In-line reels for crappie

Was at L&M yesterday and bought an in-line 13 fishing reel. I usually use a spinning reel for jigging but thought I would try an in-line reel. Hopefully get away from the jig spinning once you drop it down. Usually fish in 15-30 feet of water. Any tips on using an in-line would be very appreciated. I bought the 13 Black Betty Carbon. L&M has 25% off fishing stuff right now. Picked up the BlackBetty for $75, and they had the Okuma Ceymar CBF-100 baitfeeder for $37 with the discount. The Okuma sells for about $70 normal price. They even had a few 2B fishing rods that would have been about $65 but nothing in stock that I was looking for.

I use a couple of the same reels and don’t really have any specific tips for you. I love using them for crappies in the 20-30 foot range. I use 2 pound clear line on mine and tie my 4mm tungsten glow jigs on using a loop knot so they always hang horizontal in the water and I don’t have to adjust the knot after each fish. When I’m a good school of fish and they’re aggressive I’ve been switching to a small glow Slab Rap and it seems to help me pick off the bigger fish in the school and avoid the small ones. No bait on either setup, just a glow plastic in red or charteruse on the jig and fish the Slab Rap bare. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips. Because of my old tired eyes I need cheaters to see up close, so I normally have a noknot on my lines so I can change baits without having to re-tie when I wanted to change bait. The noknot should work the same as a loop knot I would think.

The only tip I have is to watch your electronics as your bait falls. You will want to slow down or stop you bait before you hit the bottom. The line comes off so fast the spool will keep spinning creating a mess.

Rodwork is right, assuming you’re right handed, and wind with your left, make sure you keep your little finger on the Spool very lightly, but keep it on there.

3rdtryguy wrote:

Rodwork is right, assuming you’re right handed, and wind with your left, make sure you keep your little finger on the Spool very lightly, but keep it on there.

Forgive me if I am wrong but the Black Betty comes with the trigger release so you can control how fast the bait falls and stop it in an instant. At least the ones I own have that feature.

John Rasmussen wrote:

Forgive me if I am wrong but the Black Betty comes with the trigger release so you can control how fast the bait falls and stop it in an instant. At least the ones I own have that feature.

The free fall has a trigger. Not the other one. It sounds like there are multiple models from 13 with the black betty name.

I have the 13 Descent in-line reel (budget reel) that I have used two seasons now. I absolutely love it with a “noodle” rod. The free fall is so much better than a standard spinning real when using a tungsten jig. I have reeled up some nice pannies and a 3 pound bass with out issue.

I have mine set pretty fast, and I usually keep my finger on or very near the wheel as it releases line … I can apply slight pressure to slow or stop the line release. I like that level of control vs. using the handle.

Yes I have had birds nests a few times. The Descent wheel pops off and you can de-nest pretty quickly. Have not had a mess requiring I cut the line and retie a lure.

Scheels has the 13 Black Betty inline reel for $59. Not sure if there are sub-models.

It appears with the 13 Descent reel … that the reel sold individually is different (markedly better) than the reel sold in a rod & reel combo. The reel on the combo has different colors, but I can tell you these reels (on the combo) that I have tested in stores are not what I am using now. If it is the same or they have down graded parts – then what the heck. Just purchased another 13 descent packaged individually – will know more when it arrives.

Thanks to all for the tips. Hopefully will get out this weekend to try it out. Weather temps sound good for the weekend with little wind.

Got a chance to use the inline reel this weekend. Got to say I really liked it. When using with my flasher it was a breeze to drop the jig right where you wanted it. A lot easier than my spinning reels. My in-line reel has the magnets and I didn’t have any bird’s nest which was nice. After looking at another post talking about the minnow pro spoon so I tried one I had. Was excellent advice as I caught a couple nice crappies and blue gill on it. Thinking I might change over another pole from a spinning reel to an inline.