A change in technique also brings along a change in fishing equipment. Unlike regular fishing reels, ice fishing reels are ultralight and have more sensitive drag systems. Built to drop the lure instead of sending forth a cast, ice fishing reels are meant to fulfill your cravings right when fishing seems unimaginable. For an adventurous angler, no day is bad for fishing. But for the best ice fishing experience, the equipment has to have your back.

Best Ice Fishing Reels

Eagle Claw In-Line Ice Fishing Reel

Eagle Claw is considered the best amongst inline ice fishing reels. This is owed to the excellent features for a mindblowing price. We advise you to never let low prices fool you. Low prices are not equivalent to low quality. Likewise, hefty prices do not mean good quality. If you are looking for a good performing ice fishing reel that promises success on frozen waters, Eagle Claw is a boon. 

The reel has a nylon frame and weighs about 0.39 Lbs. This reel’s unmatchable smoothness is partly owed to the nylon frame. There is an aluminium handle with a non-slip grip and easy to use along with gloves. The handle can be disassembled and reassembled for appropriate use by right and left-handed anglers. 

The number of ball bearings in Eagle Claw is just five. This causes disappointment in some users because better smoothness could be achieved with a larger number. The gear ratio is low at 2.6:1 to enable high power and challenge the fighting fish ice-cold water fish. The line capacity is 190 Lbs. 

There is a free spool in this reel which can be dropped down the hole without peeling the line manually. The spool can also be adjusted to suit light or heavy jigs. This inline reel is much admired by anglers who consider it extremely efficient for a price as low as 30 dollars!

Pros

• The nylon body of this reel provides added smoothness along with lightweight
• The main purpose of the nylon body is in its inability to freeze in cold weather 
• Even the free spool for this reel is weather-proof and can be confidently used in cold weather 
• There is an A-line clicker in this reel for additional comfort
• The drag capacity of this reel is sufficient to fight stubborn ice water fish 
• The Teflon drag serves the promise of never freezing in cold weather
• The gear ratio is low to enable high power required in tackling fish 
• There is an adjustable aluminium handle which can be modified to suit left or right-handed anglers
• This reel is comfortable to use even with gloves on
• The free spool allows the use of all varieties of baits and jigs
• This reel comes for a very low price 

Cons 

• The ball bearings for this reel are less in number 
• Some anglers find it difficult to disassemble and reassemble the reel for changing the position of the handle 

PENN Pursuit III Spinning Fishing Reel

Here is a great quality multipurpose reel that you can use in freshwater, saltwater, and definitely ice water. The treat is its easily digestible price. This popular reel by this well-acclaimed brand stands true to its name and hold features you’d swear by.

The gear system is amongst the smoothest you’ll ever come across. The gear ratio is high at 6.2:1 and enables high speed of retrieval. The material of construction is corrosion-resistant graphite. Graphite is a strong and lightweight material that is commonly used for making ice fishing reels. The drag system is HT-100 and effective smoothness is provided by the five shielded ball bearings. 

An excellent feature of this reel is the instant anti-reverse system. This allows anglers to forego every back play. The durable design of this spinning reel under the banner of a reputable brand is set to create wonders on your ice fishing expeditions. This reel is proof that good quality doesn’t have to necessarily come at a high price. The brand also offers a good warranty period for this reel. The six available sizes of this reel are all suited to specific species of fish that you must choose from. 

Pros

• This good quality and high performing reel comes at a very affordable price 
• The excellent line capacity and the high-speed gear ratio make this reel capable of fighting the toughest ice water fish
• This reel is lightweight at 0.61 lbs. and is made of corrosion-resistant graphite
• One excellent feature of this reel is its ability to thrive and function well in all sorts of environments be it saltwater, freshwater, or ice
• This reel is well-known for its durability and unmatchable performance
• This reel has a supremely powerful HT-100 drag system which makes its one of a kind in the realm of ice fishing reels
• The five ball bearings are shielded as a protection against corrosion 
• The brand is reputable and offers a good warranty
• This reel is very capable for its low price 

Cons 

• Some users report that this reel is heavier than other comparable ice fishing reels in the same range

Piscifun ICX 5 Ice Fishing Reel 

If your target fish is trout, there is nothing better than the Piscifun ICX 5 ice fishing reel. Built with graphite to enable light-weightedness and strength, this reel is easy to handle and tough for the fish. 

Weighing at 0.39 Lbs. This reel has a gear ratio of 5.2:1 and a line capacity of up to 140 yards. Both these features make it very effective in catching tough fish like trout. There is a quick folding handle in this reel to enhance portability. Superior performance is aided by an instant anti-reverse feature. 

The spool for this reel is oversized and the line doesn’t get needlessly coiled on itself. The spool is made of aluminium and is water-resistant. The line capacity is even more effective because of the efficient line management system. Even the front drag system is comfortable and easy to adjust. The power of the drag is tremendous to battle trout. This reel is also easy to operate while wearing winter gloves. 

