Straight line setups...

[mnfathead]

Hey guys, I've got a few christmas gc's to burn up and was wondering if anyone has tried the new straight line setups for jigging, if so are they worth it??? I may be way off base here but couldn't you get the same affect using a baitcaster instead of a spinning reel? Any input would be great, thanks.

[OnAFly]

The thing about the fly reels is they are light. So if you're using light jigs, you'll notice the difference. If you're using 1/4oz jigs, it's not that big a deal.

They do almost eliminate any jig spin. Sometimes it makes a big difference.

[Alagnak]

Line wrapped around two wood pegs does close to the same thing as does lots of cheapy reels that have been out for years (in terms of eliminating line twist) and work great in shallow water conditions where a guy doesn't need to reel. There are cheap 'bait casting' type set ups that do the EXACT same thing. The fly reel deal is just the gimmick of the year. 'Most' new gear is to sell to fisherman, not to catch fish. Decent fly reels are machined out of aluminum and balanced so when a large fish takes a long screaming run off the reel the reel doesn't wobble out of your hand and stays smooth. The process to make them is expensive and obviously why most fly reels are very expensive. There are some cheap ones yes, and 'cheap' relative to high end is still 50-100 bucks. Just like fly fishing the MAIN PURPOSE of the reel is simply to hold the line and keep it organized while you fish. You certainly don't need a reel to land a fish fly fishing, ice fishing a little more since you're using light line. Most smaller fish fly fishing applications don't require a drag where saltwater fish and large game fish you would want one and pay a premium for a decent drag. Like small fish fly reels in open water fly fishing a drag isn't needed much for ice fishing shallow water panfish either. It's there just to hold the line while you fish. So I just don't see the point of a fly reel on an ice fishing set up except for companies to create a 'need' on top of the rods and reels they already sold you. They realize many of us have most of the rods and reels we need for a while, so they have to spawn a creative way to still get in your pocket. Which is great for them! That's what marketing, advertising, and guides pushing products is all about.

PS- and other cheap plastic 1:1 ratio reels on the market are also light.

[OnAFly]

I'll agree to that to a point. I do think there are situations where a fly reel is very nice. These are shallow water, light line, light jigs and off fish. Fly reels excel in this situation.

I don't understand why anyone would use one for fishing in 40FOW with a lighter jig. It's a bigger pain to deal with pulling line off the reel than it's worth. Here, I would just use a spinning reel.

The two peg set up might work fine for shallow water, but over 15FOW, I would imagine you would be fighting tangles after each fish. Just my opinion on the subject.

[Kodiak]

guess i am a sucker then lol

[Alagnak]

Well I was being a bit sarcastic on the two wooden peg comment but seriously, tell me how a $3.17 plastic reel like this http://www.anglersmart.com/product_info.php?products_id=78 that is on a million shallow water ice rods and has been for years, is any different than a fly reel in terms of line twist and how the line lays on the rod OR weight. I've got a lot of fly reels, but they'll stay on my fly rods. I'd rather have $3.17 go down the hole than the alternative in question. Some guys buy sweat pants for $5 and some buy the same sweat pants with a Nike 'swoosh' for $45. :-)

We're not talking about deep water as we all know you need to reel then and spinning reels excel. We're talking shallow. So 15' or less you say? In that case, I would argue a simple cheapy would excel even more. The simple fact of the arbor size. The larger arbor the more line is brought in with one revolution of the 1:1 ration spool. Small fly reels have very small arbors. You can of course make them larger by putting on other line or braided line for a 'backing' prior to the mono which would be totally pointless too. Backing is so a fish has line to run with on a big run. Obviously with a 1:1 reel of any kind you're Effed during a big run because with 1:1 (even with a large arbor) you're not going to be able to reel fast enough to make up the line lost on a run if the fish turns back at you and you will be going hand over hand anyway. And no I'm not selling cheap plastic reels. Just making a casual common sense observation on the fly reel phenomenon lol.

[Stick in Mud]

I've got one and I'm happy with it, but I got it as a gift....Do a search for the other threads on this topic. You'll find lots of good info there, too.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have used my fly reel down to 18' so far and find it quick and easy to use, I can backreel the jig down fater than it can fall, running a 2/3 Okuma SLV.....

[hamms-scooter]

I started using schooley reels last year and they are now on most of my ice rods. You get no spin in your jig and when you pull the line out it takes any thought of spin out of the 2 lbs gold stren I use. They are cheap and effective. I got my first one from MTBucket thanks again Mike.