Junk Ice Reels

[Northlander]

The reels on the Gary Roach rods have been good for me. Even hold up to laker fishing. They dont look like much but have been the best combo reels I have seen.

I usually never use store bought combos because the reels are always junk. I got these as a gift and was very surprised how they performed.

The rods are also very very good for the $.

[dougger222]

I only buy rods and reals seperate. Still run two of the original Genz rods from 6-7 years ago. They are back up rods though. Got them in the bargain cave in Cabales end of Winter half off. Have had to put a couple reels on them go.

In most cases I try to buy rods and reels that range from $30-50 each. Some last two seasons some last longer.

Have not been really happy though with the quality of the $50 Legends (tip has come loose and is now taped on) and the $50 Tica (screw and bail fell off).

[opsirc]

over the years I have bought, HT, Gander, Shakespear and other combos. Some were good, others bad, like most things you get get a lemon every once in a while. The past couple of years tho, I bought St Croix rods and then purchased the reels seperatly and been happy. I usally watch for end of year sales and get the reels for a good price.

[Duffman]

Good for you. Nice to have $$$$$ and get what you want. Say, can I hit you up for a ten, pay you back later...Not trying to dis you, but some people may have a limit to their spending and can't just replace things at will. Sorry these were for his kids.

I didn't mean to come across as a jerkbait, I was just implying that when I've bought really cheap reels, a lot of the time their performance has matched the price. So I tend to stay away from the cheap ones. I think spending $100 bucks or more on an icefishing combo is a little nuts, but there's plenty of guys out there have dozens of these rigs.

Some of the cheap reels that I've bought in the past still work pretty good these days, but it seems like it's a roll of the dice. I bought two identical reels, one lasted three outings, the other one still works fine after 5 years.

I can also understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on kids rigs, due to breakage or "oops, down the hole". But just don't expect $100 performance from something that costs 1/10th that much.

[opsirc]

as far as not spending alot on kids, the ugly sticks are hard to beat! they are hard to damage and hold up well, they are also not that spendy.

[Chnginthhofl]

Every spring i like to pick up a couple cheap combos, because there cheap and when they break they turn into parts reels( I'm kind of a tinkerer) Also my Dad always seems to break his rods when he goes fishing, so its good that i have extras. I've also noticed that HT reels are good "ice house" reels, I'd spend the little extra money on a reel for run n gunning.

[NCLaker]

Just looked on Cabelas and they have the XML ice rod with Fish eagle reel for the same price as the reel alone!

I have 3 of these combos for 2 seasons not. Very happy with the quality of mine. They are Pflueger reels.

[Shack]

The reels on the Gary Roach rods have been good for me. Even hold up to laker fishing. They dont look like much but have been the best combo reels I have seen.

I usually never use store bought combos because the reels are always junk. I got these as a gift and was very surprised how they performed.

The rods are also very very good for the $.

I was able to see one of Gary Roach's walleye rod combo's and I was very impressed with this combo. Very nice!

Also the Frabill Bro series are a very good option like Borch said.

[Supercrew]

I didn't mean to come across as a jerkbait, I was just implying that when I've bought really cheap reels, a lot of the time their performance has matched the price. So I tend to stay away from the cheap ones. I think spending $100 bucks or more on an icefishing combo is a little nuts, but there's plenty of guys out there have dozens of these rigs.

Some of the cheap reels that I've bought in the past still work pretty good these days, but it seems like it's a roll of the dice. I bought two identical reels, one lasted three outings, the other one still works fine after 5 years.

I can also understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on kids rigs, due to breakage or "oops, down the hole". But just don't expect $100 performance from something that costs 1/10th that much.

[rodmoen]

Actually, I picked up a Guide Series from Gander a couple weeks back on clearance and I love it. 6 bearing Guide Series reel with a medium action Guide Series rod $19 on clearance and I'd put it against most anything out there for under $50. Got into everything from 5-6 lb channel cats to smaller panfish and I have no complaints. Planning on grabbing 1 or 2 more if they still have any left that is.

[thedeadsea]

Originally Posted By: thedeadsea

Just looked on Cabelas and they have the XML ice rod with Fish eagle reel for the same price as the reel alone!

I have 3 of these combos for 2 seasons not. Very happy with the quality of mine. They are Pflueger reels.

Are you talking about the rod or the reel? I love FE reel and use it as my go to reel for both summer and winter. Normally $29, got mine last spring for $19 on sale.

Steve

[LipRipper!!]

I have six ice fishing spinning reels that rang from fish eagle, gander, pflueger, quantum and shimmano. They are all priced around $30 bucks except my quantum that I use on my open water ultra lite that one was a $140.00 bucks. Out of all these reels I like the Shimano sienna 500FD. This reel is very smooth and works great, I will be buying these from now on for icefishing. This is my opinion, anyone else have and like the Shimano?

Ripper!!

[Chode2235]

Love the shimano 500 sized ice reels too.

[matthothand]

The Bro combos are junk. The rod is fine except for the crooked guides. The reel as others have mentioned went straight into the trash. The line kept going beyond the spool and onto the drag tension thing on top. Next time I see Brian I'm gonna give him an ear full. Cetus are good ice reels.

[bikeoutback]

Actually, I picked up a Guide Series from Gander a couple weeks back on clearance and I love it. 6 bearing Guide Series reel with a medium action Guide Series rod $19 on clearance and I'd put it against most anything out there for under $50. Got into everything from 5-6 lb channel cats to smaller panfish and I have no complaints. Planning on grabbing 1 or 2 more if they still have any left that is.

I ran in there cause I broke the tip on my frabill panfish popper. I had the 6 bearing guide series I bought last year and liked it and use Guide Series rods for summer fishing with quantum reels. Figured see if they had any left on clearance, they had 2 ice fishing poles left one of the one's you bought but the tip was messed up on it and a Guide Series tournament. The tournament is a 10 bearing reel with a light action 28" rod, normally $50 on sale for $30. I liked it so I picked it up as I am simply replacing a panfish pole. It's longer than I was looking for but I liked the action and the reel. Was about $5 more than I was looking to spend so I'll have one less beer tonight after bowling and call it good. I think I'll be happy with it.

Just a note, I buy all my summer rods right before Xmas at Gander, they have awesome deals on them them when they try and clearance out last years models. I've got $120 worth of rods for $40. I'm cheap when it comes to poles cause I tend to break them after a couple years so I go for replacement value but I really do like the Guide Series poles, never had a problem except figuring out how to haul around a 7 foot 1 piece without a boat

[thedeadsea]

Just a note, I buy all my summer rods right before Xmas at Gander, they have awesome deals on them them when they try and clearance out last years models. I've got $120 worth of rods for $40. I'm cheap when it comes to poles cause I tend to break them after a couple years so I go for replacement value but I really do like the Guide Series poles, never had a problem except figuring out how to haul around a 7 foot 1 piece without a boat

There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting a quality piece of hunting or fishing equipment for next to nothing.

I found nice tip-ups for $3 each last spring. Bought the last 10 they had.