Is may sound crazy to some, but ice fishing is awesome.
However, all that fun and excitement that ice fishing brings comes to a screeching halt if you don’t have the right equipment.
One such vital piece of equipment is a good ice fishing reel.
A faulty reel not only will cost you some fish, but it will definitely take the joy out of ice fishing.
In this post, we will present some of the best reels for ice fishing. In fact, we will present our top 11 options.
So let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
What is the best ice fishing reel?
Here is a quick preview of what we think to be the top 11 reels for ice fishing:
- 13 Fishing Black Betty Freefall
- Eagle Claw In Line
- TICA SS500 Cetus Trout Fishing Series
- Celsius Blizzard Spinning Reel
- H.T. Enterprises Accucast Spinning Reel
- 13 Fishing Descent
- Fiblink® InlineReel
- Ellen Archery Inline Ice reel
- KastKing Centron 500
- Abu Garcia IceMax
For a more in-depth look at each reel as well as great videos, please continue reading….
13 Fishing Black Betty Freefall
Features:
- Aluminum Body
- Gear Ratio: 2.5:1
- 4 stainless steel ball bearings
- Carbon Drag
- Freefall trigger
Does the 13 Fishing Black Betty Freefall have what it takes to be considered the best?
We think it just might and after reading about all the great features this reel has to offer, we think you will feel the same.
It is made of a durable aluminum body with a smooth cork drag system. It has a gear ratio of 2.5:1.
The best feature is the free fall trigger system. Once you pull the trigger the spool goes into a free spin mode.
Located right behind the reel is the tension spool which will allow you to adjust how fast the bait falls. Once you let go of the trigger the reel is engaged and you can begin your retrieval.
This unique feature really sets it apart from the competition and helps to get your lure at the desired depth very quickly.
Learn more about the 13 Fishing Black Betty Freefall in the following video:
Eagle Claw In Line
Features:
- Nylon body and spool
- Free spool release button
- Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
One of the best inline ice fishing reels on the market is the Eagle Claw In Line Ice Reel. This reel is has a nylon body and spool, making it very durable to withstand cold fishing conditions.
One feature that really makes this reel stand out from the rest is the free spool release button.
With a push of a button and the reel goes into a free spin, completely removing the drag. This feature is great for ice fishing. It allows you to easily drop a very light lure down the fishing hole without the dreaded line twist.
This reel has a 2.6:1 gear ratio meaning it will bring in about 15.75 inches of line per crank.
This reel comes set up for a left-handed retrieval, but can very easily be switched to a right-handed.
Learn how to switch from left-hand inline reel to a right-hand inline reel in the video found here.
Watch the video below to learn more about the Eagle Claw In-Line:
Enjoy reading: Can I use my baitcasting reel for ice fishing?
TICA SS500 Cetus
Features:
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
- 6 ball bearings
Many would say that the TICA SS500 Cetus Trout Fishing Series is the best ice fishing reel and I would have a hard time disagreeing with them.
Weighing in at 6.3 ounces this reel may appear to be tiny, but don’t let that fool you. It is a very rugged, well-balanced and yet super smooth reel.
Equipped with 6 precision ball bearings gives it a nice silky smooth drag as well as 1 mini roller bearing giving it that instant anti-reverse feature. It also has a nice gear ratio of 5.2:1.
The best part is this reel isn’t limited to catching small fish, but you can catch larger fish with is such as walleye and trout.
Celsius Blizzard
Features:
- Elongated yoke for easy handling
- 4 ball bearings
- Anti-free lubrication
Warm gloves are essential when out on the ice, but gloves can very cumbersome while trying to hold onto a small fishing rod and reel.
The Celsius Blizzard Spinning Reel was designed with ice fishermen in mind. As you can see from the above photo this reel has an elongated yoke.
This feature makes it much easier to hold onto while still keeping your hands toasty warm.
Made from a very durable aluminum this reel was built to last under the harshest fishing conditions. It also contains anti-free lubrication meaning you will no longer need to worry about your reel seizing up while on the water.
This reel also contains an infinite anti-reverse feature as well as 4 ball bearings, giving it a very smooth drag.
H.T. Enterprises Accucast
Features:
- 2 ball bearings
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
Another great spinning ice fishing reel is the H.T. Enterprises Accucast.
Like the Celsius Blizzard it also has a longer yoke so you can still fish with your gloves on. The body is made from a very strong graphite.
It is equipped with 2 ball bearings giving it that much desired liquid-smooth drag as well as an infinite anti-reverse feature.
Standard comes with a left-handed retrieve, but can easily be switched.
13 Fishing Descent
Features:
- 5 stainless steel bearings
- Graphite/fiberglass frame
- Gear Ratio: 2.7:1
- Freefall dial
Are you tired of your ice fishing line coiling up every time you go to drop a lure down the hole?
If so, you need to start fishing with an inline reel. However, one concern you might have is that these reels tend to be a little pricey.
