reel that does not cause line twist

[Mr. Sheephead]

Why am I using a micro spin casting reel for ice fishing. Why has not some genius developed a micro reel for ice fishing that is more like a narrow bait caster spool retrieve. We can put a man on the moon but can not come up with an ice fishing reel that stops line twist. I have seen the generic mini bait caster ice reel that is low tech and not very well done. Does anyone know of this perfect reel I am dreaming of. It just seems like we are in the dark ages for ice fishing reels. Why are we using these reels that are made for casting. Do we need a true ice fishing reel or is this a pipe dream? Help!!!

tired of line twist

[LakeDocktor]

There are a lot of people including myself who are using fly reels on ice rods. You could also use a small swivel to prevent line twist. I don't know where you have been looking, but there are a ton on different smaller bait cast reels on the market specifically designed for ice fishing. HT Enterprises makes a few of them. They have been around for a few years that I have noticed. Google ice fishing bait casters and your "pipe dream" will become the reality a lot are living in.

[Sherpa]

In the crappie forum there is a thread about using fly reels. I have been considering getting one of these to use for panfish. Okuma makes some affordable reels. You may want to try one of these. I may try it soon as well.

[Mr. Sheephead]

I have seen the bulky, heavy, not very well done HT bait caster style ice reel. I am waiting for something more stream lined to come out on the market. Some reel company needs to step up to the plate and get it done. My guess is that if people need to use fly reels and the old schooley reels to stop line twist, then there is a huge market for a well done, line twist eliminating reel to be developed.

[PlagueWielder]

+1! Shimano, get it done!

[Steve Foss]

I've never bought an ice reel in my life. I just use my open water baitcasters and spinning reels on my ice rods.

If you swap the October reels over onto December rods, the line is already just fine, isn't it? If you are respooling reels for winter rods, baitcasters have no issues. Spinning reel issues can usually be handled by noticing which raw spool orientation produces the most line twist when spooling up. Lay the spool on the floor face up and crank a dozen times. Then flip over the spool on the floor and crank a dozen more times. Which one produces the least twist? Well, use that one. If they both produce approximately equal line twist, alternate by making a couple dozen cranks on the reel, flipping the spool over, couple dozen more cranks, flip the spool over again . . . you get the idea.

It won't be perfect, but if you take your time (making sure to reel the raw line in under tension) and be careful how you let line out the first few times down the hole, dang if it won't be perfect enough.

[Big A]

+ 1 !

[stumper]

Until you find your perfect reel there are things you can do to help aleviate the issues.

Use a QUALITY reel, dont use a cheap junk reel.

Lube the "bushing" on the bale that the line rides on.

Flip the bale by hand,not by cranking the handle. this helps ALOT.

Do not reel while a fish is taking drag.

Use a swivel.

If your fishing Gills,your destine to line twist at some point if your catching fish. A swivel is the only help here...

I follow this pretty close and have little to no issues at all.

[bobbymalone]

Flip the bale by hand,not by cranking the handle. this helps ALOT.

[slipperybob]

$370 will get the job done with a Shimano Core 50Mg. $200 will get the job done almost as good with a Shimano Curado 50E. Then again, catch 12"+ crappies like 8" crappies on spinning reels is kind of pointless with these finesse baitcasting reels.

[pulsar_nx]

Unless your fishing deep water, use a jiggle stick and say goodbye to line twist.

I've done the baitcaster thing and unless you have some weight to pull the coils straight there will still be some twist and I imagine fly reels should be the same.

[Rivernut]

If you are fishing deeper water, the fly reel is a sweet option. No twist, plus a really smooth drag makes for a nice experience. I started using them last year and love them. My 2cents.

[i'majigger]

Steve Foss and Stumper pretty much nailed it. If you follow these suggestions you will have very little line twist, I started using these methods and have very little trouble now. I don't think spending a lot of money on a reel without following these methods would help you much.

[castmaster]

IMO the line twist comes as much from the tighter "coils" coming off the smaller spool size on a ice size spinning reel. With a baitcaster or fly reel, those coils are coming off parallel to the direction the line is going through the guides. With a spinning reel those coils are perpendicular to the way line is feeding out through the guides, leaving more "twist". Little a guy can do to counter that, other than go to baitcasters or fly reels.

[quijibo]

I have been looking for a smaller baitcaster exclusively for ice fishing too since I don't really softwater fish anymore. The best I've been able to come up with are used Abu Garcia 1500 , smaller would be better. Less expensive would be best, new ones are in the hundreds$$$. I mostly ice fish for Rainbow, Brown and Lake Trout. I also fish for Walleye and Pike about once a year. Baitcasters seem like they would be ideal.

Adam

[DTro]

I think we might be confusing line twist and line memory. The more memory your line has the tighter the cast will be when coming off your spool.

A fly reel will help that because of the bigger arbor size.

But as far as actual line twist, take notice of your jig, there is a very good chance that because of the design or the knot location that it is spinning every time you jig it. You could have a $600 reel and you are still going to have line twist if that is happening.

Also, never reel against the drag, either tighten it up, or wait for the fish to quit pulling, then reel. I see this all the time, and it reaks havoc on your line.

[Dark Cloud]

The fly reel certainly does help, plus it is just plain fun to use.

DTRO hit another point with the jig causing twist issues. I build/paint alot of my own jigs and tank test em all with various plastics. If knot placement is off or plastics are rigged crooked, baits will spin while being jigged and un-spin when you stop jigging. Plus they will spinn like crazy while reeling up.

Bigger issues arise from putting line on wrong and the biggest issue maker if from reeling while the drag is going out...

Search fly reels and/or okuma on this site and you'll get a bunch of info...