Ice fishing spinning reels?

[profisher]

What size and kind of spinning reel should I buy? The ones that come on the combos seem cheap and flimsy. Can I buy one that I would normally put on a regular size spinning rod?  Im targeting mainly crappie, perch, and walleye.

[billybob851]

I use my pflueger presidents size 25 on my regular rod then my ice rod. its a little big but works great and at $60 im able to use it year round.  Most combo reels i have seen seem like junk compared to the president

[aquarium234]

I like Okuma bait runner reels, only $45 have held up great in the cold, and they have the free run feature which is great if your want to leave your rod in the water while you run to a flag....... :-) I add the coldwater lube myself, but my buddy doesn't and his seems to hold up well in the cold.

[DR.SPECKLER]

any shimano reels in 500 size.

[FG Steve]

I have used small Mitchell reels for years.  I use five 53" rods to fish for large trout and just refreshed all five with Mitchell 310 Pro reels.  I really like the 310 Pro.

You should be able to find something small enough to match your selected rods, if you want to go with spinning reels.

 

What size and kind of spinning reel should I buy?

One that matches your rods well, and fits in your budget.

Can I buy one that I would normally put on a regular size spinning rod?

Absolutely.  You may discover that your favorite reel is available in a smaller size.

Good luck and let us know what you get!

[Junkie4Ice]

I like the Pfleuger president 20 for my UL in summer and will be using it in winter on a noodle rod. I would agree that the 25 is probably a little more realistic if you're gonna target walleye consistently at all.

[DaveSS1]

For the price the Shimano siennas have been nice.  I normally run the 500 size.  Decent drag and mostly use mine for crappie, perch and walleye.  Most places sell them for $29.99  If you shop around you can find them from $20-25.  I scored my better deals at both dicks and cabelas online for this particular reel.

[SLAYERFISH]

Why would you run a crappy cheap reel for ice fishing. I use Shimano Symetres or Saharas on mine. A smooth excellent drag is MORE important on ice than open water-

[Deal Ninja]

What size and kind of spinning reel should I buy? The ones that come on the combos seem cheap and flimsy. Can I buy one that I would normally put on a regular size spinning rod?  Im targeting mainly crappie, perch, and walleye.

If you tell us what you're willing to spend, we could whittle down the list of dozens of reels available that range from $25-$30 (Pflueger Trion 25, Shimano Sienna 500) up to $230 Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 1000 to 3 or 4 in your comfort price range.

DN 

[missoulafish]

What the Dr. said:)

[profisher]

If you tell us what you're willing to spend, we could whittle down the list of dozens of reels available that range from $25-$30 (Pflueger Trion 25, Shimano Sienna 500) up to $230 Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 1000 to 3 or 4 in your comfort price range.

DN

I think for my first real setup i want to spend under $50. I do like Pfluegers. Do most people run braid these days with flouro leader or just straight flouro?

[KinnickResident]

In my opinion a Pflueger 6920 is the absolute perfect ice fishing reel.

[Deal Ninja]

I think for my first real setup i want to spend under $50. I do like Pfluegers. Do most people run braid these days with flouro leader or just straight flouro?

Thanks.  That helps a bunch.  These are all good choices and very popular reels.  The President 6925 is slightly larger than the others.  Keep an eye on the Best Deals thread.  These reels often go on sale for much better prices.  The only real deal in this bunch today is the Trion.  It's normally $30.  Either President model or the Tica are solid performers.

Pflueger Trion - $23.96  https://www.amazon.com/Pflueger-TRI20X-Trion-Spinning-Reel/dp/B00CJJ9QHI/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WDPCERA1XG7KB56A9R78

Shimano Sienna - $30  https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Sienna-Front-Drag-Spinning/dp/B0032K3EL2/ref=pd_ybh_a_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1KTG5PP2WDW2CNRWZWP8

Pflueger President 6920 - $46.50  https://www.amazon.com/Pflueger-President-Spinning-Reel/dp/B005OU1BOK/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=S1CWC1HSD6A3GN31P3X2&th=1&psc=1
 
Pflueger President 6925 - $49.95  http://www.glensoutdoors.com/pflueger-president-spinning-reel-6925x.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgOHxpvHU1gIVlbrACh0AVwkEEAYYASABEgKd0fD_BwE  Small reel.

