Level-Wind ice rod/reel setup?

[dirtyd]

Hey all,

A buddy and I are contemplating getting some level-wind setups this winter for deep water jigging. Main fish species to target are walleye, eel pout, lakers, and northerns. I had a lot of trouble searching for level-wind ice reels, and found I might have to go with a lower profile bait caster (not cheap...). As we are very new to this setup, what would you all suggest in terms of reels?

Thanks in advance!

[looneyducer]

You're right about the low level baitcasting reel, and that they aren't cheap, but inside of those available, you don't want anything on the cheap end either. They need to be pretty smooth and awfully well built if there is any hope of them working and lasting in the cold.

I run one with a left handed reel, and if I purchased another I would insist on that again. I usually use spinning reels, and, well, that's the hand I reel with. It's on a 36 inch, Medium Heavy Rod with 10 Lb XL on it. I use it for 3/8 + lures, though it will fish down to 1/4.

I had a cheaper reel with a flippin' switch on it before this one, and although the reel gave up early (couldn't handle the cold -- plastic knobs on crossbolts cracked, and the drag never did work right once it got below 0) I do wish my current reel had that feature. It made controlling the bait on the way down instantaneous, and made the transition from dropping to jigging a one-handed operation.

Hope that helps. I'm re-lining my ancient Shimano right now. What a way to fish.

[castmaster]

I have a Shimano Calcutta ct-50 on a Thorne Bros 36" ProGlass Rod. Nice rod/reel for jigging bigger spoons and stuff for eyes, pike and lakers.

[40creekonice]

I now go with the ABU C3 4600 series for this set up. They are a tough little reel with a metal line guide vs plastic on a lot of low profile baitcasters. I've found that the low profile baitcasters freeze up too easy and the line guide can become stripped or damaged when fishing outside. The ABU runs at around $70-$80, so its also easy on the pocket book. Works great for lakers and pike and you can cover the water column quick with minimal line twist.

[Scott M]

I've purchased a few saltwater reels online for catfishing and have been extremely happy with the results. Auction sites. Read carefully, make sure they are operational. I bought working, clean reels without any salt corrosion problems and I got them all for around 20-30 bucks. I bought 3 Penns, a 210, a 200, and a No. 9. The No. 9 might be just the ticket for you, level wind with not a ridiculously large side to side profile. Good luck!

[slipperybob]

I've been using low profiles baitcasting reels from panfish to pikes and it simply just makes fish fighting way too easy. I sure do appreciate them when I get the big ones on the other end of the line. I've got one TB Panfish and two TB Walleye sweetheart rods set up as baitcasters.