Bucks Mini Reel

[klbowe]

Just curious if anyone enjoys using these reels as much as I do.

They are a miniature casting reel and work great for ice fishing.

They are a blast if you happen to hook a large Northern or Walleye while fishing for Crappie or Perch using light line. There is no need to adjust the drag it is all done by thumb pressure on the spool so you can let them run or haul them in without adjusting a drag. You can instantly apply or remove pressure when fighting a fish.

You do need to remember to keep thumb pressure on the spool during the hook set.

They work great for lowering the bait because there is no line twist you simply strip the line off the reel at the speed the the bait is sinking until to reach your slip bobber and you do not end up with a pile of line on the floor as you may with a spinning reel.

You do not have to open or close bails when changing hooks just strip off the amount of line you need.

You can see them on Cabelas.com

They run about fifteen bucks and can be converted to fish left or right handed.

No I don't sell them I just REALLY enjoy using them.

I think most people shy away from casting reels for ice

fishing because like me they are used to using a spinning reel in the summer.

Try one !

[Dan Thiem]

You bet I use mine ALOT! One of my "GO-TO's"

[Ice-9]

I just bought one at the Richfield Galyan's, which is apparently going out of business. They had them for 9.00 for the reel and 14 for a combo, and then 10% off of that. IT's a south bend product, they had two models. On that topic, I wondered if the drag could be backed down enough to set it up like a tipup, but in tinkering with it it seems that there is still too much resistance at the lowest drag setting. I use casting reels a lot in salt water and enjoy the feeling of control from thumbing a spool.

ice

[klbowe]

I have not thought of using one as a tip-up or dead stick. I suppose it would work but you would have to keep a close eye on it.

[klbowe]

I "think" as you use it you will tend to set the drag light if at all and totally control the drag with your thumb.