Eagle Claw In Line Reel Testimonial

I have enjoyed my EC in line reel this year, mostly in 20-30 fow. Manley catching 10-14 inch crappies. Not much of a drag test. Buttttt yesterday the drag got a full work out. My neighbor and I where fishing with some friends in 30 foot of water, I noticed a big red mark at around 14 foot and reeled up to it. WAM and it was game on. Yelled at the neighbor to start pulling lines, he managed to get one line out of five out of the way. So for 20+ minutes we watched my line and the 4 others wrapped around it down in the hole. Finally I got a look at the tail end and said it isn’t a northern I think its a musky. A few minutes go by and neighbor like any good fishing partner plays it down and says he saw it and it’s a carp (I knew better LOL). About 5 minutes later the head is right underneath the hole and was as wide as the 8 inch hole. Not just a MUSKY but a supper hog. After failed attempt with the gaff that pig was not allowing second attempt and pulled loose of the little tungsten jig. Oh how badly I wanted a picture of that hog. Even if we got that head thru the hole I am not sure the body would have followed.

So to put this to a end. 4 lb. fire line, Chekai tungsten jig Crappie minnow did not make it) and Eagle Claw in line reel (wish I could have added TUC rod but that will be addition next year already over budget this year ($1500.00 plus)) did one bang up job for almost a half hour. The star drag adjustment on these reels is so nice while battling big fish, way easier than trying to get to drag adjustment on open face reel. I never had to take my hand off the crank to make a adjustment. I don’t know how many runs we had but the drag did it’s job.

I know there are improvements that can be made but but in lines are defiantly going to be part of my arsenal now and in the future.

Just wish we would have at least took a picture down the hole.

I’m glad you missed it with the gaff! You know Muskie season isn’t open right?

Does that argument even hold water?
So its ok to not get your stuff back but it is ok to use a super huge treble hook in summer to punch a hole in its mouth?

Congrats on the adrenaline rush!

Yes Tim I know the season is not open. But we where not looking to to gaff it to kill it or destroy it just wanted jig back and maybe a bonus picture and back down the hole it would go. and just to save time we had 2 other augers there with 10 inch augers on them it would have fit to release.

there’s always one guy who has his undies in a bunch. Sure would have been a fish of a lifetime, and a very cool story.

No undies bunched up here. I just think that using a gaff is a really easy way to wreck it’s gills. Also when I put the big treble hooks to them in the summer the fight only lasts about 10-30seconds. Not a half hour on crappie gear.

I bet you walk on water too!

Wow maybe I shouldn’t have shared the story and kept that part for only friends. I really wanted to put out info on how the new concept reel held up to about the toughest fishing that it was going to go up against where I fish. My bad.

don’t mind that guy who calls himself a reporter, he is the official IDO buzz killer. You have a great story and product review.

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don’t mind that guy who calls himself a reporter, he is the official IDO buzz killer. You have a great story and product review.

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Hahaha! I never asked to be a reporter. Glad the EC is working should be even better stuff coming for next year

back the the EC inline reel…finally got a chance to use mine this weekend alot, didn’t get a chance to reel anything in, but the free spool and reel action is very nice! I know the drag is a work in progress on these reels, so hopefully they can get the bugs out next year..

I bought two. One for me and one for a friend. I have used mine maybe 3 times. Works fine but its hard to convert.
The other one was faulty right out of the box so had to return it.

If you’re used to using good spinning or fly reels for ice fishing then I would stay away from this reel. And by good I mean $50 range reel like an Okuma SLV or Shimano Sedona, not great but above average.

Think of how nice reels are very smooth reeling with smooth drags and feel like good quality, well made machines.

Now think of the exact opposite and that is my best way to describe the EC inlines. Great theory and concept behind them but they feel like cheap plastic toys. I used one for 2 days and got rid of it the first chance I had.

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If you’re used to using good spinning or fly reels for ice fishing then I would stay away from this reel. And by good I mean $50 range reel like an Okuma SLV or Shimano Sedona, not great but above average.

Think of how nice reels are very smooth reeling with smooth drags and feel like good quality, well made machines.

Now think of the exact opposite and that is my best way to describe the EC inlines. Great theory and concept behind them but they feel like cheap plastic toys. I used one for 2 days and got rid of it the first chance I had.

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I do not totally disagree with you. They have a long way to go and not just EC. It is the concept I like. The free spool the ability to control the speed of the drop by feathering the edge of the spool and the star drag adjustment.

These are cheaply made reels and I didn’t have high expectations from a Eagle claw product. The beginning of the year these where assumed to be the newest and greatest thing and fizzled out quickly. Also I have not saw a post anywhere else about how one did when put to the test on a true fight against a strong fish.

I am looking forward to seeing improvements but I like the concept and not expecting everyone to feel the same. Thats why Ford and Chevrolet are still in business.

Thanks for sharing and feel free to use your gaf how you see fit

Can’t blame it on line-twist …can we!

I purchased 4 Eagle Claw reels this year and added 2 Black Betty 6061 models. I have not used a spinning reel this year. I love the inlines and don’t see myself going back. I have put countless crappies on the ice with these. I have added a shanty full of perch from 37 feet of water. I followed that up with a few ciscos (not from shallow water) and just got back from Green Bay where they handled the whitefish without issue. I have paired the reels with TB Quiversticks, Sweethearts, and Power Noodles. I have not tangled with, but witnessed my buddy with a 30+ northern and no problems with that. They are great reels and if anyone doesn’t want theirs, I will take them off your hands. I can always use back up reels.

Bones

I also have several of each EC and 6061’s! Not much comparison between them however. The 6061 is about as smooth as silk and the drag also seems less jerky. I did take both them apart as I do with every reel I own. The factory grease and oil was removed. I used a synthetic milcom lubricant that makes them far smoother. I also tweaked a few things to tighten up the EC handle and retrieve.
I decided after use the EC’s would be deadstick/minnow rods and the. 6061’s my bread n butter rigs. I made my own sticks with Powell and MHX blanks. Nothing I toyed with commercially or custom is better anyhow. The best line setup I found was a berkley nano 4# main to a swivel and a 4# seaguar fluro leader.
Friends and friends kids will be receiving a bunch of my spinning ice rod setups now. I also find after use and experiment the inline’s to be more effective. They take time to get used to however! Just like anything new on the market, they will rapidly get better. I’m now fully on board especially with the 13 fishing line of reels. Hopefully shimano will get in this game and up the performance level.

I had three 6061’s and two of the EC and I found the EC in-lines to have a slightly less horrible drag. I sold them all but have been fishing frequently with the person that bought them from me and he concurred, he wound up keeping the eagle claws and selling the 6061’s.

I also sold all of my EC and BB 6061 except for one of each as I still use them. The reason for selling is because I believe due next year there are likely going to be tweaks and updates to where these reels are going to even be better then before…

Gotta love baitcasters style ice fishing for big fish fights.