Well, you will be pleased to know that 13 fishing has come out with a very affordable inline reel it is the 13 Fishing Descent.
First, let’s talk about the price. This inline reel runs almost half the price of the previously mentioned Black Betty. If you are looking to save a few bucks this is definitely the model to check out.
What about the features? Did they make a lot of sacrifices to drop the price?
Let’s talk about the features.
The 13 Fishing Descent is made with a graphite/fiberglass frame making it extremely lightweight and thus easy to attach to your rod.
It has a good gear ratio of 2.7:1.
It also features a freefall dial allowing you to control how fast the lures drops. In addition, it has a dead stick alarm. This is a nice feature for those that don’t have any tip ups or you don’t like using tip ups.
Simply put some bait on your line, drop it down, put on the alarm and it will start screaming when you have a fish.
Take a closer look in the following video:
Fiblink Inline
Features:
- 4+1 ball bearings
- Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
- Weight: 5.8 ounces
Another great inline ice reel is the Fiblink® Inline Reel.
This reel is ultralight. It only weighs 5.8 ounces making it extremely easy and comfortable to handle while on the ice. It has a good gear ratio of 2.6:1. It is equipped with 4 +1 Ball bearing making the drag silky smooth.
The line capacity for this reel is 4/45, 2/110 and 1/270.
If you haven’t fished with an inline fishing reel before, this is a great one to start fishing with.
PFLUEGER Monarch Ice
Features:
- Graphite frame
- 5 ball bearing
A reel that was designed to withstand the toughest ice fishing conditions is the Pflueger Monarch Ice.
This reel is made with a graphite frame and an aluminum spool making it super lightweight. It has a good amount of gear ratio.
The 5 ball bearing set up ensures you will have a smooth retrieval every time.
The high spin free spool feature is designed to make it easy to drop the smallest of ice fishing lures. It is also equipped with an instant anti-reverse feature.
It is available in both left-handed as well as right-handed models.
Ellen Archery Inline Reel
Features:
- 8+1 Ball Bearings
- Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
- Weight: 220 grams
- Anti-Corrosion treatment
To conclude this list, let’s take a look at Ellen Archery’s take on an inline reel.
As you can see from the picture above, the look of this thing will definitely get some looks. However, when out on the ice, looks mean very little. It is all about durability.
And that is exactly what this inline ice reel is all about. Durability. It is made will all-aluminum but has an anti-corrosive treatment in order to prevent rust.
It features 8+1 ball bearings. Yes, you read that correctly 9 ball bearings are in this thing, making it run super smooth.
Last it is equipped with a super smooth free spool feature as well as a gear ratio of 2.6:1.
KastKing Centron 500 Spinning Reel
Features:
- Graphite Frame
- Ball Bearings: 9+1
- Maximum Drag:17.5
Number ten on my list is the KastKing Centron 500.
I like this option a lot because not only is it extremely lightweight (perfect for ice fishing), but it is relatively inexpensive. Making it tempting not to buy just one, but maybe a few of them.
Let’s take a look at some of its features.
First, it is made with a sharp-looking graphite frame. The graphite frame help to protect it from corrosion, but it also keeps it lightweight and easy to handle.
Next, it is equipped with 9 ball bearings and one anti-reverse ball bearing. With this many ball bearings, you can be confident that every time you give it a crank, it is going to be a smooth crank.
Lastly, let’s talk about the drag. This ultralight spinning reel has a whopping drag of 17.5. That is a huge amount from such a small little reel.
With the above mentioned, what can we say about the KastKing Centron 500. Well, not only is it a great option for the ice, but it also makes a great freshwater spinning reel as well.
Abu Garcia IceMax
Features:
- Graphite body
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Line Retrieve: 22.5 inches
- Ball Bearings: 3+1
- Maximum Drag 6.6 pounds
- Cold gear lube
- EverLast Bail System
Number 11 on the list is the Abu Garcia IceMax.
Like other spinning reels, the Ice Max is also made with a graphite body, keeping it lightweight and durable.
One feature that really stands out is the everlast bail system.
If you are like me and are tired of spending time bending bails back into place then this might be the best option for you.
In addition, as you can see from the picture above, it has an extended reel stem, allowing extra room for wearing gloves.
Now that we have talked a little bit about the build, let’s talk about the specs.
The IceMax features a 5.2:1 gear ratio bringing in about 22.5 inches per crank. It has a maximum drag for 6.6 pounds, enough for ice fishing and ultralight fishing as well.
Lastly, it is equipped with cold lube ensuring that it won’t seize up during those cold months on the water.
So…What is the best reel for ice fishing?
Much of it depends on your needs and preferences. As far as choosing a reliable fishing reel, you can’t go wrong with any of the aforementioned reels.
However, with that being said, I really like the 13 Fishing Black Betty.
Share with us your favorite ice fishing reel in the comments below.
(If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also enjoy reading: What is the best ice fishing line? )
Check out the following links all about our favorite sport, ice fishing:
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