Pros 

• This reel is budget-friendly and offers great features at a very low price
• The working of this reel is very smooth and it is very able to land the trout it is meant for 
• The design of the reel is compact
• The material of construction is graphite which renders it lightweight
• The quick-fold handle makes portability easy 
• The gear ratio enables both high power and high retrieval speed
• There are about six balls bearing that offer gliding smoothness to this reel
• The line capacity is large keeping with the tough fish to be landed with this reel 
• The instant anti-reverse feature makes it even easier to operate

Cons 

• This reel can only be used in freshwater, not saltwater

Make Sure Your Ice Fishing Reel Has These Important Features

The criteria for a good ice fishing reel is different from regular fishing reels. One must know which type of reel they’d prefer for ice fishing. The reels also change with the selected target fish. The body design, bearings, and gear ratio of the ice fishing reel must be appropriate. A challenge accepting line capacity and resistance to freezing will add glory to your already happening fishing expedition. 

Select the Right Type of Ice Fishing Reel for Yourself

Three varieties of ice fishing reels are available: InLine, Spinning, and Baitcasting reels. It is relatively easier to master ice fishing on spinning reels than on inline and baitcasting reels. All ice fishing reels will be stronger than the average reels used in freshwater and saltwater. 

Spinning reels have a front drag system and are predominantly used to catch the larger species of fish. Inline reels are preferred for jigging because of their ability to not spin during the act. Unlike spinning reels, the spool buttons on inline reels can be easily controlled with gloved hands. In case you are looking for an ice fishing reel that fits your budget, inline reels are the most affordable reels for this purpose. 

The baitcasting reels are considered difficult by new anglers but allow incomparably smooth cranking when utilized. The newer models of baitcasting reels are not heavy like the previous ones. With easy to operate handles on the side and the absence of the need of casting, these are as much used by anglers as the other types of ice fishing reels. Experts recommend spinning reels for beginners, inline reels for those who prefer comfortable reels, and baitcasting reels for large fish species. 

Gather Enough Knowledge About the Type of Fish and Their Behavior

It is important to know how many inches of ice is safe to fish in and which variety of fish can be found at a particular depth at a certain time. It is recommended to fish in areas that have at least 4-6 inches of ice. It wouldn’t be safe to move around in areas with lesser amounts of ice. Suspend your bait at the maximum depth available and keep a track of the fish that can only be caught at particular times in the winter season. 

Pay Attention to the Body Design of Your Ice Fishing Reel

The fishing equipment for ice fishing is broadly different from the regular one. The fishing rods are shorter than average and so the reels are also smaller and lighter in weight. Out of the three main types of ice fishing reels, spinning reels tend to be the smallest in size. 

Look for Enough Number of Bearings 

Ball bearings are essential to ensure the smooth functioning of your fishing reel. They reduce the friction between the moving parts of the reel and help it run smoothly. More number of ball bearings will mean a smoother function. Make sure that your ice fishing reel has a minimum of five ball bearings. 

Your Reel Must Have the Appropriate Gear Ratio

For an ice fishing reel, an acceptable gear ratio is around 5.1:1. This is because these reels are meant to offer optimum retrieval speed along with maximum power. It is ideal to have an ice fishing reel that allows small adjustments in its drag and has a good amount of drag power. 

Pay Attention to the Material of the Reel

The material of construction is very integral to the quality of the reel. Graphite is considered to be the best material for ice fishing reels because it is very lightweight and strong at the same time. The other commonly used material is carbon fiber. There are various other antifreeze features in these reels that also include foam handles.

Ice cold temperatures can result in locking of the fishing reels. There are specific freeze-resistant materials meant to solve this problem. Shops often recommend anti-freeze sprays to minimize the freezing of your equipment. 

Make Sure That Your Reel’s Line Capacity Is Sufficient 

The most widely used ice fishing lines are either monofilament or fluorocarbon. This is because monofilament is strong and durable and is relatively easy to control in freezing environments. Fluorocarbon lines have an added advantage of sinking faster than monofilament lines. 

Conclusion

While all the above reels have their own merits and demerits, all of them are nonetheless the best in their respective categories. The Eagle Claw inline fishing reel has a lesser number of ball bearings and there is a struggle in correcting the position of its handle. Even then, the good qualities of this reel are far more in number and come at a very affordable price. 

PENN Pursuit III is considered slightly heavier than other reels but is unmatchable in the wide array of features it has to offer. Likewise, the only demerit of Piscifun ICX 5 is its inability to be used in saltwater.

Considering the excellent performance rendered by all the above reels in ice fishing, one of them is set to be a part of your best ice fishing equipment. Drop and wait for your warm lunch to show up. Let your winning reel make your adventures more smooth.