I will argue for the closed face till the end. The sooner you get the line going in a strait line the further it will cast. The flutter between the reel and the first eyelet on an open face creates drag. The first eyelet on an open face is always larger and makes it even worse for long cast. I have had this argument with my son and using the same length rod and the same line I kick his butt.
The only way to really test it is with light weight. I often cast a night crawler with a very small hook just through the tip of the head and open face loose for distance. I like the way it falls...slow and natural.

I don't know what a closed face reel looks like. Could you be talking about a bait caster or a spin caster or is there something out there about which I know nothing?

A push button is a closed face like Zebco but I use the old Johnson Century reels. Bait Casters could never cast a night crawler 2 foot.

A spinning reel generally cast farther than a closed face or a bait caster reel.

A spinning reel releases line without restriction of any part of the reel.

A closed face reel has to pull out of the reel and from behind a winding plate that can slow down the line release significantly as it tries to pass through the small hole in the reel cover.

A baitcaster reel release line by allowing the spool to spin throughout the entire cast to unwind line from it. Various settings on the reel can slow the speed and the person casting must use caution and control to cast smoothly. Failure to control the speed of the spool can cause a backlash stopping the cast abruptly.

While a person skilled at fishing may be able to cast all 3 reels very well, typically the spinning reel will cast farther if equal weights are used at the end of each line.

A spinning reel has a spool that the line has to go over the same as a closed face. The problem with spinning reels is the line is not straightened out until the the second or third eyelet. The swirling motion has lots of drag that kills the cast. I still say the quicker you get the line straight the farther the cast.

I saw somewhere there was an attachable eyelet for open face reels that you could put on your rod that fit up close to the reel and it would increase length of cast but can't find it again.

All the dusta casting records are held by ABU 5500 & 6550 reels or hand made clones of them. To run with the big boys you have to be able Combine cast more than 300 yards, yes yards as in 900+ feet.

I am not talking about records for casting large weight. I am talking about casting a worm and a hook! You can't even put 300 yards on a typical closed or open face real. I'm talking the difference between a 20' foot and a 40' casts. When I tested both the closed face won.

well, I dont know, but I have a 7.5 foot pro angler with a abu7000 turbo job done by fred, 3 oz weight and 30 lb suffix line and I can cast out 250 yards. I will cast out the whole spool of line from a 250 yard spool.

A spinning reel does not pull line like a closed face they are not similar at all.

The closed face has a much larger winding plate and has two pins that catch the line and wind it. The open face uses a bail to wind the line. The diameter size of the spool the line winds on to are very different.

Spinning reel and closed face are anywhere near each other in design.

I have no doubt what you say is true but how far can it cast a worm and hook with no weight? Bait caster are the worst for very light baits. My guess is they won't cast a worm and hook far enough to reach your knees!

I dont fish for green lip trash fish. I fish for trophy blues

You are correct that a baitcaster will not deliver a worm and hook on a cast. But I would put some money that a spinning reel will get the same weight worm and hook farther than a closed face reel.

The real question is why cast it. For something that light, I would just put it on a longer 12-15' crappie rod and let the line out by hand.

They both have the spool axis parallel with the rod...the line comes off in the same direction. They look very different but as far as the root functions for casting they are very similar. There are advantages for each design: an open face can provide a much faster retrieve and the gearing provides better mechanical advantages so they have a longer life. A closed face is a much simpler design and cast further because the line is straightened out quicker. The other thing I like about closed face is being able hold the rod and have a finger against the line right by the hole in the face so I can feel the lightest bump.

I can cast a worm and hook 40 foot.