Reel Choices for Ice Fishing
When if comes to ice fishing, it seems like a lot of folks including myself tend to go "lowball" in the reel area. There are some really cheap ice fishing combos out there and it shows. I've used cheap reels and when nothing is going on , they're fine. When you have a 6 lb. northern thrashing under the hole, they're far less than fine. There's little more annoying than a poorly-made reel that has a drag that tightens up as line is being peeled out. Afterall, if you have 4 lb test line on and there's a 6 lb. northern pulling hard and fast, a drag that tightens up is not good. A lot of folks don't seem to consider drag-quality when buying a reel. They just crank the handle and watch it spin. If it's smooth that's good enough. I on the other hand look for the feel of the drag.
It's a Drag but Still Important
Most reels, when they come out of the box have the drag set very loosely on the spool. You cannot believe how many people never spin the drag to feel it. To spin it, you need to first tighten up the drag knob on either the end of the spool (front of the reel) or the rear knob located on the butt of the reel. Don't tighten it down completely, but do wind it clockwise until you begin to feel some resistance.
Next, grasp the spool betwixt thumb and index finger (both being of the same hand, of course) and while holding the reel by the rod mount with your other hand, give the spool a twist. It should feel smooth, unjerky and resistant to rotating. If it makes a pinging noise or some kind of scritchy sound as it's being spun around, that a good reel to consider. Without the actual noise of the drag playing out, you can't tell what's going on with a big fish pulling hard. A silent drag, like you find a LOT of baitcasting reels is worthless. I used to have customers while guiding who used baitcasters and I could not tell if their drags where allowing the fish to pull line out when the fish wanted it. Top that lack of noise off with a client who is completely deaf to the world and terrified at the same time, and the guide has a hard time telling what's going on. Is the drag too loose or too tight? Is the rod going to splinter on the next run because the reel isn't working and the reeler has no clue as to what should be happening? No noise is not good!
Better quality reels will have good drags that work in the most unfriendly of environments. Cheaper reels may work for a long time just fine, or in my experience on occasion. When I shop for reels, I usually check out the drags, then the smoothness of the crank, and the anti-reverse. Today's reels have a perfect anit-reverse system in there that doesn't allow the reel to turn backwards when you are done cranking. Better quality reels do a better job of this. You do get what you pay for.
The following reels are ultralights that I picked out for their "feel" and features. Tica is a new reel for us this year, and I believe that one really gets a great reel out of this brand. Tica is noted for it's extra ballbearings, and more refined internal engineering.
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Tica Cetus SS500 |
Tica Cetus GV500 |
Tica Cetus LV500 |
The Tica Cetus SS500 spinning reel offers a precision construction that's designed to provide you with reliable smoothness and strength. The computer designed balanced rotor helps to minimize vibration and it's equipped a right/left handle and instant anti-reverse. |
Tica Cetus GV500 Ultra Light Spinning Reel. Features 4 ball bearings plus one roller bearing for instant anti reverse, lightweight corrosion resistant construction, superior line lay, long cast aluminum spool, even flow anti twist line roller with mini bearing, top quality felt washers for a silky smooth drag, computer balanced system, collapsible handle with soft touch knob, 5.2:1 gear ratio. Great Tica quality in a silky smooth ultralite spinning reel with great features. Line capacity of 95 yds. of 4#, 60 yds. of 6#, 50 yds. of 8#. This great reel has all the features of Tica's bigger reels packaged into an ultralite. Very good choice for ice fishing. Gear Ratio: 5.2:1 Note: No longer comes with wooden handle. |
Tica Cetus LF500 Spinning Reel. Features 2 ball bearings plus one roller bearing for instant anti reverse, lightweight corrosion resistant construction, superior line lay, long cast aluminum spool , even flow anti twist line roller with mini bearing, computer balanced system, handle with soft touch knob, 5.2:1 gear ratio. Great Tica quality in a silky smooth ultralite spinning reel with great features. Line capacity of 95 yds. of 4#, 60 yds. of 6#, 50 yds. of 8 Gear Ratio: 5.2 Weight: 6.3 oz Bearings: 2BB+1RB Line Retrieved Handle Turn: 20.5 in |
| This one comes with a spare spool, too! | Excellent middle of the road choice with some of the more premium features | Great, reliable starter reel for many years of service |
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