Eagle Claw's inline ice reel! Are U into the fly ice reel craze yet?

[PurpleFloyd]

What benefit will a reel like this give me over just using one of my baitcast reels from my summer rods like I have been doing? I am not familiar with them so just wondering what benefit I would get from adding yet another reel design to my stash.

likewise, if I were to buy one, is there any benefit to them that would translation to the open water season in the prairie pothole region?

[whitebassman]

baitcast reels tend to be too big for ice rods. but if you have a smaller baitcast try it. it is straightlining, however the smaller diameter of the baitcaster still will cause the line to loop rather then twist.

plus, I don't like having the reel on top of the rod, especially a smaller ice rod.

As for summer use, with this reel, as it has the ability to free spool, should be good for jigging. but given its cheaper components, may not stand up to more rigorous use.

[jbird68]

I bought a mr. crappie reel for $13 st a show last spring. Haven't had a chance to use it on ice yet. I mounted it on the under side of my rod and have the handle set on the right side. I don't like to reel with my left hand.

[scott b]

So here's a reel that doesn't give line twist. OK. But from what I've read here, there are too many drawbacks to justify adding this style of reel to my arsenal.

#1 Bad Drag.

This is the most important feature of any reel on ice. I saw a comment on fishing with 4lb. but what happens when you are panfishing with 2 lb. or dare I say 1 lb. test? This is why the noodle rod was invented, to handle light line. Why couple a noodle rod with a bad drag? Nice crappie comes in and blammo... set the hook and no more jig.

#2 Continuous jigging (or any for that matter) WILL TWIST YOUR LINE!

Put on a wax worm or plastic tail and we've just rendered the main function of this style of reel USELESS!

#3 Free Fall Function.

So I'm on the ice waiting for my tiny jig to fall through the water column wile it's pulling against the reel? Really? This would take forever. So I get impatient and raise the rod tip sharply to let out more line...BAM! Birds nest? Not cool.

#4 Plastic.

If you want to fish with a Snoopy pole then go buy a Snoopy pole. They are much less expensive.

On a side note to Dtro.... One way that this reel would be effective with a line out clicker..... People that haven't heard of a rattle wheel!

[Fishin4fun_MN]

So here's a reel that doesn't give line twist. OK. But from what I've read here, there are too many drawbacks to justify adding this style of reel to my arsenal.

#1 Bad Drag.

This is the most important feature of any reel on ice. I saw a comment on fishing with 4lb. but what happens when you are panfishing with 2 lb. or dare I say 1 lb. test? This is why the noodle rod was invented, to handle light line. Why couple a noodle rod with a bad drag? Nice crappie comes in and blammo... set the hook and no more jig.

#2 Continuous jigging (or any for that matter) WILL TWIST YOUR LINE!

Put on a wax worm or plastic tail and we've just rendered the main function of this style of reel USELESS!

#3 Free Fall Function.

So I'm on the ice waiting for my tiny jig to fall through the water column wile it's pulling against the reel? Really? This would take forever. So I get impatient and raise the rod tip sharply to let out more line...BAM! Birds nest? Not cool.

#4 Plastic.

If you want to fish with a Snoopy pole then go buy a Snoopy pole. They are much less expensive.

On a side note to Dtro.... One way that this reel would be effective with a line out clicker..... People that haven't heard of a rattle wheel!

Why do you have to be such a "Debbie Downer"? Most of us on this thread seem to be excited about this (these) new reels. Most "plastic" reels aren't plastic, they are a composite. These reels do free spool but it is in a more conventional way as there is a button on them. Yes, I have heard of a Rattle Reel, no I do not fish with them. I feel that is pure laziness. Hang a reel on the wall or pole of my house/shelter and wait for it to rattle...I could be jigging or even hole hopping. Also I like the idea of a line out alarm...I often take my son with me, this will help in times when I have to put my rod down or in a holder to assist him.

Bad drag? I have heard good things about this reel. Not to mention I have seen what the guys on this forum can do. I an positive one or all of us can come up with some thing or sum way to fix this if it is a problem.

Line twist? A small swivel can help with some of that. I often fish with a snap swivel for quick jig changes and have never really had an issue with line twist unless I was tying on a bigger lure or jig for walleye or pike.

I normally fish with the same weight lines as a lot of other ppl here do, that 2 - 4# test and I use both spinning and bait casters. I am willing to try anything once. I have looked at similar reels like the Black Betty and the Frabill 241. While not the same, they are in the same class and I believe that this will be a great reel for all who have bought one.

Go check out the videos that they have made for the reel/combo, see for yourself. They are using it in open water in the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7V__hAU9n0.

[DTro]

Can we all agree that the only fascination with this trend is to eliminate line twist?

I can't think of any other benefit. For me personally, I haven't been convinced that it will help me all that much.

