In-line "spooler" reels

[Allen1203]

I'm looking for new shallow water (20ft or less) reels. Wondering if anyone has opinions/interesting facts on any of these:

Clam Dave Genz Spooler


13 Fishing Black Betty


Frabill Straight Line 101XLA

[3300]

the middle one is one that has a tall leg, so if you had to use such a reel w/o a clutch, then that would be it because it has the line guide too

[Allen1203]

the middle one is one that has a tall leg, so if you had to use such a reel w/o a clutch, then that would be it because it has the line guide too

From my understanding these are all like fly reels, they all have drag and you just pull out line or back off the drag and let gravity do the work, is that a correct understanding?

[3300]

From my understanding these are all like fly reels, they all have drag and you just pull out line or back off the drag and let gravity do the work, is that a correct understanding?

incorrect. these are ice fishing reels with no drag system at all
i would never use them. i like having a drag/clutch system
if you get a fish thats pulling line, you have to let go of the handle and try something else like thumb the spool or wait it out and try to find the handle and make another go at it. they are not my kind of fishing gear at all, but you asked which one of these to pick from for you

the big knob you see in the center of the spool is the tension knob, jut like fly reels have, but no drag/clutch system. some people like to back reel their fish and also want a drag, but these only offer back reeling and a tension knob

[captain54]

I'm not and expert on this type reel but did get one from my wife for Christmas. Got the new Tony Roach,has a free spool button,star drag and two over sized reel handles. The big reason these reels are becoming popular is no light twist.On a spinning reel you will have a lot of line twist,and a spinning jig gets NO FISH. I sight fish a lot and gills and crappie will not hit a whirlybirding jig.

[Allen1203]

.On a spinning reel you will have a lot of line twist,and a spinning jig gets NO FISH. I sight fish a lot and gills and crappie will not hit a whirlybirding jig.

That is the main appeal for me. That, and I am a fly fisherman and I am used to fighting on a fly reel.

[Dead2fall]

I use an old pflueger 1893 multiplier reel works great for me!

[Dark Cloud]

All three pictured have drag systems. I have used the Clam a few times and the Betty since they came out. I like em both! Similar but a tad different.
The clam works like most fly reels - adjustable drag while line going out and free spool(loose) while reeling in.
The Betty pictured has an adjustable drag but it effects line in and line out. Because of that I tend to set the drag kinda light and use my palm right below my thumb for additional drag.
The Betty picks up line a tad quicker(larger diameter spool)...

[Allen1203]

All three pictured have drag systems. I have used the Clam a few times and the Betty since they came out. I like em both! Similar but a tad different.
The clam works like most fly reels - adjustable drag while line going out and free spool(loose) while reeling in.
The Betty pictured has an adjustable drag but it effects line in and line out. Because of that I tend to set the drag kinda light and use my palm right below my thumb for additional drag.
The Betty picks up line a tad quicker(larger diameter spool)...

Thank you!

[Allen1203]

Picked up the Clam Genz today to play with and see if it what I am looking for, if not I might try the 13fishing Black Betty 6061

[Dark Cloud]

Your welcom...
The 6061 is a diff animal - free spool, better drag, retrieve ratio...

[BigDynamite]

I used 2 Clam Spoolers and the Black Betty last year and doubled up on the same this year.  I have to tell you that the Spoolers are my favorites.  The Betty is nice but there are three things I dislike.  1st when tension is off the line on the Betty there is a tendency for the line to come off the spool and get twisted around the shaft.  This requires the tension/drag knob to be taken off and line extracted (normally with grease on it).  2nd is the fact that with the Betty the tension is on the spool in both directions, so you reel against it on the way in/up.  3rd, due to the way the Betty is built, if your hand touches the spool then it creates resistance that could cause the line to break with a fish on (this does not happen with the spooler typically).  I won't buy any more Betty's although would like to try the 6061 for deeper water applications, but here too it has to compete with the Eagle Claw.  For the money you really cannot beat the Clam reels for shallow water.  I will say that I have not used any of these in extreme cold and neither has free spool so that means pulling the line off or back reeling if possible.

Tight Lines and Hard Water

[Capt Phil]

Don't forget about the Frabill 261. Higher 2.6:1 gear ratio for faster retrieve. Also has free spool w/ clutch and star drag. The tension adjustment knob (similar to a cast control knob for baitcasters) allows you to control the fall of your jig. I am loving mine so far.

[jumbo chaser]

How good are the frabil 261??

[Joe Wayne]

If you're looking for a imo "The Best" inline, here is what I use.
Black Betty 6061