# 8 Inline Reel Sneak Peak

[Stinkybaits]

8 fishing coming out with a new inline reel this year. Don't know anything about it other than the picture and the retail price of $34.99.

[MBrown4]

I do believe that 13 fishing is the same company. This could be a plastic 6061.good for panfish

[brittlab]

From their FB page:

little more about this amazing ice reel...

The CGi ice reel is packed full of features all ice anglers demand, and for a price that will not break the bank at 34.99.

This inline reel is built on a carbon frame making it extremely light weight and less susceptible to cold conditions.

The built in fender is an added feature that allows you to palm the reel, freeing your hand from the revolving spool.

It comes equipped with a high-spin free spool that allows you to send the smallest baits to the depths.

The gearing on the CGi is 2.7:1 making this reel extremely efficient when fishing at any depth of water.

A bait-clicker is also an added feature making it easy to detect dead-stick bites.

[Stinkybaits]

Hopefully drag stays in place. Eagle Claws worked ok after adding a second washer which by looking at the schematics should of had two to begin with. 8 looks good in the pic! I'll try one out. Nice that it doesn't break the bank.

[wallydiven]

I'll be ordering 6. Thanks for the info

[PTOjim]

We have plenty on the way! We can ship too!

[filetandrelease]

I'll have stop over to my buds and put my hands on one , looks good

[MBrown4]

Let me know what you think release

[GWK]

what is the weight of this reel?

[Stinkybaits]

Tore the reel down side by side next to an Eagle Claw. Conclusion was for an extra 9 bucks retail you get the added palm fender and couple other cosmetics other than that nothing. Both reels are ok for the money imo and both extended the length of the stem. So the new Eagle Claws have longer stems making them more friendly to bulky gloves I guess. It's still side bulky I taped it on at a bit of a slant so it's not pulling down on the rod handle. It feels a bit awkward attached normally. The link has the break down pics.
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=292850.20

[tater140]

Did they fix the drag at all?  The eagle claw's always loosen up on me and I end up cranking air.

[Stinkybaits]

It's better actually and seems smoother only thing I could see different was some hairline cuts all through the outer bearing assembly ring. Not sure if that's what it's called but last year's was solid. I used the CGI today vertical fishing I liked it.

[maddogg]

Tore the reel down side by side next to an Eagle Claw. Conclusion was for an extra 9 bucks retail you get the added palm fender and couple other cosmetics other than that nothing. Both reels are ok for the money imo and both extended the length of the stem. So the new Eagle Claws have longer stems making them more friendly to bulky gloves I guess. It's still side bulky I taped it on at a bit of a slant so it's not pulling down on the rod handle. It feels a bit awkward attached normally. The link has the break down pics.
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=292850.20

Are the #8 inline reels ambidextrous? The reason I'm asking is on the Fishing USA website they sell a right or left hand model.

[OldSailor]

They are NOT ambidextrous, that's why they come left or right handed!! 

[mushroom_capd_1]

Are the #8 inline reels ambidextrous? The reason I'm asking is on the Fishing USA website they sell a right or left hand model.

To answer your question, no they are not. If you look at the picture above you will notice the "fender" is in a fixed position and part of the body of the reel itself. I think you might run into line retrieval problems if you were to try flipping the bearings and using it for the opposite hand it was intended for by the looks of the angle on the back of that fender.

[Stinkybaits]

Are the #8 inline reels ambidextrous? The reason I'm asking is on the Fishing USA website they sell a right or left hand model.

You can flip the bearing assemble still like the Eagle Claws but that would put the palm guard on the front side of the reel. That's why they have left and right hand options.

[maddogg]

They are NOT ambidextrous, that's why they come left or right handed!! 

Thanks Old Sailor,

 When they say right handed I take it they mean you would reel with your right hand.

[OldSailor]

You are correct!!  Let's say you have your spinning reel handle on the left side, that would be considered left handed.  But spinning reels, among others can be switched, the No. 8 GCI can't. Just like a baitcaster can't. If you like holdind the rod in one certain hand then you want the handle on the opposite side. Sounds confusing when you fish right handed and buy a left handed reel!!

[NEicebuster]

Mine will be here Tuesday!!!