lets talk reels

[NKLCOLT1911]

everyone talks about the rods, what about the reels you attach to these rods, i think we can all agree whatever brand rod there probably the same stuff but reels can be way different, so what are people using?

[gwiff100]

i like the mitchell 300xe, not terribly expensive but very smooth and reliable. when only ice fishing for a couple months a year its hard for me to spend more than $45 on a ice fishing reel.

[slipperybob]

Shimano.

[MN BassFisher]

Shimano Sienna 500 and 1000 class. My favorite reel in the $30 range.

[toughguy]

Shimano has a AXULSA reel (not sure if they make it anymore) that was very good for $20. I also like the Pflueger Microspin, President and Trion too. Tica's Cetus reel is great for pannies. There are a lot of good options in that $25-$50 range. I won't buy a combo anymore - the reels on most are garbage.

[Eric_Kruger]

sienna 500 or trion and president in the 20 size. Ive started leaning to the sienna tho for the price. you can also add 4 bucks and upgrade to a corbon fiber drag which smooths the reel out

[NKLCOLT1911]

is there somewhere online that sells these brands im not finding much at the big box stores online sites

[clm]

Sienna 500's for me. i haven't had one issue yet.

[gwiff100]

bought mine at the big box store...

[NKLCOLT1911]

i just found the shimano, i was looking under ice fishing before and they didnt list anything really, the big c has them for 29.99 for the sienna

[toughguy]

I have a pair of Siennas too. Another good option.

[CJH]

Pflueger President.

[mojogunter]

Shimano Sedona's 500

[icefisker]

Pflueger president 6920, I also swap them out in the summer and put them on my UL panfish rods. They get a lot of use throughout the year!

I agree that the reels on combos are usually junky. IMO.

[morepower02]

Sienna 500's on all of my ice rods. For the money they are a great reel.

[Drewski]

I run the Mitchel Avocet Gold II 500's on most of my rods and absolutely love them. I also have a few Shimano Siennas and they work great as well.

[bigblue]

Siennas and Sedonas 500 for jumbo perch and slabs 1000's for whities and lakers great drags don't freeze up and not to costly .

[JordyED]

Abu Garcia Cardinals in 300 series, is what I have on my best setups. Very great reel for the money; very smooth in the harshest of conditions.

[CluckmeMN]

I have a few Cetus reels, a st.croix reel and a couple lake n rivers reels....all seem to be pretty good ...

I wont use reels with plastic parts....gotta hear that ting when the drag rolls!

[Fishin4fun_MN]

Abu Garcia's and Mitchell Advocates on most of my ice rods. Do have the new EC reels and a couple different Clams.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

All you guys running shimanos did you swap out the factory lube, or maybe you're not fishing outside? The drag on my sienna 500 cant handle freezing temps without locking up really bad it also becomes stiff to real with.

Im running mostly the $30-40 abus and pfluegers both serving me just fine.

[Eric_Kruger]

All you guys running shimanos did you swap out the factory lube, or maybe you're not fishing outside? The drag on my sienna 500 cant handle freezing temps without locking up really bad it also becomes stiff to real with.

Im running mostly the $30-40 abus and pfluegers both serving me just fine.

yep hot sauce.....and cals cold weather one the drag

[Esox_Magnum]

I run Okuma SLV 2/3, Black Betty 6061, Abu 100u,300U,400ui and Shimano Sedona, Wife runs all Mitchel Advocets.....

[JackPineGuy]

I haven’t used a reel for pan fish in the winter in years. hand lining is key. jigging for walleye a real is handy tho cuz they pull of a lot on hand sets. oh well reels usually last me a season at best. there all junk.

[bigblue]

All you guys running shimanos did you swap out the factory lube, or maybe you're not fishing outside? The drag on my sienna 500 cant handle freezing temps without locking up really bad it also becomes stiff to real with.

Im running mostly the $30-40 abus and pfluegers both serving me just fine.

My Shimano are out of the box. we fish inside a thermal and run and gun outside but we don't get the low temps some of you guys fish in .