they are new? I'm kind of partial to Shimano, but I'm on a budget because me and my wife just picked up a RV, Boat, and two of the DC casters which it looks like I'll use for bottom fishing with heavy rigs.

So I obviously know nothing about the BFS and never heard of it until your post. So being on a budget, here's what I'm looking at. With my budget in mind, would this set-up be any good for casting light weight (1/8 to 1/32 jigs?)

KastKing BFS Valiant Eagle

https://www.academy.com/p/kastking-valiant-eagle-bfs-baitcast-reel?gmc_feed=t&ogmap=SEM%7cNBR%7cGOOG%7cSHOP%7cc%7cOUT%7cIM%7cNon-Brand-PerformanceMax-Outdoor-Stream%7cStream%7c%7c16517466167%7c0&ogmap=SEM%7cPLN%7cGOOG%7cSHOP%7cc%7cOUT%7c%7cNon-Brand-PerformanceMax-Outdoor-Stream%7cStream%7c%7c16517466167%7c0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPGUBhDwARIsANNwjV4z81b_OOqf7gPlDvLPJQQpifx7z5C_XpDizneQ0gM-TCp-bVPXYo4aAqXOEALw_wcB


Shimano Sensilite Rod: Power Light - Action: Extra Fast

https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-sensilite-rods.html

For crappie jigs, it is hard to beat a 2500 sized spinning outfit. Shooting a jig on an ultra light is a lot of fun. No need to spend a lot of money. For less than the SLXDC, you could get a pretty good crappie setup.

You need nothing fancy for crappie, a cheap zebco 202 would be more than enough and you’d pay next to nothing for it. I bought some $40 spinning reels and a $39 Berkley ultra light lightning rods and they work great. Crappie are about the weakest fighting fish alive, you don’t need a baitcast reel for them.

BFS is enthusiast tackle and can get expensive. I agree with going spinning.

Definitely go cheap if it's just for crappie. Also, look into the 50 MGL lineup. Those work well for light setups.

BFS MGL is fun for sure