Tica SS500 Cetus - $55.00  https://www.amazon.com/TICA-SS500-Cetus-Trout-Fishing/dp/B000BS0IY4/ref=pd_ybh_a_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G2JPY54ENECH0F21B893

DN

[profisher]

Thanks.  That helps a bunch.  These are all good choices and very popular reels.  The President 6925 is slightly larger than the others.  Keep an eye on the Best Deals thread.  These reels often go on sale for much better prices.  The only real deal in this bunch today is the Trion.  It's normally $30.  Either President model or the Tica are solid performers.

Pflueger Trion - $23.96  https://www.amazon.com/Pflueger-TRI20X-Trion-Spinning-Reel/dp/B00CJJ9QHI/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WDPCERA1XG7KB56A9R78

Shimano Sienna - $30  https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Sienna-Front-Drag-Spinning/dp/B0032K3EL2/ref=pd_ybh_a_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1KTG5PP2WDW2CNRWZWP8

Pflueger President 6920 - $46.50  https://www.amazon.com/Pflueger-President-Spinning-Reel/dp/B005OU1BOK/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=S1CWC1HSD6A3GN31P3X2&th=1&psc=1
 
Pflueger President 6925 - $49.95  http://www.glensoutdoors.com/pflueger-president-spinning-reel-6925x.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgOHxpvHU1gIVlbrACh0AVwkEEAYYASABEgKd0fD_BwE  Small reel.

Tica SS500 Cetus - $55.00  https://www.amazon.com/TICA-SS500-Cetus-Trout-Fishing/dp/B000BS0IY4/ref=pd_ybh_a_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G2JPY54ENECH0F21B893

DN

Hey thanks. Makes my life much easier. Im digging the president for sure.

[KinnickResident]

Hey thanks. Makes my life much easier. Im digging the president for sure.

I have 11 of them and all have been flawless. For the money I don't believe there is a better reel out there.

Actually 12 now that I think of it. I bought my girlfriend a 6925 Lady President for her birthday the first year we met. She had never fished in her life and now she's even cleaning gills and googling fish recipes all the time.

6920 x 5 for ice fishing
6925 x 3 for open water panfish
6930 x 3 for open water walleye and bass

[Junkie4Ice]

I think for my first real setup i want to spend under $50. I do like Pfluegers. Do most people run braid these days with flouro leader or just straight flouro?

Straight fluoro - never been a big fan of braid except for my tip-downs set up for eyes.

[KinnickResident]

I think for my first real setup i want to spend under $50. I do like Pfluegers. Do most people run braid these days with flouro leader or just straight flouro?

If you fish outside a lot I'd stick with mono since braid likes to freeze up. I don't like flouro on ice because most ice fishing size reels have a small spool and it tends to want to jump off like a slinky.

The advantages to flouro are negated especially with panfish since you should be using 2-3 lb test anyway which is super thin diameter and not very visible to begine with.

Here's the guideline I use myself.

Anything outside when temps are low, or in less than 30' of water----Mono

Deep water stuff 30' and deeper inside a shelter----Braid to eliminate the stretch

I love the hi-vis green Trilene Ice, 2lb test. It's plenty strong and I can see to tie it. I pulled a 22.5" bass out of a local pond with it back in January.

[KinnickResident]

Hey thanks. Makes my life much easier. Im digging the president for sure.

Also, not sure if this helps your decision but a 110YD pony of 3# line fits perfectly on the spool of a 6920.

[Deal Ninja]

Actually 12 now that I think of it. I bought my girlfriend a 6925 Lady President for her birthday the first year we met. She had never fished in her life and now she's even cleaning gills and googling fish recipes all the time.

You want a couple more on the REALLY cheap?  Surprise her!

Here:
http://www.glensoutdoors.com/pflueger-lady-president-spinning-reel-6925lb.html  $29.95
http://www.glensoutdoors.com/pflueger-lady-president-spinning-reel-6930lb.html  $32.99

AND...if you buy one of each or two of the same, you'll pass the $49 FREE Shipping threshold.  A sweet deal for the sweet lady fisher! 