Like said above, drag is very important to me.

[Fishin4fun_MN]

I agree with you DTro. And drag is important to all of us ice guys.

[fisherman-andy]

So here's a reel that doesn't give line twist. OK. But from what I've read here, there are too many drawbacks to justify adding this style of reel to my arsenal.

#1 Bad Drag.

This is the most important feature of any reel on ice. I saw a comment on fishing with 4lb. but what happens when you are panfishing with 2 lb. or dare I say 1 lb. test? This is why the noodle rod was invented, to handle light line. Why couple a noodle rod with a bad drag? Nice crappie comes in and blammo... set the hook and no more jig.

#2 Continuous jigging (or any for that matter) WILL TWIST YOUR LINE!

Put on a wax worm or plastic tail and we've just rendered the main function of this style of reel USELESS!

#3 Free Fall Function.

So I'm on the ice waiting for my tiny jig to fall through the water column wile it's pulling against the reel? Really? This would take forever. So I get impatient and raise the rod tip sharply to let out more line...BAM! Birds nest? Not cool.

#4 Plastic.

If you want to fish with a Snoopy pole then go buy a Snoopy pole. They are much less expensive.

On a side note to Dtro.... One way that this reel would be effective with a line out clicker..... People that haven't heard of a rattle wheel!

Let's breakdown your issues. Have you use inline reels or fly reels on the ice before? If not your jumping to many conclusions without first experiencing it.

1. Drag - How do you know its a bad drag? Most guys using this reel is will generally be on 2#-4# test line. I use strictly flourocarbon or a superline. I pulled up many slabs, perch, tullibees on 2# flourocarbon without having to really use the drag. From playing with the Eagle Claw inline reel and having someone tug on the other line to simulate, I think the drag appears to work just fine if handling a larger fish. I do admit its not currently as advanced as a spinning reel drag. Again cost & design. I actually read a review of the drag on the Eagle Claw reel from a guy on another forum who repairs/rebuilds fishing reels and he actually spoke highly of quality control and the drag on this reel being smooth and well made.

2. Continuous jigging - Fishing is gonna cause stress & stretch on the line. However on a finicky bite most jigging action is very minimal and the lure will seldom spin. Its not like your actively jigging the lure really hard the whole time. A spinning reel will spin the lure no matter how light or hard you jig the lure. Even if the lure spins its not gonna spin like using a spinning reel nor is the line curling and twisting from the spool. Advantage here to the inline reel.

3. Free fall - How is this different from a spinning reel free falling? The inline reel has a tension to control how fast the free fall happens. Similiar to adjusting tension on a baitcaster to let your bait free fall. This is the biggest feature of this type of reel. In part the free spool here on the straightline is probably better at allowing the line to fall quicker then a spinning reel which has to coil lines through the guides. Add a tungsten jig and it works wonders. Too light of a small lead jig and you can pull the line a little to help it along its free fall.

4. Plastic? Im not gonna lie it may not be a reel to last a life time. Hence the cost. Your not really spending $100. Your spending $15-30. The housing and wheel appears very durable for the plastic or graphite like materials being used. Its not just cheap flimsy plastic. Even the internals appears well put together. Only the internal protective plastic cover that sits over the gears appear flimsy. If you want metal take a look at 13 Fishing's 6061 ice ninja inline reel.

I can understand a fly reel or inline reel is not a prefer choice for everyone regardless of the features. And that is fine. However to me these types of reels are fun and from use I see the benefit of having them over spinning reels when fishing for certain species of fish.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Why am I not getting line twist like everyone else? No one ever answers me that. What am I doing wrong?

[Dark Cloud]

Can we all agree that the only fascination with this trend is to eliminate line twist?

I can't think of any other benefit. For me personally, I haven't been convinced that it will help me all that much.

Like said above, drag is very important to me.

From a flyfisherman at heart... how about, they are just plain fun to use?

I have been running fly reels for quite a few years and really enjoy them. Are they the "end all be all", nope but nothing is...

Cant speak for the EC but "most" good fly reels have better drags than "most" spinning reels...

Yes line spin is the biggest factor. How you rig and jig your bait comes into play also but spinning reels by thier very nature put twist into the line...

Back to the flyfisherman in me... Till I fish with oe of the new multiplying reels, im not sold. I actually like the 1 to 1 fight of a fly reel...

As for getting your jig back down - Except for the few times a year im fishing heavier jigs, I usually hand feed jigs back down. Kind of habit from fishing micro stuff for so many years for panfish. I always grab the line at the rod tip and pull it off the reel, even with the bail open on a spinning reel. A jig can get down much quicker this way. Like I said, habit from small baits and dealing with ice in the guides...

Nothing is for everyone, and that is a good thing...

