IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Topic started by: steve339 on Feb 03, 2010, 10:45 PM
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I recently purchased a St Croix Premier Ice combo package. The reel is held on the handle by two "rubber bands". The package said to apply heat from a hair dryer. I did and it did shrink the bands a little, but the reel still moves around. Is this normal? Do I need to add more heat? Or do I need to just tape it with electrical tape? Thanks in advance for your input.
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you need to heat it until it doesn't move at all.
I actually still like using tape over these heat shrink tubes, seems like they are smoother on the cradle of your hands.
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I use black electrical tape.I have 6 St.Croix rods,my favorite rods.
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I had the same problem with my st croix rods that I just bought. I tried the hair dryer method but that did not work like you said so I used a hand torch. I just had to move it around a lot so not to burn the cork.
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I recommend silicone tape over electrical.
http://www.midsunspecialtyproducts.com/tommy/default.htm (http://www.midsunspecialtyproducts.com/tommy/default.htm)
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I recommend silicone tape over electrical.
http://www.midsunspecialtyproducts.com/tommy/default.htm (http://www.midsunspecialtyproducts.com/tommy/default.htm)
x2
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electical tape (3m brand) has yet to let me down.
J-
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silicone tape is amazing and works great. Another one is co-flex medical tape that sticks only to itself and leaves no sticky residue.Just make sure to pull either one tight when wrapping.
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Silicone tape comfortable long lasting and great holding power.
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I use velcrow straps...works okay.
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I use 3M electrical tape, but the silicone tape sounds worth trying.
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I ran an electrical pull tie through the rod holders & pulled it tight.
Problem solved.
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I tape over the heat shrink, and the best tape option is Hockey tape...it is meant to add grip and to be use on ice...what more can you ask for
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been using electrical tape on my ice fishing rods for 30 plus years< its all you need to secure a reel on a cork handle, any thing else is a waste of money. would never use a factory made reel seat does nothing but kill the feel.
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I picked up a pack of the silicon rubber "O" rings from B Pro, extremely tight and about 1 inch wide. Had a beatch of a time getting them on, but the reel doesn't move at all. Cost was a couple dollars, comes in a couple different sizes.
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I put the first couple of raps of electrical on backwards on both ends then rap normaly never have the sticky mess when the tape shrinks.JMO.
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I have to agree with others, electrical tape works the best. The roll is small enough to store in a pocket on my rod bag, should I ever need to remove/change reels. I would stay away from reel holders, they do take away some feel and always seem to work loose. By directly attaching the reel to the cork handle you will feel more bites, and it feels more natural in your hands.
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Check out the brown O-rings that I use on my rods:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/hankthecrank/IceFishingEquipMods3-1.jpg)
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That's why I use ice rods with screw down reel seats ::) I like the HT polar lites series.
http://www.icefish.com/catalog/inventory.php?fam=112&cat=47 (http://www.icefish.com/catalog/inventory.php?fam=112&cat=47)
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I tape over the heat shrink, and the best tape option is Hockey tape...it is meant to add grip and to be use on ice...what more can you ask for
Ya, hockey tape eh. :thumbsup:
I find it to be the best.
Fish on
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On my St. Croix's I use electrical or hockey tape, they both work great. Even seated reels can slip out or become loose, tape never fails.
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I use hockey tape also. Dual purpose I also use it to tape the handles on my softball bats.
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I use the band-aid brand self adhesive tape. It sticks to itself not the cork and as long as you wrap it correctly, it stays rock solid all season. And its soft on the hands ;D
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Just seems funny to me that you spend $50 on a nice st. croix and u gotta tape the reel on! i just use the cheap ones or maybe some zipties.
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Just seems funny to me that you spend $50 on a nice st. croix and u gotta tape the reel on! i just use the cheap ones or maybe some zipties.
I dont mind having to tape my reels on, I actually prefer it. It allows me to get perfect hand placement. I hate the zipties, my father in law uses them and they are uncomfortable on the hands
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listen to the JUNKY hockey tape is the way to go its made for ice and has a nice fell to it better then electrical tape
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ok you talked me into it. my next rod will prolly be a premier so il have to get me some hockey tape!
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I have used graphite reelseat bands,just like the ones that would come on a long crappie rod with a tennessee handle for years now. Infinitely adjustable,cheap,they stay in place and it looks better to me than tape. You can find these at any rod repair shop or on-line at Mudhole or any other rod building supply house. They come in three or four different diameters so measure twice,order once!!