DN

 

[rdhammah]

any shimano reels in 500 size.

agree. if you're looking to get out cheap, the Shimano Sienna 500. I used this for everything. I have a rod with the 1000 size for Pike, should I ever go.

[chilly-willy]

agree. if you're looking to get out cheap, the Shimano Sienna 500. I used this for everything. I have a rod with the 1000 size for Pike, should I ever go.

Pfluger and shimano never a problem.. shimano sedona and solstice landed many salmon on them browns steel walleye etc.on them. Landed to many momories on my pfluger Trions to..

[mushroom_capd_1]

I've had Pflueger Presidents and Trions, Shimano Saharas and Siennas, and Mitchell Avocets, and honestly would recommend any of these reels for icefishing. It all boils down to what you are willing to spend really.

[Unclegillhunter]

One more for Pflueger Presidents. Have 3 6920 reels two for open water one for ice, 2 6925 reels for open water. All have been great reels.
Keep it safe! JDL

[Meterman]

Has anyone tried the Okuma Avenger Bait Feeding Spinning Reel, ABF-20b should be a good size?   Last winter, a fish pulled my son's St. Croix spring bobber rod in the water since the bail was closed on the reel.   I am hoping the bait feeding feature will allow the spring bobber feature to work and save the rod if a fish runs with the bait.   BTW - we were lucky on the rod, another fisherman pulled it up the next day and it still had a 6-8 lb burbot on the line!

[lostbrit]

Those bait runners I feel are too big for standard ice fishing maybe ok for lakers/pike stuff like that but pan fish not my choice. Pfluger (spelling) is my go to reels.

[Deal Ninja]

Hey profisher, I have a little deal for you (or anyone else wanting a 6920 President for this season).  Field & Stream is having a Flash Sale today and one of the items in the sale is a Pflueger President combo; 6920 reel and a 4' 8" UL IM8 graphite rod for $48.98.  Spend another $1.00 on an Eagle Claw license holder (or some other little inexpensive item) to get you over the $49 free shipping threshold and you basically get the reel you need at a fair price, a license holder and a bonus UL IM8 rod tossed in for free and free shipping.  I'm sure the rod isn't anything fancy, but what the heck, right?

Like this:  https://www.fieldandstreamshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/OrderItemDisplay?catalogId=11101&langId=-1&storeId=11201&storeId=11201&krypto=JLYLeG%2BlWIyt3LG%2FghJHmXJvHqTLmCnk7hAGZIG2I2EBi4L1TeM0VDh%2BT37MR1Z9m2OEOx43iNT0Rm9jDE8wyyWrOkqM7HtDU1voGukaDQDs0BTMVIh%2BjTEC%2B4X7UxYZhkBwtA%2Bd9WW99wR2SRjLkmMskTuVGzDLjzSSgl69ztC7zY62GLiDbdLHmJ5VLutn2IPBeDnwThIScH88EM9PhDEc3xiE1RY2oCYjq7PNQsA1ZE%2BzlzRKu3CngJ1mgcyJ3V8wgeVYDaplyQbUfDi3VchB9WUVnWjewbdHKfwj2PC1F4ZE1c7zUTTfoV4MBVYdL030fBS%2F%2FOCKGMp7bYxHyJKFmTQqx%2B2n8F78t5LrfmvRPP2fSmVkqOVF4wuXs9%2F0Ivpn8F6z%2FYguQLGCR98X03pliEabMRnMpJqjjJoAUEuAjVZB9N8BhW2HrR04Ou15TL1tRQfoHySsSJZn2UhiNw%3D%3D&ddkey=http%3AOrderCalculate#

DN

[GP]

I've been using Shimano Sahara/Symetre for the last couple of years in the 500 size and they have been great.  I could be wrong, but I don't think Shimano makes 500 size reels anymore.

[chilly-willy]

Cabelas has the 1325x and 1335x pflueger pursuit on sale for 39.99 right now just a heads up.. the 1325x is good for 4 lb test line were yhe 1335x is good for 8 lb line..

[IFF]

I cashed in on the Gander Mountain Liquidation sales.  Left hand Lew's bait cast reels ($129) for $28.89 each out the door.  For pannies I will stick to the two black betty 6061's  So I am cheap, even got more reel lube I will ever use in my lifetime at 80% off too