SPRO Jason Christie Elite MG Casting Reel Product Review #sprojasoncristiereel

Reel Review

SPRO Goes Magnesium with Their Jason Christie Elite MG Casting Reel

Date:	11/17/25
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	SPRO
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.83 - GOOD

Introduction: There are three primary materials from which manufacturers construct frames of their low profile casting reels, graphite, aluminum, and magnesium. Prices are usually reflective of the frame material in that same order, from low to high. However, every now and then, a manufacturer will mix things up managing to find a method of producing a reel from a more expensive, resource intensive material at a lower than expected price point. Today we take a look at one such result. Here's our look at SPRO's Jason Christie Elite MG Casting Reel.

SPRO Jason Christie Elite MG Casting Reel Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/120
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	13.3 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	5.6 (grn)	6.6 (pu)	7.3 (rd)	8.1 (og)
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	10 - 22	11.5 - 26	12.5 - 29	14 - 32
Weight	6.3 oz
Spool Weight	11 g
Handle Length	100 mm
Bearings	10+1
Bearings per Knob	2
Levelwind Bearings	2
Rated Max Drag	~22lbs
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$229.99

Introducing SPRO's entry to the magnesium framed casting reel market, the Jason Christie Elite MG

Impressions: There are officially, too many manufacturers of casting reels for which I can keep track in order to recall whether I have seen a low profile, magnesium framed product offered at a lower price than what SPRO currently retails their Jason Christie Elite MG casting reel. The simple fact is, no matter where the reel is made, $230 is crazy inexpensive for an Mg reel.

Looks like the JC Elite MG sports a new braking system

The rotor, however, is fixed

Usually, Mg reels are celebrated in some manner with pristine finishes or other touches to make them stand out, but the JC Elite MG is different in that regard too. It's a relatively compact reel with a slightly larger than normal 100-sized capacity (but less than 150) finished in an unassuming black. The only thing to stand out in this reel is the carbon handle and colored caps at the end of the knobs. The caps serve as a quick reference color code so users know which retrieve ratio each reel is.

Spooled with some Sunline FX2 braid, matched with Spro's new Bronzeye Frog rod and ready for the California Delta

Real World Tests: SPRO's JC Elite MG reel arrived in my dirty little paws at the same time as their 7'-2" Bronzeye Frog rod, so it was an easy decision to pair the two up for some brand on brand mojo. For line, I installed some of my remaining Sunline FX2 Braid in the blue/green coloration, also Dean Rojas's favorite, in 80lb test.

The braking system is kind of a hybrid between two magnet implementations

The magnets do in fact act on both the flat surface and extended rotor of the spool

Casting: At first inspection of the JC Elite MG's braking system and the rotor on the reel's spool, I was excited for the prospect of something new and dynamic. However, because that rotor is fixed, really, behavior is not much different than the cookie cutter mag-brake systems we see on a lot of budget friendly reels where the magnets are arranged in an array in the sideplate and act on the flat surface of the spool. If anything, the magnets in this reel's system have more influence on your cast which is good for control, but not so great if you want distance - in theory.

Brake adjustment is via this dial at the bottom front of the non-handle sideplate

Speaking of that non-handle sideplate, it's attached so access to the spool out on the water is trouble free

In practice, I did not feel the braking system excessively choked off my casts and I appreciated the control they afforded me. In fact, despite my early reservations, I found the JC Elite MG quite the capable reel at presenting baits from about three eighths of an ounce in total lure weight on up. I managed to sneak in a couple of casts with small rats and wake baits too.

Frog fish on the CA Delta!

Brake adjustments are easy and effected via a ratcheted dial on the bottom, front of the non-handle sideplate that numbers one to ten (1-10) but actually has close to thirty (30) points of adjustment. For the record, the reel's spool tension knob is also ratcheted (micro-click enabled).

The knob caps are both decorative and functional, color coded to the reel's retrieve ratio

Next Section: Everyday reel or niche performer?