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Frabill actually has a product available on their website called reel tape havent tried it yet but i guess its designed to handle cold temps better then electrical tape. heres a link
http://www.frabill.com/rods-reels/reel-tape.html (http://www.frabill.com/rods-reels/reel-tape.html)
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hmmm, interesting, they call it a self adhering tape. So far nothing is better then hockey tape, but this sounds interesting. My company sells something called, it is a self adhering tape that you wrap around casts and such. Not sure if it would take on waterpetvet
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just make sure its not too ruff. dont wanna hurt your hands now junky! ;D lmao j/j
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the one positive thing i like about that frabill tape that i would try it is that fact that they claim it wont leave that stiky residue on the rod handle if you swap reels on its and the site claims the tape is soft for a comfort grip for 6 bucks might be worth a try if ya can do 4 or 5 combos with it.
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Just be careful with that stuff. It says it only sticks to itself. Well it does and if you are wrapping and make a mistake it doesn't come apart. You better be perfect or you might as well throw it in the trash. I bought some the other day and needless to say it ended up in the trash.
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other than having to be a perfectionist with it how did you like the tape?
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It is like a silicone tape. I think the package says that it stretches to 3x its length. In my opinion I think that the reel might move more on the rod than electrical / hockey tape would. If you are going to use this maybe get an extra set of hands. Someone to hold reel on rod and someone to wrap the tape. good luck.
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Sounds like too much perfection is needed hard to do quick on the ice ill stick with electrical tape or hockey tape. As far as sticky residue goes goo gone takes it off
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I use a rubber tape it has a plastic cover on it that you remove before applying. and when you stretch it it fuses to the previous layer. It is very comfortable and doesn't have any glue to become sticky. It is called Self-Amalgamating tape. I use it over top of my good reel seat because it gives me a real comfortable grip.
I just Googled it and it is that Silicone tape that some wrote about.
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Friction Tape - Lowe's $1.75 roll. Same tape used on hockey sticks, baseball bats - great stuff.
Or buy Frabilt tape for 8 or 9 bucks...
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I do alot of electrical work and the friction tape is okay,but i bought the Frabil reel tapre and it works great! It is a thinner than fristion tape and stays ply able in the cold. The Frabil tape is $5.99 at Farm & Fleet,and is well worth it IMO. My poles have the foam handles and it didnt hurt the foam or leave a sitcky residue either. This is a great product by Frabil.
Good Luck!
Matt
Friction Tape - Lowe's $1.75 roll. Same tape used on hockey sticks, baseball bats - great stuff.
Or buy Frabilt tape for 8 or 9 bucks...
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[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nzOfWebKA[/url
This vid shows how Pat from Thorne Bros recommends taping reels on. Works pretty good for me
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Fixed your link, reread the simple instructions on "Hyper Link".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nzOfWebKA&feature=youtube_gdata_player (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nzOfWebKA&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
Tom
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Fixed your link, reread the simple instructions on "Hyper Link".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nzOfWebKA&feature=youtube_gdata_player (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nzOfWebKA&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
Tom
Wow, did this twenty five years ago never had any how to do intructions. LOL
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A product known as "vet wrap" found in the Fleet Farm Equine department would likely work well. This is a non adhesive wrap that stretches and sticks to itself. I've used this to quiet sling swivels on my gun etc. You may want to run some adhesive tape over the top to secure the tail end. I have a rell that is held on by cable ties and plan to do this soon and see how it works. I may well just leave the ties in place and wrap over the top.
Available in many colors as well...
http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/servlet/product_10001_10001_39106_-1_Vet+Wrap,+4+inch_13280_13328_
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The absolute best way to tape the reel on is FIRST use the super thin fiberglass reinforced shipping tape, then most any black cloth electrical tape. The fiberglass reinforced tape is super thin and holds like the reel was welded on. but it is slick so the black cloth tape just covers the fiberglass tape for grip and 1 layer of the cloth tape is needed so virtually ZERO bulk is also a benefit!!!
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A product known as "vet wrap"
hmm, my company sells this stuff, going to have to give it a shot
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I used the Frabill tape last year and it was easy to apply and worked great, it is costly though.
Where are you getting that silicone wrap from? What is the price? It seems to be similar to the Frabill tape.
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This year I will be using Cold Snap reel wraps....a nice alternative to tape and they look sharp too....
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I've got 2 words for you "Baling Wire", fixes EVERYTHING on the farm.
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the cold snap reel wraps are where its at. no tape residue, and it takes under 10 seconds to switch a rod from a shallow water fly reel set up, to a deep water spinning reel.
