Fishing Outside Rod and Reel

[Gunflint Guy]

I'd like to run and gun more when ice fishing lake trout this winter. Fishing outside more would help facilitate this, but I hate freezing holes and iced up rods and reels. Doing some research, I see people recommend fishing mono, not braid. Can do. Is it better to use a level wind baitcasting reel with mono? I'm thinking about line twist. Does a level wind behave better than spinning reels in freezing weather? I am thinking about internal parts, etc. I know some people have recommended a spiral guide baitcasting ice rod, but those I have seen have small guides that would freeze up fast. Anyone know of a spiral rod with oversized guides? Is there a reason to not want oversized guides?

Does anyone have any other tips regarding fishing outside in cold weather? Keeping holes open?

[mww24]

Id think as long as baitcasting rod as you feel comfortable with would be ideal. Typically baitcasting rods have smaller guides than spinning rods. If you went to REC recoil guides you eliminate the insert making them a bit bigger. If I was in your spot I'd go custom built rod all the way. Make like a 48" heavy action rod with as big as recoils as the builder thinks you can get away with. The spiral wrapped guides are meant to eliminate the rod twisting when fighting fish. I'd think doing that would be more personal preference than a necessity. Pair that with a small baitcasting reel. Like a 50 series shimano curado. You could disassemble the reel and clean the grease out and just lubricates with oil.or replace with a low temp grease to help prevent freeze up. I would also skip braided line and use mono or fluorocarbon like you say.

[fisherman-andy]

If you choose a custom rod you dont necessarily have to go with recoils, but choose ring guides that are more suitable for outside fishing. Being that your fishing a much heavier rod and lure the recoils dont benefit you much here as much there more for light & finesse. Plus the Recoils arent much larger then for say the outside Fuji alconite guides that places like Thorne Bros offer.

Applying some light oil or something Pams cooking spray onto your guides and or auger blades will help from freezing up. As far as lines coiling and freezing you can look into inline reels but spinning will do just fine when your using stronger heavier lines and lures their less succeptible to freeze.

[Fred_Bear]

I've tried forcing myself to switch over to using a levelwind for lakers the last three winters... I don't recommend it. The only real advantage to them is when a fish hits as your dropping down a hole, you can thumb the spool and set the hook immediately. Other than that... spinning gear all the way. Levelwinds don't like ice! If you do try a levelwind... don't use a low profile reel. They have a tiny little levelwind guide that freezes up in minutes and is a pain to get ice out of. A good real is an Abu 5600 C4.

For the rod you can't beat a Thorne Bros 42" Pro Glass. If you want to fish lakers outside when it's cold... DON'T USE GRAPHITE!! I've broken way too many graphite rods on hooksets and all because it was below zero and graphite doesn't like cold weather.

As far as line goes I use 10-15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluoro leader and just deal with the freezing issues. Mono has way too much stretch and memory to be using it in 50+ fow.

[Gunflint Guy]

All good input, thanks!

[Mike Stark]

I also like to run and gun for lake trout and walleye. i dont like using braid outside. i might use it outside if its not too cold out but when temps get around 0 braid is a pain. i have had pretty good luck with deep water hook sets with mono. i dont fish deeper than 50ft very often tho. if you have a good rod with some back bone and give it a good rip you can still drive the hooks in.

i just got a couple 42in pro glass thorne bros rods today. they are going to be sweet. they have over sized guides to prevent them from icing up. cant wait to try them out on the ice.

i have always used spinning reels. love them for lake trout.