Ice Fishing Reel

[Keta]

Does anyone know about this type of reel?  If the lakes ever freeze up I want to go ice fishing.

[quang tran]

I bought one similar to that gave to grand kid ,she like it fish with it all the time but not for ice fishing

[sabaman1]

Its called an inline ice fishing reel, great for jigging down in an ice hole. Some are lever actuated on the drop the one you have looks to be button actuated, push the button on the side releases for free spool sometimes depending on the weight of the jig fished you may have to lightly palm the spool to prevent backlash. Takes a little practice.

[natch!]

These inline reels are interesting. I wonder if the concept might someday be applied to saltwater jigging gear.

 Jack

[oc1]

like this?

Search for "underhead jigging reel".  The ergonomics would be great except that a levelwind is almost essential because the fisher cannot easily guide the line back onto the spool.

[steelfish]

These inline reels are interesting. I wonder if the concept might someday be applied to saltwater jigging gear.

 Jack

its already applied to saltwater fishing, check the comment from Steve (OC1).

I actually own a underhead casting reel, not a jigging reel "per se" but it works the same as jigging reel or spinning reel.
check this thread   https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,14610.30.html

[oc1]

Thanks Alex.  I knew there was a thread here somewhere but couldn't find it.

[thorhammer]

Sure. You put a small prop mixer on the nonhandle side and mix a great big Ole Fashion with it, and sip until warm weather.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Sorta like an alvey without a pivot point?

[tincanary]

These are fairly popular where I am, but the most popular is the super simple Schooley, invented right here in Greenville, MI, about 2.5 hours west of me.  While I no longer ice fish, I used Schooley's for many years.  Back in the day the local tackle shops used to sell them for $5.  I'd run two at a time in one hole, and a tip-up for toothy critters in another.

https://www.schooleyicetackle.com/about

https://www.fishusa.com/Schooleys-Spring-Bobber-Pole-Reel-and-Accessories/

The inline reels are catching on, mostly with guys chasing walleye and lake trout, but they still aren't as popular for them as a spinning reel.

[Keta]

Simple and a good price, thanks for the links.

As of now the accessable lakes are too hard to boat on but not hard enough to walk on.

[sabaman1]

Lee, check out the Piscifun website they make some great products. I currently use the Piscifun ICX inline reel for panfish it works great and is a smooth reel. Down here in San Diego we have a lake called Wohlford which is a great crappie and bass lake, the lake has placed an older floating dock out in the the lake well away from the shoreline and cut approximately 12" diameter holes along the edges where you can pull up and tie up the boat to the dock cleats and drop down the holes with jigs and various baits like you would ice fishing. The crappie just love it underneath where it would normally be impossible to fish them without the holes. 

[Maxed Out]

Neat reel Lee. Looking forward to your ice fishing adventures.

Also, FYI for those unfamiliar with NW coast fishing. Underhead reels are very common for saltwater fishing up here, mostly for salmon, but also for shallow bottomfish. I've been using them for salmon fishing for over 30 years. West coast Canada it's all they use(ask hardy boy Todd about Islander reels)

Shimano and Daiwa both make graphite versions of the Underhead saltwater salmon reel for mooching or trolling with downriggers. Single action, direct drive. There is drags, but nothing beyond 6-8# of drag.

[Crow]

Lee, I never had much luck ice fishing, at home in Illinois. I didn't have "power cutter", and by the time I got a hole made, big enough for the boat, I was too worn out to fish!

[Midway Tommy]

Lee, I never had much luck ice fishing, at home in Illinois. I didn't have "power cutter", and by the time I got a hole made, big enough for the boat, I was too worn out to fish!