Ice Reels - Spinning

[eve21]

I need to replace a few of my spinning reels and was just curious of everyone's thoughts on the subject. Jig fishing mostly for walleye and often getting into 7+ pounders so need something that is smooth, with instant anti-revers and a smooth drag.

[OnAFly]

How much do you want to spend?

[eve21]

Up to 50$. Looking to match up with my best rods, so want them to be my go to units.

[Craigums]

Ive been using the Tica, however I seen a Pflueger President for $50 at the store that I think would be awesome. The shimano Sienna seems like a nice alternative also at $30

[Esox_Magnum]

I use GArcia 100 and 300U's, Mitchel Advocets 500's and Shimano Sedona 500's, the Cardinals are the best I have. However I would love a few Tikas, I think when the time comes my reels for ice anyway will be all Tikas. Open water Shimano all the way.

[toughguy]

Tica all day long

[CJH]

Pflueger. Smooth in every way, and very dependable.

[eve21]

Never heard of the Tica's before will will take a look at them for sure. Do you guys happen to have which Tica series you are using for ice fishing so as to get the smaller ones that match up with the ice rods? Also, are you just using them for ice fishing or year-round?

[HaRdWaTeR jUnKy]

abu cardinals, think im up to 6-7 of them without haveing any problems!

[deadeye]

Pfluegers are what I have started using. I have a little trion that I love for ice fishing. The president is even better.

I have one of those little cardinals and it works decent too.

I used to use Fin-Nor Ahabs when you could still get them at Gander/Cabelas but they quit doing that. I still use them (and they work great still) but they are going on 10+ years old now and its only a matter of time before they die.

[thedeadsea]

Cabelas has several different makes/models on sale currently in the bargain cave worth taking a look at.

I bought one of the charcoal and red Quantum reels for $16.99 this summer and was very impressed. Jigged up several 5-10# lakers with it and the drag worked great and the fit and finish was excellent for that price.

Cabelas brand reels have worked well for me also.

Steve

[NCLaker]

All those mentioned are great options (Pflueger, Abu, Tica). Also check out the Shimano 500 reels that came out last year.

[Rope]

eve21 I think most of the Tica's are LF500 or SS500.Bout as good as it get's IMHO.Both are under $50.00.

[RebelSS]

Pflueger 6720 President.

[Fred_Bear]

I stay away from abu cardinals now. 5 years ago that was all I would buy but of 4 I had 2 are broken/hashed and in the garbage and the other 2 have all the paint chipping and flaking off them and look like antiques after just a few years. 3 of them were used for open water and 1 was a little ice fishing reel. I think what did the ice fishing reel in was a 20+ minute battle with a 40" ski that grabbed my crappie; it was never the same after that. My father has been using a cardinal ice reel for the last 3 years and its still working but the drag is in no way smooth.

My vote goes to Pfleuger. I've had a Trion (bottom of the line Pfleuer) for 3 years that I've used for open water panfish, bass, walleye, pike and ice fishing lakers and walleye that is still going strong. The drag is smooth even in temps down to 20 below and it still looks great minus all the fish slime on it. From now on I'm buying Pfleuers!

[Fred_Bear]

Right now I use a $10 Gander Mountain ice reel that is junk. Thought it was going to be a great deal for just using on pannies but it's a p.o.s.

[Dan Brelje]

I second the Shimano 500's...any of them. Was at TB on black friday and checked out most of them in the store. Each of them seemed really nice. I walked out with a Tica just to see what the hype is all about. I have had success with shimana before and have a sedona for ice'n that works great.