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I've got 2 words for you "Baling Wire", fixes EVERYTHING on the farm.
For those of us that are Red Green fans, duct tape is the very, very best. ;D ;D :whistle: :icefish:
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For those of us that are Red Green fans, duct tape is the very, very best. ;D ;D :whistle: :icefish:
Yup...the tough part is getting the feathers off :whistle:
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For those of us that are Red Green fans, duct tape is the very, very best. ;D ;D :whistle: :icefish:
"They're ain't to many things in this world that can't be fixed with duct tape and baling wire"
My Grandad used to say that.
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Yup...the tough part is getting the feathers off :whistle:
I use the same thing I use for cleaning Eel Pout. ;D
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Silence is Golden, Duct tape is Silver.
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X3 on the Cold Snap Reel Wrap!!! I like them because it holds the reel tight, and gives you extra grip. I use a lot of custom rods, and they do no damage to the cork also. And they are Cheap!!
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X3 on the Cold Snap Reel Wrap!!! I like them because it holds the reel tight, and gives you extra grip. I use a lot of custom rods, and they do no damage to the cork also. And they are Cheap!!
x4 I cant wait to try mine out.. great idea
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This year I will be using Cold Snap reel wraps....a nice alternative to tape and they look sharp too....
When a rod builder speaks, should we not listen? Is there a chance he knows best?
Thanks topher, for keepin' up with the state of the art and sharin' it.
Here's a link. And some items ship free. :o
http://www.coldsnapcover.com/index.cfm?ptype=results&Category_ID=59&home_id=59&mode=cat (http://www.coldsnapcover.com/index.cfm?ptype=results&Category_ID=59&home_id=59&mode=cat)
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ColdSnap Reel Wraps on my Hardwood handles, free swag from Topher/T7 Custom Rods---- TY Topher!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DasRottweiler/ColdSnpHandles.jpg)
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Viton O-Rings would do the same thing at probably a fraction of the price, that is what I use on my rods, been on them for several years now and still holding fast.
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Sorry I may have to correct myself, just went back to the site and read that the kit is enough for 4 combos. I put 6-8, O-rings on mine where they are only showing 4, when I tried that it was a little weak, so I use 6-8 per combo.
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At 4 Bucks for the cold snaps, that mounts 4 reels for a buck a reel, it works for me ! :thumbsup:
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Sorry I may have to correct myself, just went back to the site and read that the kit is enough for 4 combos. I put 6-8, O-rings on mine where they are only showing 4, when I tried that it was a little weak, so I use 6-8 per combo.
Yuppers, Using the ColdSnaps -4 seems plenty with the Pannie stiks- Gonna bump up to 6 on the "heavier" rods.
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Went back and looked at my pictures and I have been using Viton O-Rings as far back as 2009. They have been on there since then with no failure. Good luck to the people that are marketing them, I guess I missed the boat.
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(http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu96/rynolueck/IMG_20110207_170237.jpg)
It may be a little hard to see but I mark and wrap the cork with masking tape than secure reel with Scotch super 33+ electrical tape (very high quality tape that doesn't shrink or slide) than I pretty it up with a wrap of colored electric tape and than wrap back over with the Scotch tape....this leaves a nice colored accent like the guide wraps. This is over kill and time consuming but what the heck when using a 90 buck rod and 60 dollar reel....looks nice and finished, most importantly functional.
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the cold snap reel wraps are a good idea. All they are is just livestock castration bands. I picked up a bag of 100 bands for couple bucks. work great. just an idea for anyone.
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Interesting first post! :o ;D Definitely cost effective.
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Yup and the cat's finally out of the bag. :o ;D ;)
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Just used the Colsnap rod rings on 2 new Gregs Custom rods he just did for me.Thanks to all here for telling about these Coldsnap rings, they are great!!!! Hold super tight and are reuseable.No more tape for me after putting these on.Now if they would just come in an assortment of colors!!!!!
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Lime green duct tape ;D
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Lime green duct tape ;D
Why green??
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Why green??
So when he drops it in the hole at least it wont be lonely. The fish will cuddle up to it thinking it is a branch. ;D
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electrical tape for me to in different colors been ok for my customs trout ,and steel head rods for over 30+ years
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electrical tape is my favorite
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Castration bands from tractor supply plus bag of 100 $1.99 tool to put them on $9.99 my reel is not going anywhere. same thing as the cold snap bands.
