Ice Fishing Reel

[dubob]

I have a few inline reels. I gave them a two year try, and have pretty much relegated them to my panfish rods. I really didn’t like them, but for pan fish- they have the advantage of less line twist which won’t spin your light jig. I’m never going to get used to the free spool opening by a button on the side. It’s always a cluster untangling them when in transport and they open up. My recommendation for larger fish is a Pflueger president ($50) or shimano sienna ($30).  I have never had an issue with either. The siennas get a little stiff in neg temps. I haven’t found the presidents downfall yet.

That's what's great about this country Macman; we get to use what we like.  

I know several folks that do very well with their spinning reels.  I've been ice fishing in Utah now for at least 10 years and started with the smaller spinning reels like the Siennas.  3 years ago I tried my first in-line reel (1:1 ratio).  It sucked big time.  The next season I went with the Eagle Claws.  Better by a wide margin than the 1:1 reels.  Last season I upgraded to the Ghost Free Falls.  I have 4 of them now and sold ALL my ice fishing spinning reels.  You couldn't bribe me enough to go back to the spinning reels.  I fish for perch, crappie, trout, and salmon through the ice.  I change to stiffer rods for the trout and salmon and stay with ultra lights for perch & crappie.  I've caught and landed slot buster cuts at the Berry on the Ghost reels and caught 5 lb bows at Starvation on them.  You get what you pay for and the Ghost reels are worth every penny.  I also use 13 Fishing rods; their Tickle Stix is the best ultra light I've ever used by far.   I'm already thinking ahead to the late November start in the High Uintas.