I have been looking at inline ice fishing reels but they get reviews all over the board. Does anyone have any experience using one? I have looked at the reviews for Fiblink, Frabil, Eagle claw, and Clam. They all have mixed reviews. I was considering them because of the reduced line twist and I think it may be easier for my 10 year old to use without getting tangled up so much. Any insight would be helpful.
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I have two of the eagle claw. For reduced line twist they are nice. But I still have some issues with backlash. The friction adjustment that controls the drop speed has to be adjusted for each lure weight or use fingers to control the spool spin. Too loose and spool will overrun the line speed and backlash or bird nest, too tight and the lure won't drop.
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I have a Frabil and have used it a few times. Unless you are going to be fishing with heavy line, or just fishing for pan fish, one has to manually work the reel because the drag is limited. I would suggest a level wind reel to avoid line twist.
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I love mine. I have an Eagle Claw. (Had two but one rod somehow got lost last year.)
You do have to adjust the freespool drag for each lure, but it's so simple it's a non-issue. Just tighten it until the spool doesn't turn, and loosen it gradually until it just barely does, and then go a wee bit more. Unless and until you change lures, you're done.
Lack of line twist is a HUGE benefit. Without those spiral coils of line between rod and lure, you see and feel many, many more bites. You have no idea how "springy" line is with a spinning reel until you use an inline.
I find that they are a bit large and heavy if used on the lightest, shortest rods. But for all others, they're just fine. I don't use a tent, so I can use longer rods. I have my inline on a 40" rod that was formerly the tip section of a 9-WT fly rod and it's perfect there.
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I bought one for my 10 year old thinking it would help with tangles. No. heck some times I struggle casting the thing.
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Thanks everyone for the insight. It sounds like for the 10 year old I would just be trading line twist caused tangles for backlash. I think I will get one for my self before I buy one for him.
Jim
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Potsy, CASTING? You don't cast an ice fishing reel. You just drop it down the hole on freespool.
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I was considering one of the inline reels for this coming ice fishing season and almost posted as you are looking for ideas.
I have been fishing through the ice for a good many years using a bait casting reel (level wind). After looking at reviews I decided what I have is probably better; the drag system, I am sure, is much better plus i never have to worry about a birds nest. The weight of the reel looks to be about the same.
They do sound good but I will stay with what I have and use the money to pay for gas.
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r2u2, you convinced me. I'm going to add ice fishing line over the braid to use my Diawa AccuDepth ICV 25W reels for ice fishing. I figure I'll notice the depth fish are suspending on my fish finder and then run around dropping my lure quickly to that exact same depth in other holes.
https://www.google.com/search?safe=activ...US513US515
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Get one, you won't regret it for the exact stuff Rocky is talking about.
I finally tracked down the new Black Betty 'Freefall' at Scheels yesterday. I installed it on a pole today with new 4lb. ice superline. I also started using tungsten jigs 4 years ago and that was a fantastic experience.
This is the most I have ever been excited for the lakes to cap!
This years goals are kokanee and walleye through the ice.
Good luck!
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Best thing I have ever bought, they drop the lightest jigs and no line twist. Drags are smooth and after using for one season I have bought two more for other rods I have. I will buy more two more to finish out the collection. I like the ones with the longer throat that hang off the rods further. Just take your time set it up for the jig you are using. Oh, one more thing is when using the slip bobbers the knot doesn't get caught on the bail like when using a spinning real.
I have the Frabill and the eagle claw.
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Allow me to amplify a bit.
I had never realized how "springy" mono on a spinning reel was when ice fishing until I went to an inline reel with special ice line. I swear, regular mono in cold water is like fishing with a Slinky toy for line. Those spirals in the line amount to several inches of stretch. Feel a light bite through that? Ha!
Get an inline, spool it with specially-formulated ice line (use some regular mono as backing if you like) and see for yourself.
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Maybe my response was too vague, I was agreeing with you 100%.
I learned my lesson about spinning reel 'coils' years ago while ice fishing UL.
The night before that UL trip years ago I bought a cheap inline, spooled it with 3 lb test ice line, and bought a few tungsten jigs. I was also using my brand new Showdown.
That next day I caught dozens of gills, a few white bass, a couple of crappie, a largemouth, but the big eye opener was the carp and the two channel cats I caught.
The 'AHA' moment was hooking the carp and cats all on the outside lip. My assumption is they were tasting the bait, hits I would have missed with 'coils' in my line.
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Your comment was fine, good sir. I was merely elaborating on my own words in an attempt to describe just how much difference there is between an spinning reel with mono and an inline reel with ice line.
Because in the words of our next Prexie, it's HUUUUUUUUGE.
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I have a Clam one. They can get kind of annoying sometimes. But for the most part I absolutely love them!
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As many have said, I use the eagle claw ones. I have used them at bear lake catching macs and the same day used them to catch perch and not had any issues with them. As some have said, just make sure your paying attention when your bait hits the bottom or your gonna have a mess on your hands. I am planning on picking up a couple of their magnum inlines to use at bearlake for the deeper water but the normal sized ones work great everywhere else.
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Have you tried adjusting your freefall drag setting?
They are designed that as soon as your lure hits the bottom the spool will not spin anymore.
Double check yours, maybe you have a defective reel?
Good luck.
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I have not ha I usually just use my finger to keep the speed in check.
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There ya go. I think we found your problem: instruction sheet stuck in the wastebasket.
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