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Rescue Tape. All sorts of colors to choose from too. Similar to Frabill's stuff.
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I am currently using electrical tape and it seems to work very well! Hockey tape sounds like a really good idea too! I tried using the heat shrink rubber bands that came with the st croix rod and I thought they were plenty tight until I got a nice fish on during my lake of the woods trip last year. Needless to say the rubber bands failed and the fish got away.
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I use this tape, its just about like the frabill tape, it is actually thicker and you get 10 feet for about 4 bucks. Fleet Farm has it in the electrical isle.
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff394/Gillfisher/IceShanty%20Pics/IMG_0138-1.jpg)
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Thanks for the tip about the castration bands - I wanted to mount a new Shimano/Meatstick combo up and didn't want to use tape this time.
FleetFarm had them for 1.80 for a hundred pack, more than enough to do all my reels/rods and it works great!
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I picked up a bag of castrating rings for two and a half bucks and you get 100 of them. Same thing as the cold snap things, if not better! Seriously, you can't go wrong! Bomgaars has them of you don't have a bomgaars your local farm store will. Best thing ever!! Check them out!
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There ya go, got enough to mount reels for the rest of your life.
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x2
Siloicone tape!!
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Do the castration bands dent the cork? I would think that enough pressure could cause a.problem.
I like the idea of those so that I could switch between fly and spinning reels easily.
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Well the company that is marketing them said they were tested for 3 years before going to market, so I hope that they researched that out. They fit very tight I would think that they would indeed dent the cork.
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I use this tape, its just about like the frabill tape, it is actually thicker and you get 10 feet for about 4 bucks. Fleet Farm has it in the electrical isle.
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff394/Gillfisher/IceShanty%20Pics/IMG_0138-1.jpg)
Just picked some up @ Sears-- best silicone tape I've found; thicker than the rest
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Well the company that is marketing them said they were tested for 3 years before going to market, so I hope that they researched that out. They fit very tight I would think that they would indeed dent the cork.
they do dent the cork a little, but when you are changing reels, the bands fit into the spot they were in before. i dont think its a big deal.
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Planning on using them on 2 new Thornes Bros. rods. Just want to be sure I don't ruin them.
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Just picked some up @ Sears-- best silicone tape I've found; thicker than the rest
x2
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Rubber Tape or Hockey friction tape
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Holy Smokes! If you try using the castration bands, I recommend paying the extra little bit for the tool to put them on. I used my fingers last night and after the first band I had two fingers caught between the cork and the band. I've never felt my fingers get so cold that fast and then screaming hot 15 minutes later. Needless to say, they were tingling a bit. I am going to purchase the $12 tool this afternoon so I don't end up with nerve damage.
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I used a funnel that I cut to size. It wasn't too easy but it worked.
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Holy Smokes! If you try using the castration bands, I recommend paying the extra little bit for the tool to put them on. I used my fingers last night and after the first band I had two fingers caught between the cork and the band. I've never felt my fingers get so cold that fast and then screaming hot 15 minutes later. Needless to say, they were tingling a bit. I am going to purchase the $12 tool this afternoon so I don't end up with nerve damage.
Thats why the kit from Cold Snap is so nice, it comes with the bands and the tool to install them on your rod.
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Yes, I just didn't want to wait or pay for shipping. A funnel like this would work better than what I had.
(http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/044549/044549050348lg.jpg)
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Cold Snap has free shiping on all of their products.
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I used a funnel that I cut to size. It wasn't too easy but it worked.
Me too - I didn't think it was that bad, but I had one with a much longer neck like the one pictured.
Actually had a worse time cutting off the cheap plastic reel locks and not damaging the cork handle on a Frabil rod.
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Been using 33+ for years. Very high grade electrical tape that stays plyable and doesn't get brittle like cheap electrical tape. Simple and cost effective.
Paul
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The funnel sounds like a good idea. I used a needle nose pliers, rolled the band up over the closed plier onto the handles. Then force a 35 mm film canister, open end facing away from the pliers, inside the band. The pole will now fit inside the canister, just roll the band off the canister onto the pole. It's not too bad. jperch
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I like to use zip ties with electrical tape over that. but thats just me.
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Shrink as much as possible then apply electrical tape tightly
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I follow the pattern they use with zip ties when you buy the jig pole and reel in the stores. The ones I have though have somewhat of a reel as a base to start.
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I use this tape, its just about like the frabill tape, it is actually thicker and you get 10 feet for about 4 bucks. Fleet Farm has it in the electrical isle.
