Black Betty 6061...

[Dark Cloud]

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?

I just knotted it around the spool, cranked on a few turns, couldnt get it to slip, then just put on a small bunch of line. No need for backing with these multiplying reels...

[Fishin4fun_MN]

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?

I have 2 of the EC combo's. One I am planning on fishing as a combo and the other combo I took the reel off and put on a 13 Fishing Wicked Ice. They are both fairly well balanced. The 13 Fishing combo is more balanced than the EC one though.

[fisherman-andy]

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?

Ah yes the weight balance issue. This seems to a be a quite a bit of concerned to some individuals as it just "doesnt feel right" or thinks the line may retrieve in towards more one side of the spool. I like to think of this as no more then a first impressions type of concern. Again the BB 6061 definitely has some minor flaws or issues. It's not perfect, im no mechanical engineer so I cant point out everything that feel flawed. But likely folks who know how to repair and make reels will have different observations, likes & dislikes about this reel. The question is will it do the job you want to use it for satifactory?

Ive playing with the BB 6061 and EC in my hands for some time now I am not really bothered by the weight issue as I was before anymore. Depending on how you hold the rod and reel you will feel the reel most off balance when holding it traditional way like a spinning reel.

Try the pencil grip or holding the top of the rod like a fly rod grip and the weight is less likely noticeable, in part after a bit you may not notice the off balance at all. The way you grip it with your hands seems to play a counter balance. In part some people may hold their reels and rods in all different ways and angles during ice fishing causing off balance.

[fisherman-andy]

Fisherman Andy

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

Their called Cold Snap reel wraps. Google and you'll find you can purchase for about $10 enough wraps for 8 rod combos.

[efishsport]

Cold snap reel bands for $10?? Yes, that is what the going rate is, but you could buy the exact same thing--100 of them for like $2 at F farm. They are just castrating bands for cattle--they are not a new product! Just taking a product already out there and using it for a different purpose.

[fisherman-andy]

Cold snap reel bands for $10?? Yes, that is what the going rate is, but you could buy the exact same thing--100 of them for like $2 at F farm. They are just castrating bands for cattle--they are not a new product! Just taking a product already out there and using it for a different purpose.

Never said they were new product, however i've never handled castrating bands for cattle before. You must be experienced in such? Just kidding...

These bands are a pain to fit on the handle, Cold Snaps package them with a tool to help put the on your rod handle. Or you can go the route of efishsport suggested. You will also need to purchase an castrating elastor tool too.

[Esox_Magnum]

Got mine today and very impressed, wish I had per ordered 2 now....

[simple1]

I guess I will give one of these a shot. If nothing else it changes up the fishing a little

Simple1

[mwalleye]

Well I have fished with my Black Betty 6061 now for three days straight and yes this is my very first inline real I thought the concept was great but IMO this reel needs alot of work #1 free spool tention is pretty much non existent they say it was designed for very light lures and I've tried and small when I reel it feels like it pulses as you crank. #2 the clicker worked pretty good the other day but today with the cold (I think) it sounded pretty sick pulling line and retrieve all and all I am looking to return it and wait for the bugs to be gone because I do like the looks of this reel at least and the concept.

[Esox_Magnum]

are you sure the tensions backed off all the way, takes 2-3 full truns to back all the way off...Also with the clicker on adds tension, not sure why it even has that feature, mine will spin for 10 seconds or more when spun by hand, havent spooled it yet to try a jig on yet though... Will mainly use 3-5mm tungsten on it though...

[Esox_Magnum]

Ok timed it with a good hard spin in free spool, best I got was 40 seconds of free spin...

[PerchPounder]

how many hours of testing did you do?

[Esox_Magnum]

Ok curiosity got the best of me so spooled it up with #3 and tied on the smallest ratso I had, #12 and hit the button and it fell nicely to the floor....

Chris I got about 8 hours of couch time on mine so far...

[Dark Cloud]

A buddy of mine got a nice steelie with his 6061 today, open water. He used it for running egg sacs under a float on the Salmon River. Also got 2 smallish browns. Said it worked like a champ in free spool and the drag got a real good workout. He just stood at the top of a run and let his rig free spool down through the hole...