Author Topic: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels  (Read 13366 times)

Offline jbird68

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Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« on: Oct 06, 2007, 01:56 PM »
Anyone use a baitcasting reel for ice fishing? I have spinning reels and was just wondering if anyone uses a baitcaster and if there are any benefits to using one.
jbird68





Offline duck doctor

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #1 on: Oct 06, 2007, 02:31 PM »
Anyone use a baitcasting reel for ice fishing? I have spinning reels and was just wondering if anyone uses a baitcaster and if there are any benefits to using one.

I use a Penn 9M and a Daiwa 17LC on my laker rods.

Offline BottomDweller

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #2 on: Oct 06, 2007, 02:42 PM »
better free-fall when you're dropping your jig, more line capacity.  i use shimano and okuma; i love the shimanos, but the okumas need a little more time to develop their products to ice-fishing standards.  i know penns are good -my buddy uses them exclusively

Offline BottomDweller

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #3 on: Oct 06, 2007, 02:43 PM »
i'll use small spinning reels for my light-line small tackle fishing, but bait-casters are more, as the Dr. put it, for larger fish like lakers and pike

Offline jbird68

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #4 on: Oct 06, 2007, 03:14 PM »
I basically pan fish in the winter. But last year I caught a few nice bass and a couple of good sized Catfish. Since I wouldn't be using it to cast with, but instead just drop my jig down the hole, I was wondering how a baitcaster would allow me to do this...especially in cold weather. My jigs are very light.
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Offline BottomDweller

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #5 on: Oct 06, 2007, 04:17 PM »
like i said, when it comes to ultralight tackle, go with a small spinning reel.  there's gotta be some weight to pull the line out of a big bait caster - when i use my baitcasters, i'm fishing for lakers with a jig that's usually 1/2 - 1 oz, with 10 lb or stronger line.  when i break out the ultralight gear for brookies, i get my little shakespeare rods with tiny spinning reels on them...   but everyone has their own preferences.

Offline fish_boy

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #6 on: Oct 06, 2007, 10:28 PM »
I use a bait caster for walleye. Also can be used better in deeper water. The only thing with bait casters is if you're using them on the open ice they tend to get stiff due to the grease on the retrevial mechanism. Also have a biuld up of ice on the little travelling eye at the front of the reel.


Offline Prairiegoat

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #7 on: Oct 08, 2007, 10:36 AM »
A bass pro friend just made me a custom 30" pistol grip rod which I am teaming with a 400B Calcutta by Shimano for pike. I'll let you know how it performs come winter.

Offline Mikey B

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #8 on: Oct 09, 2007, 03:22 PM »
I guess i am out of the norm, and use a medium Diawa baitcaster, paid like 30 bucks for it, for panfishing. Couple things that i dont get when using a baitcaster, are less line coil and less line twist, as compared to a spinning reel.
Also i think a decent baitcaster has a better drag when using 2&4 lb. line. For a rod i use a lite 28 inch. panfish rod and just tape the reel on. Also use a spring bobber.
Have no trouble getting a jig down, and i fish from 3 to 25 ft. down, just pull line off the reel with your left hand. 

Offline fiskyknut

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #9 on: Oct 09, 2007, 08:48 PM »
I have 2 rods set up with baitcast reels. Abu Morrum SX1601 on a custom rod, I use this one for the Walters mostly while jigging mid sized and large Walleye spoons, blades and swim baits. The other is a Abu 4601 R Gunnar Sprint on a Genz MH, mainly used for Piking on the LOTW, big Doctors and such,  but this set up will also work a Sutton West River well and the larger swimbaits. As mentioned above these baitcast reels have a great drag and twist/coil your line alot less than spinning types.

Offline Tmuskie

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #10 on: Oct 19, 2014, 02:16 PM »
I realise this 7yrs old. What's everyones thought now on Baitcasting reels?
There's a hole in the Ice,  Dear Liza, Dear Liza.
There's a hole in the ice, Dear Liza, a hole.

Well fish it, Dear Henry, Dear Henry, Dear Henry
Well fish it Dear Henry. Dear Henry, Fish it.

Offline Muskyrush

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #11 on: Oct 19, 2014, 05:32 PM »
I use a left handed bait caster when I'm down on Erie for walleye

Offline rdhammah

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #12 on: Oct 19, 2014, 05:56 PM »
one thing that was not covered (something that I was told) like the straight line reels, eliminates twisting of the line. I'm gonna try it this year

Offline Trouty

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #13 on: Oct 19, 2014, 06:06 PM »
My go to reel for lakers.

