In line reels... Which is best

[aquafang]

Ok, i've held out for a couple years. I love to fish for gills and crappie. Which one has a good drag most similar to a spinning reel?

And i like to jig and hold the rod in a pencil grip. So prefferably would like one that allows room for my hand. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[yoppdk]

I just went through that same decision process and ended up ordering a Frabil 371. I've used it a few times and have found it to be decent, but the drag is pretty "sticky". I'm not sure if it's how I have it set, or if that is just how it is. I hope with time it gets a bit smoother. It DOES have all the features I was hoping for, however. Other than the sticky drag, it fits my needs for walleye/crappie/trout fishing.

It comes with a pair of mounting options ... a shorter one for palming the reel and a longer one for gripping the rod.

[bloc004]

I bought 2 frabill 261 reels last year and the drag is brutal! Some people claim it's smooth as silk and mine are far from that. It's either sticky or too loose, with no in-between. So unless things have changed, stay away from the frabill in lines.

[wormdunker]

Go with the No 8. I have not tried the expensive 13 fishing ones because they are too heavy. I have tried the Eagle claws won't buy another it is a dump shoot on quality and event he best ones don't last long at all. I am very happy with the No 8. I have caught numerous big fish this year, largemouth and Pike, and have had no problems with a sticky drag.

The eagle claw is sticky and also the star drag has literally no range. the drag is on or off.

Also the No 8 has a very nice free spool. 4mm tungsten streams line of the reel.

My two cents.

[Esox_Magnum]

6061s are my personal choice. #8 cgi is decent for the price but I have noticed they aren't as smooth and a bit sticky out in the cold.

[BriGuy88]

6061s are my personal choice. #8 cgi is decent for the price but I have noticed they aren't as smooth and a bit sticky out in the cold.

+1

I've used 1st and now the 2nd gen 6061s and picked up a No8 this year also. The No8 is a great place to start for your first inline, but I prefer the drag on the 6061s. IMO both freespool very nice even with light jigs. Kind of like baitcasters... takes some time to get them dialed in and you get what you pay for.

[M1dwestF1sh]

I'd honestly say its not worth it. I've tried two in lines and what a waste of money for me. I just went back to all spinning reel. So much less heartache and the whole drag issue.

[amateurfishing]

Okuma 2/3, especially on river HSOforum in fall. $35/ea

[fishwater]

I'd honestly say its not worth it.

+1. As far as the multiplier inlines go, it's junk, junk and more junk IMO.

[corncob]

Gotta agree.....JUNK!....I've bought about every one out there for my wife,and after being used awhile the malfunctions start , and it's all downhill from there......You best bet is to find a good sale, buy 3 or 4, and when the reel acts up , throw it away and use another new one.

[djt311]

I have beam outdoors fire on ice 3' and I really like it. The drag is great and I have absolutely no issues. I bought the rod combo that you can change blanks and works great as well

[JayDeHay]

I have a HT Tightline and a 13 Black Betty. Of the two, the HT is my favorite. They're both the "direct-drive" style reel, so you don't have a traditional drag when reeling, but it hasn't been an issue for me yet. It's really easy to feel the fish and know when to ease up or let go of the reel and let the drag work its magic. Plus, there's no funky mechanisms to go wrong.

[mn86]

i have the spooler 100 had it for 2 years love it but the drag is shot now though it still works by palm dragging it. i have the ht spooler that i bought from wal mart for 15 bucks and its great. those are both one to one though so its a little tougher in deeper water. now i picked up the clam spooler elite rod n reel combo for 60 bucks and i love the combo the reel has 2/3 gear ratio so retrieval is nice, the drag seems real solid and smooth unlike some inlines the drag can be finicky, and i am really impressed with the rod actually its great for jigging pannies and u can throw the spring bobber on it for tough bites and its strong enough to land a bigger fish.