Inline Reels?

[rl_sd]

Instead of reviving the thread from 2017, I figured it would be better off starting from scratch. I have been looking at inline reels now for a year to use for pan fishing. I’ve never used one before, only held them at the store. I was really close to buying the 13 radioactive pickle combo after thanksgiving when they had them for $90, but didn’t pull the trigger. Question for those of you that have them.... Is there a “middle of the line” combo that won’t break the bank, yet functions like it should? I hate to go cheap and end up not liking the setup because of poor build quality versus the function and handling of an inline reel. Thoughts?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I have heard from others the radio active pickle and the white ghost free fall aren't the best for dropping small jigs. Which that is what they are suppose to do.......In other words not worth the money. The higher end free falls are pretty good, and work well.

 

I do have the high end free fall, and I used it panfishing gills this last weekend on a St croix legend spring Bobber UL Rod. At first I disliked it, but once I got use to it I found it to be a nice smooth reel. Biggest problem I had was hitting the trigger to free spool when I went to set the hook. The drop adjustment worked well, and it dropped my small 1/80th lead head jig just fine. 

 

Like  most inlines you get what you pay for. I was kinda disapointed to hear about the radio active pickle reel.....I built a bright green Rod to put one on......guess I won't be now.

[Brad Pruismann]

10 hours ago, Agronomist_at_IA said:

I have heard from others the radio active pickle and the white ghost free fall aren't the best for dropping small jigs. Which that is what they are suppose to do.......In other words not worth the money. The higher end free falls are pretty good, and work well.

 

I do have the high end free fall, and I used it panfishing gills this last weekend on a St croix legend spring Bobber UL Rod. At first I disliked it, but once I got use to it I found it to be a nice smooth reel. Biggest problem I had was hitting the trigger to free spool when I went to set the hook. The drop adjustment worked well, and it dropped my small 1/80th lead head jig just fine. 

 

Like  most inlines you get what you pay for. I was kinda disapointed to hear about the radio active pickle reel.....I built a bright green Rod to put one on......guess I won't be now.

Pickle is not worth the money

[Brad Pruismann]

Inline are for sure the easy way to go,  but spend a little more and it is worth it

[leech~~]

22 minutes ago, Brad Pruismann said:

Inline are for sure the easy way to go,  but spend a little more and it is worth it

 

Welcome to the forum Brad.

Any suggestions on a good brand you like?

[rundrave]

I have been pleasantly surprised with Eagle Claw inlines I have 2 of them. Also really happy with No 8 CGI inline reels and have 2 of those also. I use them with everything from super tiny tungsten  to spoons for walleyes. They need to be dialed for each lure but its really simple to do with both reels.

 

Haven't had any issues with either and they are nice and smooth. I will say they help put more fish on the ice. Chasing schools of perch here in SD its makes a difference getting those lures back down quickly and smoothly.

[AlwaysFishing23]

I have used a fair amount of inlines. Clam spooler, clam gravity elite (newest edition to my arsenal), cgi in-line and decent. The gravity elite is a $90 inline but i got a Heck of a deal on Black Friday and only payed $29 for it. So far I’d say it’s not worth $90. $30 is reasonable. It’s ok and worth the $30. The cgi, clam spooler and decent are all really good entry level type inlines and I really enjoy using the. 

[rl_sd]

4 hours ago, rundrave said:

I have been pleasantly surprised with Eagle Claw inlines I have 2 of them. Also really happy with No 8 CGI inline reels and have 2 of those also. I use them with everything from super tiny tungsten  to spoons for walleyes. They need to be dialed for each lure but its really simple to do with both reels.

 

Haven't had any issues with either and they are nice and smooth. I will say they help put more fish on the ice. Chasing schools of perch here in SD its makes a difference getting those lures back down quickly and smoothly.

Do you run the eagle combos or pair them with a different rod?

[Hawg]

I’m with rundave, the cheap Eagle Claws are as good as any of them. I have to add- been there/done that. They can be a PIA if you don’t pay close attention. Mine just sit on the wall rack now. 

[rundrave]

4 hours ago, rl_sd said:

Do you run the eagle combos or pair them with a different rod?

 

I have used them with a little bit of everything. Probably have couple right now spooled up on some HT Blue ultra lights.  Have used them on some cheap Berkeley rods and Walmart specials,  maybe even a st croix medium action etc. I would have to go check my rod case, I am not too picky on rods I just have a lot lol.

[eyeguy 54]

Still love my descents. 

[rl_sd]

28 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

Still love my descents. 

 

Have you ever used the freefall w/ the trigger? Just wondering if the trigger helps or gets in the way

 

[eyeguy 54]

Never have. I pull the line off and keep finger on spool. Works slick

[Rick]

Any pics of your inline reels?

[Wanderer]

On 12/18/2019 at 8:12 AM, eyeguy 54 said:

Still love my descents. 

I have a Clam, Frabil and a One 3 Descent.  The Descent is easily the best of the the three.  I’ve thought about getting a Freefall but can’t imagine I’d ever like another inline way more than the Descent.  Push the button in on the handle and adjust the fall rate.  Really easy sand really smooth.  The drag is fantastic too - I seem to catch at least one pike every outing and it handles them just fine.  The geared retrieve is nice too vs. the 1:1 ratio of the Clam I have.

[eyeguy 54]

I think I like em.

[monstermoose78]

The black Betty is much smoother but the descent is darn good. CGI works but it’s not as smooth.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

On 12/21/2019 at 10:41 PM, eyeguy 54 said:

I think I like em.

 

On 12/21/2019 at 10:41 PM, eyeguy 54 said:

I think I like em.

Thats crazy. Have that same case and did the same thing with the foam. 
 

[BobT]

On 12/17/2019 at 10:15 AM, rundrave said:

I have been pleasantly surprised with Eagle Claw inlines I have 2 of them. Also really happy with No 8 CGI inline reels and have 2 of those also. I use them with everything from super tiny tungsten  to spoons for walleyes. They need to be dialed for each lure but its really simple to do with both reels.

 

Haven't had any issues with either and they are nice and smooth. I will say they help put more fish on the ice. Chasing schools of perch here in SD its makes a difference getting those lures back down quickly and smoothly.

I picked up my first inline last year, Eagle Claw, and so far I like it. The only complaint that I have is that there is no anti-reverse unlock option. I wrote to Eagle Claw to see if they have another model that would include this and at this time they do not. It would be great if they added this option along with the audible clicker it could work a lot like a rattle reel. 

Edited January 6, 2020 by BobT