Familyfisherman Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I've used multiple ice fishing reels over the last couple of years. Most came with a combo, and were fairly low end. This year I special ordered an HT reel -- it had 7 bearings and was the best I could find in their magazine, but last week I took it out to try and twice the line was caught in the roller Not exactly what I was hoping for...I'll be returning it. Any thoughts on a mid-range reel for WF and trout -- I usually use 8lb braid, fish are mostly 3-6lbs, largest last year was 21 but that's rare. In the $30-$50 range would work. Thanks for any opinions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Shimano sienna. Good quality reel, not expensive.I have one that i use occasionally ,now that i have gone baitcaster.Never used it through the ice, but great on open water in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 more bearings doesn't = better I bought a 1000 sized sedona and i'm loving it so far. It's around 60ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 I use the same reels on my ice rigs as I do all softwater season. Some baitcasters, some spinning. Don't cheap out on reels for icefishing, they are the most important part of your whole set up out there, and the most likely to fail in the elements!! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckster Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 I have to agree with sinker. Most importat part of your set up by far... I use mainly shimano stradic, sahara, etc in the 750 size... Perfect size for icefishing. Not to bulky and it holds more then enough line for deep water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 I have to agree with sinker. Most importat part of your set up by far... I use mainly shimano stradic, sahara, etc in the 750 size... Perfect size for icefishing. Not to bulky and it holds more then enough line for deep water Some of the lakers and even whities in Simcoe go on long long runs, a 750 loaded with braid would be pushing it.. I'd definitely step up to a minimum of a 1000 or 1500. Line also make s a big difference, braid tends to hold a lot more water then mono does and will ice up the bail roller in no time, no matter what reel you are using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofthesteelhead Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Bought a combo outfit at Canadian Tire for half price 2 years ago for around 29 dollars with an accucast reel model ACR104A and that has been the best icefishing reel I have ever had.What I do not like about MOST reels in the winter is when it gets cold the bail will not flip over which is very annoying. This reel has never done this!They have some combos this year again at Canadian Tire just waiting for them to come on sale again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ah_long Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 using a Daiwa Cross fire 3ib... around $22 in LeBaron.. the smallest size comes with an aluminum spool as well... so far it's working great this winter.. for that price, you can't go wrong.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Abu Garcia 101i. It costs 30 some dollars at BPS or other venues. Good for ice and soft water imo. Holds 4-8lbs test. I used it in -20 the other night (catching ling) and it didn't tighten up at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familyfisherman Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Good advice folks. I use ice braid, which "claims" to hold less moisture. I also find at depths its sensitive enough to feel the very light bites of wf on bottom. Gotta stick with that. Thanks again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 HT acucast is by far the best ice real I have used... $30 It is even angled specifically for ice rods... Due to the close proximity of the real and the first eye... Those are my two cents... I really hope you go with my advice... I own 5 myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyejack Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Best reel I found was on the end of my arms,price is right,dosen t freeze up,can be used year round,and low maintenance,stick can't be beat,stick beats a rod out anytime. mtcw Edited January 18, 2011 by walleyejack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwpowell Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 I've got a Sienna 500 as well. I bought 1 in the summer for my ultra light, and then purchased another one for ice fishing, love this reel, really smooth, no problems and reasonably priced at 35-40 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrb2007 Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Don't skimp with your ice fishing reels. I use Shimano Saharas for my ice rods. I tried the HT accu-cast and did not like the drag at all. Although I do use them on first ice for perch. When fighting scrappy lakers you really need a smooth drag. Edited January 18, 2011 by ckrb2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cudz Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 BPS has their Micro lite elite spinning reels on for $29.99 this week. Do not miss this. great little reel from what i have experienced. jusy my $0.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Some of the lakers and even whities in Simcoe go on long long runs, a 750 loaded with braid would be pushing it.. I'd definitely step up to a minimum of a 1000 or 1500. I've caught a few whities and lakers out of simcoe, and even a few from other lakes, and never been close to getting spooled with a 750 series reel. If a fish peels 100ft, I'd be impressed!! A 750 size reel will hold 100 YARDS of line, 300ft. More than enough! Braided line is the cats meow for any water over 15ft deep. If your roller freezes, so be it, your drag will still work fine. There are more lakes in ontario than simcoe!!! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Be a man !!! Hand line it all the way ... nothing more exciting than the feel of a big fish on a hand line ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ah_long Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Be a man !!! Hand line it all the way ... nothing more exciting than the feel of a big fish on a hand line ... can't do it on a 4lb braid.. it'll cut my hand off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Be a man !!! Hand line it all the way ... nothing more exciting than the feel of a big fish on a hand line ... Yea like your hands can feel anything at those temperatures.....brrrrr wheres my Spring at. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) I've been using a Symetre for the last few years with no complaints. I got it one sale for around $80.. Maybe a little high for your price range, but I use it in the summer on my walleye rod too. Well worth the money. I just got an HT reel for my second whitie / laker rod this winter. I've yet to catch anything big on it, so no comments there. The drag seems to suck on it though, so we'll see. It was a christmass present, so I aint complaining! Good luck Kev.. Edited January 18, 2011 by NAW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castgame Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 i've had stradic 1000s since i was a kid. never let me down. perfect for stream fishing, steelheading, hardwater... very versatile size. a reel's the sort of thing you buy once a decade. spend the cash, get the good one, maintain it well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Symetre for $80? Wish I could find them for that.... I have been using Abu Garcia 101's and 301's for the past couple of seasons and have no complaints. I don't fish in a hut and only get out about 8-10 times a season. I just picked up a Daiwa Regal Xia to try this year (the Abu Garcia's the store had in stock were "acting funny"). You should look into the Tica Cetus reels. Although, I can't say I have ever owned one, people rave about them for ice fishing all the time. The Pflueger Trion and the Shimano Sienna also seem popular. Personally I didn't like the feel of the Sienna, so I went with the Daiwa. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 1000 is about perfect size... i find the guides on ice rods are often not large enough to accomodate a larger reel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bare foot wader Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 i started out ice fishing thinking an UL reel would balance best and it did work just fine...but didn't take long to realize a larger reel/larger spool equals faster line pickup and less memory, plus is more useful year round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 a 750 isn't "too little" if you never catch anything big Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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