The Mojo 425 boasts some very unique cosmetics

Quality/Construction: The Cheeky Mojo 425 is fully machined out of 6061 aluminum. Its open design looks very cool along with the unique color scheme. The colors actually have more of a machined finish to them rather than exhibiting a high gloss shine. Aside from a few tiny battle scars left behind by previous testers, the reel looks clean inside and out. With that said, upon closer inspection I did notice a couple of corners on the reel frame that were a bit on the sharp side. Reel tolerances were fine, and no odd sloppiness or wobbles were apparent in any of the structure.

The spool features generous porting for maximum weight reduction

Performance: The Cheeky Mojo 425 found its home on a Redington Vapen Red rod as well as a G. Loomis Pro 4X. It came spooled up with 20-pound backing which I connected to a RIO Mainstream Saltwater fly line. Beach snook were the quarry of choice as they are readily available and even the little guys will make some nice runs that test a drag's smoothness.

Cheeky calls the frame yellow; I call it gold!

Retrieve: FAST is one word to describe the rate at which this reel retrieves line. Thanks to the large arbor, generous spool diameter, and narrow spool width, it's able to pick up line very quickly. This is an awesome attribute for any fly reel because it helps you easily keep up with a fish that's charging you head-on. The mellow retrieve sound may be a disappointment for some anglers who prefer their reels to exhibit a sharper clicking sound, but I was satisfied with it.

To remove the spool, just undo the middle cap with your fingers and it comes off easily.

Drag: No reel is truly perfect, right? Unfortunately, the drag is where the Mojo 425 falters a bit. First, let me say that it's very smooth and has no noticeable startup inertia, however its power is much weaker than anticipated. The sealed system is comprised of stacked discs made of stainless steel and a synthetic material called PTFE. We weren't able to hook it up to our drag machine in California for a precise measurement, so I will refrain from making an estimate. I will say that the Mojo 425 drag is quite weak at its highest setting, however it's still perfectly adequate for most fishing situations you'll encounter with this size reel. You must also remember that fly reels benefit from the fact that you can easily and comfortably apply palm or finger pressure to the spool rim for added stopping power. Unless I am fishing for big tarpon or other species that absolutely require a stout drag setting, I tend to fish a lighter setting and apply extra pressure with my hand.

The narrow spool facilitates quick line retrieves

Features: This reel has a collection of features that come together to create a well-rounded offering. The most noteworthy items include the sealed synthetic drag system, right/left retrieve capability (a quick task utilizing a flat-head screwdriver), a mellow in/out clicker, and a neoprene reel pouch.

The corners at the top of the frame could be softened a tad.

Next Section: Eye catching design