Baitcaster style reels

[Hammy]

Who uses these for panfish/walleye fishing? whats the upside? is it purely pesonal preference? thanks in advance.

[jwmiller33]

i have heard of guys using baitcaster style or even fly fishing reels for ice fishing with the intention of eliminating line twist. i'm sure we all know how big of a pain in the neck line twist can be for ice fishing spinning reels

[timjones]

I use one on one of my walleye rods. I push the thumb bar down to release the spool and then I adjust the spool tension so that the bait I am using can't quit move the spool. Then I will set that rod down or in a rod holder while I jig with another rod. That way when a fish begins to take the bait I can see the spool start to turn.

[mozy]

I use a fly fishing reel to avoid line twist. I've noticed while sight fishing that a lure spinning is a detractor to a lot of fish.

[trapperdirk]

I use the baitcaster style on my big game fish long rods .No line twists and you have good cranking power with speed especially when a laker or pike decides to run the hole .I've just never found a good baitcaster style that is light and small enough for my ultralight rigs and line .Also the majority of the rods sold for ultralight fishing are made for a spinning reel in mind .

TD

[Little John]

I have been using and building my own baitcast style ice rods for many years, primarily to eliminate line twist. I started out with standard baitcast guide placement, but was limited to stiff action rods to avoid line cross over on the blank. I eventually figured out that spiral wrapping the guides eliminated that problem and allowed me use/build with much lighter panfish blanks (2-4# class). Reels still remained a problem, because the inexpensive little crappie style level winds didn't have drags when the anti reverse was engaged. So I fished with my thumb on the spool to set the hook and back reeled to land big fish...

I later played around with vintage bait cast reels, like Lews and Ryobi, but they were pricey, and cold on the hands and some would not work in the cold even after I made mods to the guts (that's a whole new story). Up until recently, if you wanted a decent bait cast reel that weighed 7 oz or less you'd have to pay $150 or more. But there are now decent reels available for 1/2 that amount with all synthetic frames that are not affected by the cold. There are also high quality solid carbon rods to match. You just have to do a but of searching to find them.

I still use spinning gear when I'm scouting and just trying to pull fish to see them on the flasher. But when I get serious and want to know for sure that jig isn't turning fish off, I go with the bait caster combo.

[quijibo]

John, What make/models of reels did you end up with? I like the size of the Abu 1500 and 2500, but they are pricey and metal.

Adam

[Little John]

Adam, I know the rules on this site regarding advertising/spam etc are restrictive. So I don't think I can post any spec ific info for you. The reels themselves are priced in a mid to high level spinning reel range and the model # is BC-I. If you just search for the spiral wrapped ice rods you'll find them.

Hope that helps.

[mainbutter]

I'm surprised it's taken so long for baitcasters to come to the attention of ice-fishermen. Nothing is more purpose-designed for vertical fishing than a baitcaster.

[Little John]

I think it's probably that lots of guys want to just open the bail and have the jig or spoon drop...but you still end up having to "pump" the rod or pull line out much of the time. The beauty of the bait caster in ice fishing is that you can pull the line out in a very controlled fashion and drop the bait in a controlled fashion too. If the bait pauses on the way down, your thumb is right therr on the spool to set the hook...It is absolutely the most efficient way to fish.

Like I said, I do still use a spinning set up. But it is for more specific applications like with heavy search spoons or even shallow applications where reeling isn't required most of the time.

One limitation is that this is really an application for rods 24" and longer. Short rods are better off as spinning rigs. In my opinion anyway.