Offline Tmuskie

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #14 on: Oct 19, 2014, 06:06 PM »
Would you use braid? If so. What size?
There's a hole in the Ice,  Dear Liza, Dear Liza.
There's a hole in the ice, Dear Liza, a hole.

Well fish it, Dear Henry, Dear Henry, Dear Henry
Well fish it Dear Henry. Dear Henry, Fish it.

Offline rdhammah

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #15 on: Oct 19, 2014, 06:20 PM »
I'm going with 10# Berkley Crystal braid with a mono leader. 

Offline Tmuskie

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #16 on: Oct 19, 2014, 06:43 PM »
I'll check it out. Thanks.
There's a hole in the Ice,  Dear Liza, Dear Liza.
There's a hole in the ice, Dear Liza, a hole.

Well fish it, Dear Henry, Dear Henry, Dear Henry
Well fish it Dear Henry. Dear Henry, Fish it.

Offline Duckbutter

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #17 on: Oct 20, 2014, 01:08 PM »
When I am jigging for burbot, I usually like my baitcaster (Lew's Tournament), but hate it when it freezes up.  It's also good for Lakers, and mainly stays in the shelter.
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Offline OldSailor

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #18 on: Oct 20, 2014, 01:19 PM »
I have two small Ryobi V-MAG 3 casting reels and I'm going to find an ice rod with a casting handle and try it this winter! I've put them in the freezer for several hours and no freeze up! Just worried about the level wind because I'm a bucket fisherman! If I fished out of some sort of shelter I wouldn't worry about it at all!!! Hard ice and tight lines!!!! @)
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Offline dangle

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #19 on: Oct 20, 2014, 01:23 PM »
I agree with MickyB. I prefer bait cast reels. I use them on most of my rods.

Offline fish8mybait

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #20 on: Oct 20, 2014, 02:48 PM »
I had all sorts of issues with my son getting backlash on spinning reels so I switched him to a little trigger style baitcaster. It solved the problem and I actually used it a few times and liked it. I can see how it helps with coiling too.

Someone earlier also mentioned inline reels. They are great! Almost no line memory anymore. I primarily fish for gills and crappies.

Offline Muskyrush

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #21 on: Oct 20, 2014, 03:52 PM »
I use 10# power pro with a 2-3' flouro leader

Offline alaskaruss1

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #22 on: Jan 02, 2015, 01:17 PM »
I have been reading through old threads trying to decide on a low profile baitcaster that is compact in size and has a good drag. Was looking at the Bass Pro Crappie b aitcast reel and wondering if anyone has any input on them? ???

Offline revpilot

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #23 on: Jan 02, 2015, 01:25 PM »
I love the spiral wrapped baitcaster rods, and I just reoutfitted mine with new Daiwa's from the Cabelas bargain cave for 29$ each





Offline FISHN NIK

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #24 on: Jan 02, 2015, 01:54 PM »
Hey RP,
        Thats a slick setup,who makes those rods or are they custom and where can I find one if not custom?Do you use them on Erie?thanks for reply



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Offline alaskaruss1

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #25 on: Jan 02, 2015, 01:58 PM »
I love the spiral wrapped baitcaster rods, and I just reoutfitted mine with new Daiwa's from the Cabelas bargain cave for 29$ each



That looks like a sweet set up....THANKS !!

Offline revpilot

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #26 on: Jan 02, 2015, 02:03 PM »
Hey RP,
        Thats a slick setup,who makes those rods or are they custom and where can I find one if not custom?Do you use them on Erie?thanks for reply



                                              FN


Yes they are custom and I paid around $45 each I think , ive been using these on Erie for a long time and love them.

Offline stinkyfingers

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #27 on: Jan 02, 2015, 02:21 PM »

Yes they are custom and I paid around $45 each I think , ive been using these on Erie for a long time and love them.
I'd pay that for a custom spiral. It looks you have two different kinds. Would you mind sharing who made them for you and I'll budget for next season? I've got a couple of left hand ABU 5500C's that I want to set up for Northern.
We're born, we live for a while, and then we die.  Sounds like a good reason to go ice fishing.
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Offline FISHN NIK

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #28 on: Jan 02, 2015, 07:59 PM »
Thanks RP,
           I do a little rod building and could probably make a rod like that.


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Offline fishermantim

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Re: Baitcasting Ice Fishing Reels
« Reply #29 on: Jan 02, 2015, 08:08 PM »
I have been reading through old threads trying to decide on a low profile baitcaster that is compact in size and has a good drag. Was looking at the Bass Pro Crappie b aitcast reel and wondering if anyone has any input on them? ???

I have one and it's one of my more active reel/rod rigs.
Rigged with 4-6lb. ice braid with a 6 lb. mono leader.
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