In Line Ice fishing reels?

For you guys that fish in line reels do you tend to pull line out to adjust depths or use some sort of free spool on the reel? Not sure if they even have free spool on the in line reels. The old Mardo Im using Ive always pulled line out of the reel. Dont think I could go back to flipping bails on a spinning reel. For finer depth adjustments it nice just being able to reel the reel a turn or two one way or the other for up or down. The old mardo is going on 15 years or more now and due for replacement.

Mike,

Many of the newer inline reels do have a free spool. You just have to adjust the tension when changing jig sizes. Much like a bait caster.

FDR

I am using the Fabril version of inline ice fishing rod/reel. I generally have tension set low and just pull the line out from the end of the rod when getting set up and after that, turn the handle to let some additional line out or in. It has really eliminated a lot of the twist up that I used to have to have with the spinning reel, but one does still have some hang-ups due to ice freezing which is principally why I pull the line out the end of the rod instead of using the reel to let out line to set up.

For some reason Im just used to stripping the line out the end of the reel. Seems a lot simpler than free spooling or flipping a bail and trying to get line out.

I’ve got the EC inline; good reel, ice up is an issue at times but I generally just push the free spool button and loosen the drag. On my spinning reels there is no need to flip bails, just turn on anti-reverse and back reel some line off.

I started a thread on the in line reels about a month ago…. then finally got one, the Eagle Claw. I have 4 pound mono on it, as that is what I had here when it came. Used it the first time for crappies the other night, and really liked it. No spinning little jigs. Super smooth and I liked not messing with a bale.

I tried the free spool, and with the lightest of small jigs, if I set it light enough to just drop, it never felt right. I tightened it up just a little and stripped line off (and liked that method as I could keep up with the fall rate no problem). I tied on a small rattle spoon, and the free spool did exactly what it was intended to. Long story short, I loved the reel, and for like $25, I’m even more happy.

Some day I’ll get a better rod to go with it…. and feel like a king on the ice.

I’ve got the Eagle Claw free-spool and the other one that you have to strip line off of. I like the line strip one but I love the free-spool. It will free-spool on the lightest jig I have. Mine was the $45 model which has the metal spool instead of the composite spool. My thinking was that the composite might warp and affect the free-spooling ease.

I have to admit I had an issue with the free-spool not fully engaging when the crank was turned. I contacted the company in Denver and they replied within 24 hrs and told me to send it in and they would either repair it or replace it. One week from the day I mailed it, it was returned repaired. Good customer service

Got my first inline on the way. Got the tony roach eagle claw. Excited to give it a try.

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Got my first inline on the way. Got the tony roach eagle claw. Excited to give it a try.

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You’ll like it I got one for my Father in law for x mas. I was thinking he’d hate being old school never ever change a thing. But nope He won’t give it up for the world now

I liked mine until it fell apart on me. What a pile of crap.

The 2 versions of Eagle Claw Inlines I use have a free spool feature that drops small jigs with ease. It’s a very nice feature to have!

I have the Eagle Claw and after using it love it. Compared to my fishing partner who was using a spinning reel, mine would drop my bait 60ft much faster when we were going for whitefish. I keep the tension minimal and watch my bait on my electronics and use my hand to stop the spool. I keep the rod high and reel down to adjust lure depth. I caught several more whitefish compared to him, and at least some of it was due to me getting my lure back down sooner.

Okay. You guys got me intrigued about the free spool. Might have to give it a try. Having only stripped line off a spool thats all I know. In shallow water stripping line is not that big of deal. Deeper water free spool might be a nice option.

Stripping line is all I’ve ever done as well. Of course I rarely fish water in excessive of 15′ being on the river.
My first in-line was a cheaper Cahill 4/5/6. Wasn’t completely “sold” on in-lines during the rush a few years back and didn’t want to spend big $ on a fad. Heck, manufactures (Frabill, Black Betty, Clam, Eagle, etc..) did not even offer an in-line targeting the ice fishing market back then.

I put a bobber stop on my line to mark the bottom. The bobber stop I am talking about is just a real small piece of rubber,comes in black and red,not as big as a head of a match,shaped like a foot ball. Works great. To make sure that you do not reel up to far,and stay in the depth you want.

I’ve made the switch to in-lines completely over the last few seasons. They’re just so much easier.
Personally, I like the old-style, without a free spool, where you just peel line off the reel. But, beginning this year, Frabill has a free-spool model as well. They’re 101 is no frills, no free spool. Their new 261 is a much faster reel with a free spool, star drag, etc. It’s got a long yoke and a synthetic back to prevent your hand from getting cold when you palm the reel. I was amazed at how fast it took up line compared to my 101. For water deeper than 8 feet, its the way to go. Check it out.