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff394/Gillfisher/IceShanty%20Pics/IMG_0138-1.jpg)
I no longer use this or frabill tape due to the amount of stretch this stuff has. On several occasions I hooked into walleye that were 3 to 5 pounds and the reel would just about come off during the battle and on one walleye it did come off. I had wrapped the reel feet on both sides of the reel a minimum of 4 times and stretched it good as well. The reels seemed like they were tight on the rod handles until the battle was on.
I am back to 3m super 33 black electrical tape.
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I have not spotted any cork denting on my jig rods from the Cold Snap reel wraps, they keep the reel from moving at all, even fighting big Lake trout, nothing against anyone who uses tape, but I can't stand the idea of covering a Custom Made cork handle with any kind of tape, I'll stick with the Cold Snap Reel Wraps !! :thumbsup:
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I'll have to give the cold snaps a try, I agree with you not wanting to cover up the customs.
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if it is just a cork handle what are you covering up with a couple wraps of electrical tape ,if has a reel seat it doesn't need anything just a question all my reels are cork , even Jason Mitchell uses tape, was on line looking at stuff and noticed that right off , but to each their own, and or what makes you comfy
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if it is just a cork handle what are you covering up with a couple wraps of electrical tape ,if has a reel seat it doesn't need anything just a question all my reels are cork , even Jason Mitchell uses tape, was on line looking at stuff and noticed that right off , but to each their own, and or what makes you comfy
Man, how much did them cork reels cost ya filet? Were they special order, limited edition or something? Can ya post a photo of 'em, I can't say as I've ever seen a cork reel before. ;D ;D ;D Sorry, I just couldn't resist, eh.
As to the thread topic, plain old electrical tape here. Reasonably priced, readily available, works great and there's probably a dozen rolls floating around here between the tool boxes, gadget drawers, glove boxes, etc.
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I have not spotted any cork denting on my jig rods from the Cold Snap reel wraps, they keep the reel from moving at all, even fighting big Lake trout, nothing against anyone who uses tape, but I can't stand the idea of covering a Custom Made cork handle with any kind of tape, I'll stick with the Cold Snap Reel Wraps !! :thumbsup:
Agree 100%. Cold Snaps are perfect for the custom rods.
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I'll stick with my O-rings, they aren't near as bulky as the CSRwraps and are a heck of alot cheaper,the reel wraps would be alot cheaper if a person went to a vet supply place and just bought castration bands, 100 of them for maybe a couple bucks.
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Cold Snap Reel Wraps (http://www.coldsnapcover.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=118/category_id=59/home_id=59/mode=prod/prd118.htm) AINEC!
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After reading the tips here, I went to our local Farm & Fleet store and bought a package of 100 rubber castration bands for a couple bucks. Those suckers are tough to flex, so I altered a plastic funnel I had laying around so that the butt of the rod barely slid inside the narrow end of the funnel. Just popped the band onto the narrow funnel end and then reversed direction so that the band could jump onto the butt of the rod. Four of those on the reel tabs anchored them very tightly to the butt.
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That's fine, but I would rather spend another dollar or two and support a company that is involved with ice fishing, not "oysters" After all, he is the guy that came up with the idea for using them this way. And I'm sure it won't be long and most of the rods we buy will come with these already on them. I spoke with the owner of Cold Snap last year at a local ice show, and he said that they are going to have several different colors for this next ice season. Our sport is starting to get consumed by big buisiness (thanks Rapapla) and I think it is important to support the small guys. After all, they are the ones with all the good ideas.
I'll get off my soap box now. lol
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That's fine, but I would rather spend another dollar or two and support a company that is involved with ice fishing, not "oysters" After all, he is the guy that came up with the idea for using them this way. And I'm sure it won't be long and most of the rods we buy will come with these already on them. I spoke with the owner of Cold Snap last year at a local ice show, and he said that they are going to have several different colors for this next ice season. Our sport is starting to get consumed by big buisiness (thanks Rapapla) and I think it is important to support the small guys. After all, they are the ones with all the good ideas.
I'll get off my soap box now. lol
Agreed. Basically the previous poster mirrored Cold Snaps product Reel Wraps, which is fine. No more than what CS's product cost, I picked up some extra pkg's and gave them to my brother-in-law. The extra couple of bucks wasn't worth a trip to Co-op to copy their idea, and I'd rather support folks, and a company which attends Ice Fishing Shows, supports ice fishing contests and are all around good guys. Plus I bought a Cold Snap Auger Cover! Try getting that at Co-op!