Fly the Team Iceshanty Flag! Iceshanty Proshop
I'm going to pass on the reel but I did find a nice new rod I want from the site.
It looks pretty cool but I'm not sure what kind of applications it would be for. It looks like a baitcaster fell in love with a spinning reel and they popped out a kid.
I talked with a dealer about this reel and this is what they told me. The theory behind the reel was to build a reel that would have the characteristics of a fly reel with a larger arbor preventing line twist and spinning jigs into a reel that ran more like a spinning reel and that is what they came up with. IMHO it is just down right ugly and for 120 bucks it better light a smoke and bait a hook too.
That would be that dealer's opinion. Something new brings skepticism. It's a "straigth-line" reel, just like their previous two models and like a few others on the market; with some added features (nice features by what I see and have been told by those that have handled the reel). Definitlly reduces line twist and can aide in getting your lure back down to the fish quicker. Really depends on what you are fishing for and how you are fishing, i.e. depth. Some of us can do with a stick and a few feet of string.I always like the "new" stuff; I can afford it and I like to play when it comes to fishing through the ice. That's all. If these reels and rods don't work out for me they will go to one of my sons to enjoy.
Are people using these reels for pan fish or lake trout and walleye? How much 6lb line can fit on the reel. I think the black Betty reel does not hold a lot of line if I remember correctly
My dealer said it'll drop a 1/32 ounce jig as if it weighed an ounce.
Looks like these are out to retailers already! They sure look like they would be fun to check out. http://anglersguidehq.com/black-betty-tear-drop-in-line-ice-reel/