Spinning reels

[flyhaven]

Is there anything special about ice fishing spinning reels I see on combos?I have a small micro spinning reel I can use if I buy an ice rod.

[slipperybob]

yes...they're usually a waste.
no...they're usually garbage.

[SirCranksalot]

yes...they're usually a waste.
no...they're usually garbage.

Yup---just use a reg 'summer' reel of good quality. I like my Simano Sienna 1000---not the top of the line, but works well.

[fishEH]

I really like the Tica 500's. I have a Diawa 500 size and it sucks. It has a sticky spot and the handle is sorta tough to turn. The Tica's are great.

[missoulafish]

Bob nailed it... you get what you pay for.

[WYIfish]

I use little high end spinning reels and they are fine except for the line twist. I love the small bait casters.

[Bryfish84]

I use a pfflueger President. Love it.

[RStock521]

I've had good luck with the Shimano Sienna 500's.  I got one of those Okuma Ceymar 10's, and the first one was rough to turn, and the second one isn't much better.  Maybe I got a couple duds, but I'm glad I didn't pay the $50 asking price for it.

[bootstrap]

i have been using summer type reels and am ready to buy dedicated ice reels. like the Ht accucasts. with the long necks for better use with gloves. and are made for short rods.

[maddogg]

Most ice reels are not high quality. I guess it depends on what your budget is.
But back to your question some ice reels have the head of the reel tilted more toward the rod, because of the short distance to the first line guide. Some have longer reel seat to accommodate for gloves.
 

[HWeber]

Ht accucasts are a heck of an ice reel for around $20, there's plenty of "better" reels out there but accucasts do the job very well 

[JohnnyO19]

I use all my reels year round. I'd much rather have the confidence in my equipment all the time, than worry about something new, breaking down. Just need to change out the line more

[RStock521]

Cabelas Fish Eagle reels in the 500 size also aren't too bad.  They often go on sale for $17 and come with two spools.

[bootstrap]

i guess some of it depends on if you are going to be in a heated shack or outside in the elements with gloves on.

[clmiller]

Okuma spinning reels are one of my favorite, can get a little pricey.

[flyhaven]

thanks for the input.

[panfishman13]

i really like the new Okuma alaris reels. they have a large line capacity, the drag and anti-reverse is stellar, and they're pretty affordable! i like the 20 size, it's a bit on the large side for ice rods, but not too big, and that extra line capacity really comes in handy for larger fish.

[HWeber]

i really like the new Okuma alaris reels. they have a large line capacity, the drag and anti-reverse is stellar, and they're pretty affordable! i like the 20 size, it's a bit on the large side for ice rods, but not too big, and that extra line capacity really comes in handy for larger fish.

I'm curious what are you fishing for that you need all that line?

[Walleyewacker007]

Pfluger president and president xt here. Got about 12 or 13 of them, very smooth with 7 or 10 bearings depending on the size.(micro 20 size has 7) Only $49 for micro, $59 for larger president, $79 for any size xt.(carbon hanle with cork) Love these for ice and open water, you can spend more $, but hard to get much better of a reel for any price.

[eriksat1]

Around here it is hard to find just a good ice fishing rod anymore. It seems I have to buy the rod reel combo. When I find the rod I like and take the piece of junk reel off.

[3300]

Is there anything special about ice fishing spinning reels I see on combos?I have a small micro spinning reel I can use if I buy an ice rod.

so just buy a rod you want to go with your reel for starters.
in time you'll probably pick a favorite reel and won't want to buy any combo and the same goes with the rod. you may change your mind on a favorite item and will want to keep the other favorite item to go with your new favorite.
for me a like a rod i can't buy any more so all of my different reels are on those.
after you get too many reels then you don't have to swap them out for open water fishing. so it's a slow process of collecting and what you like to use.

[1moslab]

On the upside the combo reels are great for catch and release

[Deal Ninja]

I have:

2 Shimano   500 Siennas 
1 Pflueger  6920 President
2 Shimano 1000 Saharas
4 Shimano   500 Symmetres
1 Shimano 1000 Saros
2 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061s
1 Pflueger 9525 Patriarch
2 Shimano  1000 Stradic Ci4+ FAMLs

You can see for the most part, I'm a Shimano guy, but I have 4 Pflueger Patriarch XTs I use for open water as well a number of larger size Shimanos.  All of these reels are capable and functional from $30 to $200+.  The more expensive reels will stay smoother and tighter feeling longer as bushings are replaced by bearings, and cheap metal and composite bodies are replaced with carbon and magnesium bodies and precision cut gears as opposed to stamped.  The ones in my hand 90% of the time are the Ci4+s though.  One is on a 26" Widow Maker and one is on a 27" Tickle Stick.

DN 

[mvanhank222]

Unless it comes in a combo you would be nuts not to go with Shimano sienna 500 or 1000 for under $30 they can’t be beat.

[Duck-Hunter]

When it comes to panfishing you can't beat a schooley reel. Less than $5 and the original "inline" reel.  All I use

[bshirtd]

Another sienna fan. I'm not sure id put a stradic on an ice fishing rod seems like overkill......

[DR.SPECKLER]

shimano sienna 500 series user here. but any model shimano in the 500 size are good reels.when buying a combo it seem that the reel sucks or the rod does.i stay away from buying cheap rod/reel combos.

[straightShot]

I like Pflueger President reels, and pick them up when they go on sale.  I use them on my ice fishing rods and my warm water rods.  I thought that I'd like the 6920 model for ice fishing since it's the smallest, but I prefer the 6925 over the smaller model since I can quickly turn the handle on the 6925 to make the reel smaller to fit into a rod case.  To use it, I just quickly turn the handle in the opposite direction and tighten it.  With the 6920, I have to tighten the round, plastic end cap just like on cheap ice fishing combos that you pick up for $20, and it seems to loosen up sometimes when I'm using it.

[Mountain Maggot]

There is a natural attraction to spinning reels.  They are the most popular casting reel.  Over the years I’ve drifted away from spinning reels for ice fishing.  With light rods, though there is a better balance with spinning reels than other reels.  But even the more expensive makes and models give me issues in the extreme cold.  Combine this with the small spools that curl some line or spool out better ice line prematurely, I’ve almost completely switched to either small baitcast or level wind reels.  But beware that cheap crappie-type micro baitcast reels are not without issue with faulty drags.

And yes with proper maintenance using hotsauce or other good lubricants the can make certain of the microspinning reels work fine, the reality is I generally don’t have the time or interest in high maintenance during the short season when we have hard water.

[winterbuddy]

, but I prefer the 6925 over the smaller model since I can quickly turn the handle on the 6925 to make the reel smaller to fit into a rod case.  To use it, I just quickly turn the handle in the opposite direction and tighten it. 

FYI, the new PRESSP20 has that handle feature on the micro size; these replace the 6920.