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Get
Noticed With the Cheeky Mojo 425 Fly Reel
(continued)
  Design
and Ergonomics:
The Mojo 425 sports a beautiful blue and gold finish that doesn't reflect much
light. Some may say it doesn't look quite as good as a glossy, reflective
finish, but it still pleases the eye. The combination of an extremely open
design and the spool being heavily ported makes for a lightweight package.
The handle is a good size.
Something I really applaud Cheeky for doing is giving this reel the proper
dimensions. Some reels on the market simply don't use the most optimal
dimensions, particularly when it comes to spool width. Not only does a
wide-spooled reel not look as streamlined, but it slows down your retrieval rate
a hair. The Mojo 425 spool has excellent dimensions boasting a 4.25-inch
diameter and 1.1-inch width. It not only looks right when attached to a fly rod,
but allows for quick, easy retrieves.
The Mojo 425 logo is visible alongside the reel foot
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Design
and Ergonomics Ratings for Cheeky Mojo 425 |
|
Spool Diameter (1–5) |
Spool Width (1–5) |
Drag Knob Size/Grip (1–5) |
Handle Size/Grip (1–5) |
Weight(1–5) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (=Tot/Pos*10) |
|
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
21 |
25 |
8.4 |
The sealed drag is built into the middle of a very minimalist style frame design
Application:
Cheeky rates its Mojo 425 as a 7 to 10-weight reel. Usually a reel that
encompasses four line weights is a bit of a stretch for me, but this reel
actually covers the range effectively from a size and capacity standpoint. On
the flip side, the weak drag hurts it when targeting species in the 9 and 10
weight realm like small to medium tarpon, false albacore, jacks, or any other
species where a heavy drag setting is best.
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Application Ratings for Cheeky Mojo 425 |
|
Freshwater
(1–4) |
Saltwater
(1–4) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (=Tot/Pos*10) |
|
3 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
6.25 |
This reel is most at home with light to medium fresh and saltwater duties.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
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Cheeky
Mojo
425
Fly
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
It's a
nicely
made
reel
except
for a
couple
sharp
corners
on the
frame. |
8.8 |
|
Performance |
It
boasts
impressive
retrieve
speed
but the
power of
the drag
comes up
short. |
7.33 |
|
Price |
The
modest
price
puts it
right in
the
arena of
reels
like the
Nautilus
FWX and
new Ross
Animas.
|
7 |
|
Features |
A nice
feature
list. |
8.75 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
This is
an
attractively
designed
reel
that
sports
excellent
dimensions. |
8.4 |
|
Application |
Appropriate
for a
broad
range of
species,
however
the weak
drag
hurts it
in more
demanding
applications. |
6.25 |
|
Total
Score
|
7.75 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
+ Unique
appearance |
- Weak
max drag |
|
+ Nice
dimensions |
- A
couple
of sharp
frame
edges |
|
+
Lightweight |
|
|
+ Quick
spool
changes |
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Due to
poor conditions and time constraints, I only managed a few small snook during
the brief testing period. I guess this was pretty good considering when I fished
with the Cheeky guys a few years ago the conditions were totally blown out for
the day!
Conclusion:
Cheeky Fly Fishing is run by a group of young dudes whoare both energetic and
extremely passionate about the sport of fly fishing. When I met them all for the
first time it was obvious they were very serious about creating a fun and
functional line of fly reels. Based on what I experienced with the Mojo 425,
they did a pretty darn good job. I have noticed an increase in the number of
young fly anglers over the last several years, and companies like Cheeky give
this younger demographic a fresh, fun reel that is within many of their budgets.
Whether young or seasoned, if you desire something a bit different in your next
fly reel then scope out the Cheeky Mojo 425.
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