[fishersofmen]

Why am I not getting line twist like everyone else? No one ever answers me that. What am I doing wrong?

Lol I don't have much of a problem with line twist either. Like others have said it appears to be just a different style of toy to play with, I don't see it actually improving ones fishing success.

[scott b]

Post 500 Yeah!

[scott b]

All of my posts have been to help guide people in the right direction to bigger and better fishing (nothing more). Well.. except for one a while back. Sorry Rick! I have no affiliation with ANY companies or pro staff. Thanks for looking and I will continue to upset the man and put fish in hand.

Thanks to everyone!

If you feel the need to buy into the latest gimmick, I feel sorry for you. You could have taken that $60.00 spent (some guys are buying three) and put it towards a quality fishing reel. Not just ice either.

Put me on a spot where I KNOW I will get bit on the down fall and I will make you think that Barbie doll hair is the best lure attractant ever...Even though they cost $30.00 per doll.

[Jim Uran]

I think line twist can be a pain.... I think that these rods will only get better, more affordable, and of course more expensive at the same time. You can call it a gimmick, but there is always something that comes along that changes the game, and sticks around. I think these multiplier fly reels are going to be just that.... Even though they are just starting out, they will be perfected over the years, and used by plenty.

[openingact]

All of my posts have been to help guide people in the right direction to bigger and better fishing (nothing more). Well.. except for one a while back. Sorry Rick! I have no affiliation with ANY companies or pro staff. Thanks for looking and I will continue to upset the man and put fish in hand.

Thanks to everyone!

If you feel the need to buy into the latest gimmick, I feel sorry for you. You could have taken that $60.00 spent (some guys are buying three) and put it towards a quality fishing reel. Not just ice either.

Put me on a spot where I KNOW I will get bit on the down fall and I will make you think that Barbie doll hair is the best lure attractant ever...Even though they cost $30.00 per doll.

Like said above, some things aren't for everyone and everyone's opinion will vary. Ultimately it's the fisherman that puts the fish on the ice, not the reel. These will actually be taking the spot of a couple of my quality spinning reels and I have little doubt I'll have fish in hand as well. While many of your posts are good and informational, the one quoted isn't one of them and just has you coming off as smug. Tight lines.

[Eric_Kruger]

Got mine today, for what they are they are nice reels. Only gripe I have and its so minor its insane is that the line goes on over the top of the spool....not the bottom like my fly reels. took me a while to grasp that while switching retrieve sides on them...

[whitebassman]

Got mine today, for what they are they are nice reels. Only gripe I have and its so minor its insane is that the line goes on over the top of the spool....not the bottom like my fly reels. took me a while to grasp that while switching retrieve sides on them...

i noticed that too. After thinking about it I liked it that way. On such a short rod, the line is straighter coming off the reel that way. On a fly rod, the difference is miniscule.

["Just Add Ice"]

Got mine on friday and for the price this reel is pretty dam nice. It does have a free spool option that might be over looked. You need to push in the nut that is in the middle of the handle and it will allow it to free spool with or without the clicker on...

[fisherman-andy]

Got mine on friday and for the price this reel is pretty dam nice. It does have a free spool option that might be over looked. You need to push in the nut that is in the middle of the handle and it will allow it to free spool with or without the clicker on...

Actually the "free spool" is probably the biggest reason why you are seeing the craze here about this reel. I think anyone who has bought the reel did so for that feature more then any other reason. The other big feature here would be drag. Otherwise it just be another fly/inline type reel.

[Colemanvdh123]

I have a good question that I think a lot of people who are looking into this reels are concerned with. I just bought 3 of these eagle claw reels and I am trying to find a way to convert the reels from left hand drive like they come to right hand drive. I already took the reel apart and its doesn't look all that easy.

If anyone could please help me please reply. Other wise I will have three brand new reels for sale.

[Colemanvdh123]

Need help!!!!!!!!!!!! Im trying to convert my new eagle claw reel from left hand drive to right hand drive. If anyone knows please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fishwater]

You need to remove the handle and bearings, you'll eventually get to a one way bearing that needs to be flipped over. It has a white plastic cover that faces out, you need to pull this out and flip it so the white side faces towards the spool.

[Eric_Kruger]

You need to remove the handle and bearings, you'll eventually get to a one way bearing that needs to be flipped over. It has a white plastic cover that faces out, you need to pull this out and flip it so the white side faces towards the spool.

Yep in this order from the nut in.....

Cap for free spool

Spring

Little philips screw for the nut lock

Reel handle nut

Reel handle

Drag knob

2- Thin spring washers

Bearing

Lastly the one way bearing and sleeve.

Take out the one way bearing and flip it over, re assemble .

[Colemanvdh123]

OMG!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much. i just did it. really easy. just need some really small screw drivers ha

[chippy]

so what store still has these instock?