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I bought a nice medium baitcaster ice rod a couple years back. Never got the chance to match it with a reel. I don’t want to use my bass reels for the winter. Anyone have experience a good bait casting style type of reel for ice fishing or tips on what to avoid or look for... also straight mono or floro?
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well for starters, what type of fish are you targeting? if you're targeting perch/panfish, an actual bait caster (not a inline reel) doesn't seem necessary. In addition, even if targeting larger fish, I personally tend to prefer spinning reels as I prefer the drag system. I find spinning reel drag tends to be smoother, as well as it might sound silly but since a spinning reel clicks and makes sound when it is pulled, it allows me to know how well my drag is set without looking at the spool. that allows me to focus watching my line and making sure it doesn't catch on the ice and break off. one benefit of the bait casters, is the line retrieve ratios tend to be much faster on bait casters. if targeting lakers or whitefish in deep water, you may find this beneficial.
In terms of specific bait casters to get, I know you'd mentioned that you don't want to use your bass reels, but hey if those are the reels you like, buy one just for ice fishing! if you like it for open water, im sure you'd like it for ice! Shimano SLX would be a nice affordable option.
One more benefit to spinning reels, brands like Shimano have introduced core protect which is basically seals to protect the bearing points from water... in turn, I use my Shimano Nasci's all winter long for ice fishing and all summer, and they're showing no sign of wear or corrosion whatsoever. still as smooth as they day I bought them.
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i've been using a Quantum KVD baitcasting reel on my trout rod for a couple years and i like it a lot. i find that because the line comes off straight you dont get lure spin as much when you're down deep. i can only use it in the hut tho as they dont play well when they get cold and ice up. lost one last year cause she was frozen and couldnt reel lol!
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I think all types of reels will have issues with freezing up if conditions are right.. I do love the inline reels for ice fishing but in the hut mostly and the nicer days outside..
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I have a couple of baitcasters I use ice fishing and they work flawless as long as your in a hut. I found they tend to freeze up easy out in the elements. Also have an Eagle Claw inline which works really well both inside and out in the elements.
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The bait casters are great for dropping heavy jigs and spoons. Low gear ratio, bigger handle if using with gloves. Clean the grease off the retrieve mechanism, it tends to stiffen up a bit in cold weather.
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I used a few including a 25 ur old c3, they all freeze a bit if fishing outside. Used a cheapo kastking last year amd worked well. Going to use the same this season.
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QUOTE (Matthew_Mazereeuw @ Nov 06, 2019 - 01:25 pm)
well for starters, what type of fish are you targeting? if you're targeting perch/panfish, an actual bait caster (not a inline reel) doesn't seem necessary. In addition, even if targeting larger fish, I personally tend to prefer spinning reels as I prefer the drag system. I find spinning reel drag tends to be smoother, as well as it might sound silly but since a spinning reel clicks and makes sound when it is pulled, it allows me to know how well my drag is set without looking at the spool. that allows me to focus watching my line and making sure it doesn't catch on the ice and break off. one benefit of the bait casters, is the line retrieve ratios tend to be much faster on bait casters. if targeting lakers or whitefish in deep water, you may find this beneficial.
In terms of specific bait casters to get, I know you'd mentioned that you don't want to use your bass reels, but hey if those are the reels you like, buy one just for ice fishing! if you like it for open water, im sure you'd like it for ice! Shimano SLX would be a nice affordable option.
One more benefit to spinning reels, brands like Shimano have introduced core protect which is basically seals to protect the bearing points from water... in turn, I use my Shimano Nasci's all winter long for ice fishing and all summer, and they're showing no sign of wear or corrosion whatsoever. still as smooth as they day I bought them.
I have a dozen spinning reel set ups for ice fishing and just wanted to play with something different. Was planning on using this type of set up for WF jigging with meegs or vibrato.
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Guys it was a joke....bait casting reels...since you're not casting.... lol
I can see the benefits but yeah lol spinning reels for me never had an issue then again i dont fish lake simcoe more than twice a year usually and ive never caught a laker or whitefish yet lol
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QUOTE (Jstubbs @ Nov 08, 2019 - 12:09 pm)
Guys it was a joke....bait casting reels...since you're not casting.... lol
I can see the benefits but yeah lol spinning reels for me never had an issue then again i dont fish lake simcoe more than twice a year usually and ive never caught a laker or whitefish yet lol
I have a bait castor and a spinning reel and every time I switch back to my spinning reel I ask myself "why am I still using my bait castor?" lol. No one's ever 'rat nested' a spinning reel.
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Ice fishing baitcaster reels, Suggestions?
