Ice fishing reels

[Knuguy]

Ok, I understand why special ice fishing rods can be desirable for some situations, but why not use a regular 'open water' spin-cast reel rather than the little dinky 'ice-fishing reels' sold as in the stores?

 

[miles]

I am no expert but I notice that the small reels seem to balance well on the small rods. I personally use fly reels in some rods, normal spin cast on some and ice reels on others. The normal spin cast reels feel large on ice rods.

 

[MaxWedge]

I have a pile of ultra light reels
Mitchell 308/408, Penn 716z and so on that I've used when the urge to ice fish arises.
​

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

Random you asked as I was just reading an article that deals with this question briefly. I liked the whole thing as I'm a hardwater noob but if you just want to get down to business paragraphs 14, 15, 18, and 19 deal specifically with reels, line, and balance. Hope you find this helpful!

http://outdoorcanada.ca/28080/fishing/ice-fishing/expert-advice-for-fishing-rainbow-trout-in-winter

 

[CanadianAngler87]

Ok, I understand why special ice fishing rods can be desirable for some situations, but why not use a regular 'open water' spin-cast reel rather than the little dinky 'ice-fishing reels' sold as in the stores?

I use the small reels, for the most part aslong as they are decent quaility. Sometimes the small ones just plain suck. Anyways I use them because they balance the rods nicley, and in most cases im only fishing 20 FoW so all the excess line isn't needed. They fit in my sleigh better for easier transport aswelk. If I happen to be fishing bigger fish in deeper water I will use my bigger reels. The smaller reels are also lighter and putting less strain on your arms sitting there jigging all day. Again all that extra line weight just isnt needed. Thats my opinion..

Chris

 

[miles]

Random you asked as I was just reading an article that deals with this question briefly. I liked the whole thing as I'm a hardwater noob but if you just want to get down to business paragraphs 14, 15, 18, and 19 deal specifically with reels, line, and balance. Hope you find this helpful!

http://outdoorcanada.ca/28080/fishing/ice-fishing/expert-advice-for-fishing-rainbow-trout-in-winter

That's a really helpful article, thanks!

 

[hightechdecks]

FLYREELS.

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

NP river55, glad you liked it!

 

[Knuguy]

GBD----fly reels with fly line, or do you replace it with mono?

Here's my situation: I just go ice fishing no more than 3-4 times a year. I can't justify buying a very good quality ice fishing reel, but I have good quality 'normal' size reels for 'softwater fishing. I'm trying to decide whether to use those or buy a Can Tire quality 'ice' reel. I understand the point some of you made about weight and balance for jigging all day long. thx for that.

 

[fishermandan420]

i have a couple better UL sized reels. the ones on ice combos suck 9 times outa 10. some more econimical ones are my 2 mitchell avocet black UL500 at around 10 bucks. i have a couple bigger avocets in 2000 size for walleye and muskoka lakes. theyre about 20 bucks. and simcoe i use a couple cheaper 2500 shimanos. no need for top end gear, but junk is unacceptable either

 

[m_van]

IMO. I don't think fly reels, ice reels, light reels, heavy reels, spin cast reels, bait cast reels and/or any other reels will land you prized fish. Just that one you feel most comfortable to hold will win you over (don't forget you are the one who holds it all day).. To me, any reels will do. :mrgreen:

 

[Captain Barty]

"Ice reels" are purely gimmicky. Just use what you would use in the summer. I use 500 series shimanos for perch and panfish, and 1000 -2500 series for everything else. My sahara 2500 and new stradic 1000 got good workouts this weekend. :mrgreen:

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

An important factor when choosing reels is balance, you dont want an awkward setup in your hands when your jigging outside in the cold all day.