Rattle Reels

[bassNspear]

so i purchased a new ice castle, and now its time to get some rattle reels. i looked at a few a fleet farm, but im still undecided.

what do you guys think are the best ones to buy?

[Freedom81]

I use mine in a portable, so I've got the ones with the clamps on them. I have a wood one and a plastic one. Both are the same size where one revolution equals one foot; super nice for quick depth changes! Being that I use mine in the portable, they have had some exposure to the elements, and the wood one is starting to show. It is starting to warp a little, but still works great. In a permanent, I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but I'd say go with the plastic and you'd never have to worry about it.

While on the subject, I just want to say I love fishing rattle reels. I've had the wood one since I got into ice fishing 6 years ago, and it has been one of my go-to setups. Sometimes it outfishes all my other rods! I caught a 36" 13 lbs northern on Red Lake in December on it(personal best) after only being set-up for 10 minutes! I went to Lake of the Woods last weekend with a couple guys who don't ice fish very much, and told them how excited I get and how my ears were tuned into the faint sound of a light hit. After two days of pounding the fish, these guys were jumping at the slightest sound of the rattle!

[dougger222]

Two of my fish houses have the "original" wooden rattle wheels and after several years of use have held up well.

The Dreamshak has the made in usa ones purchased at the ice show for $7.50 each and they seem to work very good so far (one season). At the same show bought two catch cover rattle reels and one will be returned as it's too tight.

[MJ1657]

It was quite awhile ago but someone had a thread with some homemade rattle reels that were really nice.

[bassNspear]

I want to get some that I can remove so come summer time I don't have to worry about them while using this house

[bassNspear]

Rattle Snake Reels anyone have any experience with these. i used them one weekend on red, and they seemed good. nice thing i like about them is that you can remove them

[2thepointsetters]

It got mine at Milaca Unclaimed Freight. My rod holders and rattle reels use the mounts.

[2thepointsetters]

In my small house I have the Lewandoski Glow-in-the-Dark Rattle reels. The metal is nice on these but the mounts look nicer on the ones I have pictured above.

[bkiceboat]

I have the rattlesnake reels in my ice castle and love them...if ur a hard sleeper they won't work for ya tho loud enough for me but others will sleep through the bite...I love it when that happened tho.I get all the fish!!

[bassNspear]

i used these on red lake with Jonny P and they woke me up everytime. just wanted to see if others have used them. im really thinking these are the ones.

[bkiceboat]

They r pricey but in my opinion are worth the 30 bucks a pop...the nice thing about them is the arm is mobile and in the summer ya put them away and go camping!!

[otterman91105]

I also use the wooden one's that are on the clamps and they work great in a portable or permanent.

[3pronghook]

the wooden rattle wheel with bells made in fergus falls are great. The bell sound is a classic and will wake you up no problem. I see some pics where the rattle wheels are mounted only a couple feet of the floor. I like mine up high. It about eliminates any chance of the line jumping the spool. Also keep them out of way when drilling holes and easy to get set without having to kneel down. i have them set up with braided, fly line and straight mono. i use mono leaders and slip bobbers. when setting depth a small sinker above the slip bobber works great. have fun and good luck

[BLACKJACK]

When I bought my house I did the same as you, put a post here on FM, someone recommended the Lewandoski's so I bought a couple, but I don't don't like them just because they're not loud enough. They're fine during the day but not loud enough to wake me at night. Now I go with the wooden ones with bells, I have a couple mounted up high and a couple of the clamp on ones.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I love the old wooden rattle reels with a bell. In my current house I wanted to be able to remove them from the wall when they aren't being used, so those weren't an option. I looked at every single rattle reel available, and settled on the Lewandoski. Originally I thought they would be too quiet, so I bought small bells to put inside. I ended up installing them, and have used them the whole season without putting the bells in there. Haven't not woke up a single time this year, and there have been a lot of beer, Gin, Crown, Vodka, and Tequila induced hours of sleep.

Whichever you pick, spool them up with fly line. That stuff is sweet!

[RawHog]

I caught my first fish on rattle reels on LOTW this year. First fish was a decent 31" pike that while fighting it had me thinking... this walleyes going on the wall in the mancave. Batard just kept making run after run with 15-20lb mono burning my hands. That was sooo F***ing exiting I might hook a couple onto the rails on my boat haha.

Im still waiting for my first tip-up fish thought in 2 yrs of ice fishing. I've had 3 flags go up and one forsure fish biting and peeling off line. Nothing to show though

[morepower02]

It got mine at Milaca Unclaimed Freight. My rod holders and rattle reels use the mounts.

I vote for these. I have used the same set up and the rod holders also work slick.

[bassNspear]

i picked up a few rattle reel snakes for a discount today. very excited to get them.

[LindellProStaf]

Just make sure whatever you buy that it says MADE IN USA. Don't buy any cheap knockoffs made in China.

[Catfish999]

I have the wooden reels with bells and they are removable. I love them. Someone mentiond using them with bobbers. I found I do not need a bobber. I just tie yarn on the fly line and slide it up and down for a depth indicator. Once the depth is set, I just keep the yarn at the top of the reel. Then I can see if any line went out while I was outside etc.. I also like the reels mounted high so I can set the hook without kneeling and am not as likely to pull out a bunch of line with the hoodset. I do not touch the line until I set the hook and I only set the hook while the reel is turning. Just my experience, but it has worked very well for 20 years, Good luck.