Ice Fishing
ice fishing reels
I have a couple Eagle Claw In-line reels and I just got a One 3 Descent this year. They are almost the same except the descent has a shield on the backside of the spool. The only thing I have an issue with is pulling out line. If you don't have the free-spool drag set right it can spin too fast and cause a mess. I pull out lne from the end of my rod but keep my finger on the side of the spool so I can control the free-spooling. One thing about the Eagle Claw and Descent reels is that the spool is not metal and won't freeze your finger as you are controlilng the free-spool. I do like them over my spinning reels. But if I am targeting walleye or something a little bigger I still use a spinning reel.
HT came out with a very nice in-line reel that I saw at the ice show in Milwaukee in December. But it was pricey. Guy at the HT booth said they were around $100. But a guy who was selling them at another booth was asking $140. I found them cheaper online but haven't bought one.
I have some inlines and some spinning reels. I prefer the inlines for the way they cut down on line twist. It took a bit to get used to them but now they are great. One is a 1:1 which I use for shallow panfish. The others are geared and I use them for deeper water. Once you get used to them you’ll be able to get your bait down quicker than with a spinning reel.
I'm a big follower of the Shimano Stradic FK ...have a 5/6 that gets a lot of use year round. You also might consider looking at the Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder Graphite ....you can find them on closeout now at several fly shops. I just bought the 4Plus large arbor and it's quickly becoming my favorite reel.
