Black Betty 6061...

[IamZombie]

With all do respect.... All , well almost all products have a place in this world. Whether it be a price factor, feel, looks, or quality and performance, there are alot of people with difference of opinions. If this wasnt so, then there would only be one kind of everything in this world. I can personally tell by the feel that i am not a fan of a fly reel type reel. But i cannot say that they are bad. I just dont want anyone telling me they are the best.

Good luck to all who fishes with them.

I would like to hear reviews from die hard spinning reel users who try one.

I know the one point I did like about the BB6061 and the EC reel was that you reel in, what I call, the regular direction. Like a spinning reel. With the other fly type reels you have to reel backwards from what you'd be used to.

[Esox_Magnum]

Reel backwards??? I have 3 different brands of fly reels all reel the same as a spinning reeland all are reversable if your right handed

[chippy]

Picked up the last BB6061 at Joe's this morning. Mounted it on my Fenwick Icetech and it feels great!

[DTro]

So what I've heard is the the side opposite of the handle actually spins when you reel? Is this true? If so, I think it is going to be a real pain when fishing with gloves or just plain getting in the way or a knuckle buster when using a pencil style grip.

Maybe I'm wrong.

[bobbymalone]

I know the one point I did like about the BB6061 and the EC reel was that you reel in, what I call, the regular direction. Like a spinning reel. With the other fly type reels you have to reel backwards from what you'd be used to.

[dfeste]

Pencil style grip is not going to work with the 6061. Yes the non winding side turns on them. I just measured the distance between the bail wire on an Abu Cardinal 4000ui and the handle of the rod, and also the handle of the rod and the spool of the 6061. Spinning reel 1.5", 6061 1.375". It's an eith inch closer. May or may not make a differance. Fortunately for me I fish with non gloved hands out of a shelter the majority of time so it won't be an issue.

My first impressions of this reel are positive. It is not for everyone and just because of the price tag it is going to get a ton of negative reviews. People can't or won't pay that kind of money for an ice fishing reel so they rip on it.

[Gus]

So what I've heard is the the side opposite of the handle actually spins when you reel? Is this true? If so, I think it is going to be a real pain when fishing with gloves or just plain getting in the way or a knuckle buster when using a pencil style grip.

Maybe I'm wrong.

I don't think you are wrong. I have the same thoughts as you. I went to the show convinced this was going to be the greatest reel in ice history, and left still looking. Too much flash, not enough thought into the ergonomics of the design. My opinion of course.

[OnAFly]

I think this is a fad and won't last. I've been using fly reels as ice reels for 3 years now and really the only time they have been useful was fishing shallow water. Fishing deep took too long to get down the hole or wound up with the line tangling on the outside of the hole. All said and done, they have their place, but spinning reels are still more efficient fish catchers in general. Just my opinion.

[IamZombie]

Reel backwards??? I have 3 different brands of fly reels all reel the same as a spinning reeland all are reversable if your right handed

[Fishnblood]

I have to agree with Dannn, I held one of the Black Betty's in my hand out at Gander (the fly reel one) and something about the balance felt off. Too heavy when holding it, maybe I'm just use to the smaller open face reel? I'll stick with the Presidential/meatstick setup. Just my 2 cents.

[whitebassman]

Fishing deep took too long to get down the hole Just my opinion.

What you're missing is the free spool feature here. Push the knob in and it will even freespool a small tungsten jig.

What sets both the EC and 6061 apart from other fly reels are:

1) freespool

2) greater then 1:1 retrieve ration at 2.6:1. This really eliminates the flyreels niche as a shallow water reel.

3) drag mechanics

Again, despite the heated debate here. It is not a reel for everyone. I myself have a couple EC and 2 6061's on preorder from Dean. If I don't like it, I can turn around and sell it to someone who does. That's the beauty of America. Free capitalism.

If I lose a few bucks in the process, so be it. The excitement and interest is worth it to me. Just like sitting down at the blackjack table and dropping $50 for a nights entertainment.

It's all in what you want and what you like. It's not for everyone.

But I have a feeling it will be more than a fad, as long as the tech improves over time and price drops, it will be more and more mainstream. Hell, they said the iPod was a fad, and look at it now.

[fisherman-andy]

Good reviews and observations pouring in from everyone. From what I have read so far the concerns come from the design and quality control of the reel as well as cost. Making a direct comparison like the BB 6061 to a fly reel such as an Okuma 2/3 may not be ideal. Features and design are very different even though its straightline. Their not going to feel the same or perform the same in your hands.

As I stated in some other threads already on here the position of the reel and how one attaches it and grips the rod handle that the reels sits on can be frustrating. Of course having smaller hands helps. If your wearing thick gloves, mitts, or have big hands trying to pencil grip will cause the spool wheel to hit your hand or glove. Your options here to alleviate this issue with be to grip it like you do a spinning reel or use a rod that has tennessee cork or a longer cork handle at least 12" to where you can grip the upper part of the handle like a fly rod.

