Anyone use a baitcast reel for ice fishing?

[jbird68]

Been toying around with trying a baitcaster for ice fishng. I have heard that the baitcasters have less line twist but take a little more effort to get your light weight jigs down to your depth. Any thoughts?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Lots of people use them for big gamefish like laketrout or pike. Basicly anytime you will be using heavier line or lures. They dont handle light line or lures well. I think you'd be better off with a light spinning reel for most applications.

[harvey lee]

I have one on my laker rod and it has worked out just fine.

Its a Scotty's custom roberts wrapped baitcasting rod with a 6500 abu.

I would agree for your smaller fish stay with a light spinning reel like a Tica.

[hanson]

They have essentially no line twist but you'll be hand stripping your line off the baitcaster on light jigs. You'll have to really lighten up the spool tension to get the small jigs to drop and I'm not sure if you can lighten it up enough.

So I guess it depends on what you are fishing for. Pike? Sure. Lakers? Definitely. Walleyes? Heavier jigs only. Its not necessary for crappies, perch, most walleye stuff, etc unless you can find a really small baitcaster to use.

[pulsar_nx]

The problem is finding one that is usable in the winter. I've tried a couple of shimanos I think 100 size and yes you need some weight to pull it down or hand strip the line.

I've also tried a cheap little HT baitcaster and if it didn't have such a useless drag and sound like it's full of gravel I'd say it worked pretty good. Defenatly usable on walleyes and crappies with strong enough line.

I wonder if the genz stick baitcaster is any better?

[slipperybob]

I use a Shimano Coriolis 100 with 14 lb Fireline Crystal. I use it for heavier weights like 1/4 oz as well as for deeper water fishing 25'+. For bigger fish, for jiggin spoons, as well as Salmo chubby darter. It's so much faster for depth adjustment of a few inches. I've also used the HT lite baitcast, but it's sooooo cheap that it takes way too much time to unspool line it's not worth the time when the bite is hot. I wish they make some smaller low profile baitcast for ice fishing that are good quality in a 50's series...only in time for now Chronach 50MG over $200. for ice fishing?

[thirtysomething]

I use my baitcaster, once or twice a year. Usually when I'm fishing deep with heavy lures. I like it on Gunflint but if I'm out of the house and hole hopping it'll freeze up on me. I bought one of those mickey mouse line counters you mount on your rod and it doesn't really work. My buddy spent the bucks and bought the one with the built in counter. I don't recall the brand but i really enjoy it when he steps out.

[Lotwfisher]

I use a baitcaster for the winter trout. I take out most of the grease so it dont gum up. I also wrapped any place that touches my hand with white hockey tape. I find that in the cold my gloves freeze to the metal alot. I use as thin of line as I can as the thicker stuff will absorb more ice.