Fly Reels

[sam10basefish]

Seems like the new thing to do is go with the fly reel. I assume this is so the line does not twist. Is it worth going out and getting one before my LOTW trip in a few weeks? Any tricks to using them? If so what is a less expensive one I can try out with a drag on it if possible

[live4chrome]

good for pan fish, not good for larger game fish. slow to reel in and no dependable drag. not to mention you will be fishing so deep on low. Stick with a spinning reel for walleye

[Will]

If you decide to try a fly reel, check out ROSS. 3M recently acquired them. They are well made with a decent drag and a good value. I got one for Christmas and I really like it.

I agree that they are good for fishing shallow for panfish.

Will

[Chef]

Load up a Spinning reel with no-stretch line like Sufix for your LOTW trip when you're fishing at depths over 25ft. Use a 6Lb., 18" Mono "leader" to tie your jigging spoon on below the Sufix. You'll land twice the number of fish with this rig than using all Mono.

[Eric_Kruger]

good for pan fish, not good for larger game fish. slow to reel in and no dependable drag. not to mention you will be fishing so deep on low. Stick with a spinning reel for walleye

I agree with this except the drag part, the drags in fly reels are monumentally greater than my spinning tackle. at least the okumas anyway. Fly reels are built to deal with runs in current from heavy fish. as long as you buy a quality reel and not a cheapy, the drag will be plenty fine. all my panfish gear has fly reels.

[BriGuy88]

I decided to join the craze this year and give a fly reel a try. Picked up a Big C-branded reel from the Rogers store and loaded it up. Takes a while to get used to the lack of freespooling and also the 1:1 retrieve, but it has been fun landing crappies this year with it! No line twist whatsoever! The drag on the $44 Big C reel seems really nice. Agree that this set up works better for shallower applications, but I don't think I'd have any worries about trying to land a walleye with it... as long as it is spooled up with appropriate line. One thing the guys recommended was to use tip up line for backer and then finish with mono. Worked good for me.

[gurkster]

good for pan fish, not good for larger game fish. slow to reel in and no dependable drag. not to mention you will be fishing so deep on low. Stick with a spinning reel for walleye

I agree. I don't think you will like 1:1 retrieve for walleye in 30 fow.

[munchy71]

good for pan fish, not good for larger game fish. slow to reel in and no dependable drag. not to mention you will be fishing so deep on low. Stick with a spinning reel for walleye

Boy, I sure hope Luke doesn't see this. LOL!!!!

-Munchy

[sam10basefish]

Thanks for all the advise guys. Chef Does the mono leader give the spoons a little better action or what is the purpose? Most of my reels have the sufix braid on already. What mono do you mono would you suggest?

[JIvers]

I've heard good things about using fly reels for panfish through the ice. People tell me they're light and cut way down on line twist.

In my case, I already had a surplus of ultra-light spinning reels before fly reels for ice-fishing became popular. I don't mind using spinning reels, so I'm probably going to wait until attrition whittles my surplus down before taking the fly-reel plunge.

[CarpinMNRiver]

The guy at Gander tried selling me one. I think it's a waste of money for panfish. You really don't need anything fancy for panfish.

[Esox_Magnum]

Fly reels are great for panfish and perch, I use mine down to 20' but after that I run spinning reels, yes they are worth adding to your arsenal....

[Knoc]

Its my 1st winter using one too and I love it. The retreval was a little slow, but if you start the reel with some thicker line (I did tip up line) to make the spool bigger, then your line, it comes in alot quicker.

[blackdog1101]

I've used one for a couple years now for panfish, and really like it. For 90% of my panfishing its perfect. If I'm fishing deeper I use a spinning reel. I've got several expensive fly reels, but I just use a cheap Pflueger for ice fishing.

[slipperybob]

I will run fly reels up to 40 fow. The slow retrieve sometimes help to keep your fish air bladder from blowing up through their mouths. Great way to ensure good release.

[chuckwagon]

I know nothing about fly fishing ... what size reels are you all using? I am seeing fly reels on e bay for as low as 1 dollar and free shipping? Is this some kind of scam? I am not familiar with e bay.

[Esox_Magnum]

I prefer the 2/3 size some like the 4/5

[Eric_Kruger]

if your putting it on a rod 24" or shorter the 2/3 should balance well, anything longer and I would suggest the 4/5. Ive tried numerous rods in various lengths and that is the rule of thumb I have decided upon.

[FirstIce]

I know nothing about fly fishing ... what size reels are you all using? I am seeing fly reels on e bay for as low as 1 dollar and free shipping? Is this some kind of scam? I am not familiar with e bay.

If you want a fly reel decently priced and good quality check out the Okuma SLV 2/3 or 4/5 size. Like stated 24" I would use the 2/3, and 28" use the 4/5 size. SLV's have awesome drags on them. You can typically find them for $40-$50 online

[Chef]

I prefer to use a mono dropper for a leader so you have some "give" when setting the hook so you don't rip the spoon out of the mouth.

I use whatever I have handy in my left-over spool box that's 6 or 8lb test--usually it's Berkley or Sufix line.

[chuckwagon]

Chef. What type of fish do you target when using the mono leader ... And what is you mayn line material