The other issue here is the knob tension setting for free spool has to be precise and constantly adjusted if your swapping different lures with different weight ratios. Making this cumbersome. Not properly adjusting the tension with free spool can lead to a birds nest. I been adjusting the tension on freel spool so that my 4mm tungsten jig only starts to free fall if I give it some sort of light pull. Do this and allow the lure to hit the ground surface and watch the spool. If it spins too freely and fast you need to tighten the tension a bit more.

Again this is not a reel for everyone, its gonna require your to give it some time to see if it really works for your application. If your not willing to do this then I recommend sticking to your current setup. Or go with the typical fly reel/basic inline reel instead. Anglers coming over from using just spinning reels will find it the most difficult to assimilate the features and feel of this reel or any inline reel in particular.

Whether these reels continue to be a fad or not remains to be seen as it does serve a certain purpose for the crowd that accepts it. It will likely evolve and get better...

[Crappyfisherman]

The 6061 is a great looking reel,just not for me.I use the Ice Tech Razor.Don't know why they didnt catch on here,might be the price $85.00.

Anyways my point is the free spool seems like it will be more trouble than it is worth.The way that thing spins one wrong setting and birdsnest big time.Would like to see a drag race between these differant straight line reels to compare drags,drop speed,weight and balance.I'm game for a show down at high noon.

[fishwater]

Anyways my point is the free spool seems like it will be more trouble than it is worth.The way that thing spins one wrong setting and birdsnest big time.Would like to see a drag race between these differant straight line reels to compare drags,drop speed,weight and balance.I'm game for a show down at high noon.

I think the idea that the free spool on these inline reels is going to get out of control and cause a huge bird's nest is being greatly overstated. For one, you're not reaching the spool speeds of a casting reel. Maybe if you drop a solid 1oz weight more than 25' and just forget that you did so, but I found the BB 6064 had really awesome and easy drop control. I've only used it for 6 hours super shallow, but I could hit the freespool and just leave it in the holder until it bumped bottom. No significant excess line ever came off the spool.

[Jim Uran]

This is just the beginning, other companies are most likely working on these stye reels now. I think they will be tweeked over the next few seasons and everyone will own one in the future..... Just my opinion though

[fishwater]

I totally agree Jim, these will get refined and take over the ice fishing market.

Honestly, apart from line spin issues, a spinning reel introduces a lot of line tension changes on a short ice rod. As the bail spins, it causes the line tension to change with regard to the bails orientation to the line guides. Every notice that when you reel up fast to check your bait, your rod tip does oscillatory whump whump whump whump towards the hole? This is gone with an inline.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

THAT IS ALL IM SAYING...

That's what I was thinking....thanks for the input Andy~

I was all set to to try and find one today at Joe's but may hold off a bit. I'll wait and field test a friends so I don't have the hassle of selling or returning it!

Plus I had the price screwed up. I thought they were $49 for some reason.

[sunnyman24]

Hey guys! I fished last weekend with the Black Betty. I was not at all impressed. I am left handed and the reel tension screw or brake is on the same side that you reel. It turns the same way a lefty reels. I had the screw come off three times. This is a big problem for me, not so much if you reel with your left hand. The screw goes the opposite way and tightens then. If you catch a non targeted fish like a northern GOOD LUCK. If it has any size to it you arent gonna land it very easy. Worked alright for panfish. Also this would be a difficult reel to use wearing gloves. Just my opinions. Might work for you just fine.

[Dark Cloud]

SunnyMan - sounds like you have the BB not the BB6061... I am righty and have not had that happen. Maybe a dab of loc-tite?

I got my 6061 in the mail from Thorne Bros today. I spooled her up and played around a bit with the functions.

I will have no issues with the way I grip the rod - I pencil grip the handle. If you palm the reel you may have some issues.

I really like the free spool option! But I could see how a guy might end up with a backlash.

I see what folks are saying about the balance, she wants to settle to the right slightly. Not sure your gonna notice that while fishing?

Cant wait to fish with it!

[chippy]

Dark Cloud did you tape the line and then spool or did you just knot it and then spooled it? Wondering if there's any slip if I did the latter?

[bltbowhunter]

I just got mine yesterday as well. I haven't spooled it up yet, but was wondering if I would need to back it to fill up the spool?

[fisherman-andy]

Finally got my two Betties today in the mail, phew...

Their both sitting pretty on my customs rods already below:

Tuned Up Customs Precision Ice rod

DH Customs Ice Blue Camo Noodle & Perch Pounder rods

[fishkins]

DUDE! You've taken the color coordination thing to a whole new level.

LOOKIN GOOD should be in a magazine!

[broman]

I looked at the Eagle Claw rod/reel combo at Gander Mountain on Thursday. While I like the idea of using a fly reel I just couldn't get over how unbalanced it was. The handle was really heavy and weighted it down so that it was a 20 to 30 degree angle when you held the rod in your hand. That's what made me put that one down. I looked at the BB at the show and it was really nice. I don't recall the same unbalanced issue with the handle. Andy, what are your thoughts on the balance between the BB and the EC?

[tview]

Fisherman Andy

Nice looking rigs. What are you using to hold the rods on the poles?