Inline Reel Impressions

One of my little spinning reels that I use for ice fishing was damaged due to a fall. So I decided that it was time to buy a new ice reel. I typically struggle with coaxing panfish so I decided that I would get an inline reel. Inline reels are known for not having any line twist and I thought that slightest bit of advantage might help. So I pulled the trigger and got myself a 13 Fishing Black Betty Ghost.

While there is some appeal to an inline reel, there are things that took a while to get used to. In this post, I’ll explain what makes the inline reel feel so different from a spinning reel.

Acquisition

On average an inline reel is higher than a spinning reel. Generally most models will run close to $100 CAD while you can obtain a serviceable spinning reel for half the price. Though that’s not the biggest deal as if you’re considering an inline reel, you’re likely a hardcore ice angler who is willing to spend.

Inline reels are also only made for either right or left handed people, the handle cannot be switched. Not a huge deal generally but it could be an issue when a store is low on stock.

Something to note is that inline reels have no utility outside of ice fishing. Spinning reels can be transferred to open water setups so you can get more value out of them. An inline reel has no ability to cast, it is purely designed to go up and down. That is also something to think about before buying an ice reel.

There is a concern that inline reels have low gear ratios compared to spinning reels. I found that this isn’t too much a concern though since inline reels have a larger diameter than a spinning reel. Most models have a 2:1 ratio which does offer a pickup rate similar to a small spinning reel.

Usage

This is the section that people will be interested in. Like any new piece of equipment, you should figure out what each feature does before getting on the ice.

Drag

You should be familiar with how the drag works. If you ever used a baitcasting reel, you’ll find that it’s essentially the same style of star drag. One thing that did surprise me was knowing which way to turn the drag. I typically retrieve right handed on a baitcasting reel but on an inline I retrieve on the left (I’m a right handed person). This is a source of confusion as on my baitcasters, I tighten the drag by rotating clockwise. Since the drag is on the left side of the inline reel in my case, I had to learn to turn anti-clockwise to tighten.

Like a baitcaster, the drag is also silent. I do use baitcasters on a regular basis so I’m familiar with this concept. For those who only have experience with spinning, this may feel strange. However it should be pretty clear your drag is peeling out regardless if there’s sound or not. Definitely doesn’t sound as exciting compared to the hookset on a spinning reel but it gets the job done.

Spool Tension

If you’re familiar with a baitcaster, you should know about this concept. Essentially if the spool spins faster than the line can pay out, you will get a backlash. Spool tension adjustment ensures that a lure dropping on freefall does not cause the reel to overrun.

Generally the best practice I use (also with baitcasters) is to test it out of the water. Let your lure freefall slowly so that the spool shouldn’t spin too fast. The more tension applied, the slower the lure falls and it decreases the chance of overrunning. Less tension will allow the lure to fall faster but the user needs to disengage free spool quickly before the lure hits the ground. It took a little while to figure out the appropriate tension settings but I found a setting I liked.

Fishing Tips

Assuming the tension is set properly, all you need to do is to hold the freespool trigger and let the lure fall to the bottom. Once at the desired depth, just let go of the trigger. Whatever you do, do not pull line out hard and fast while in freespool. That is a surefire way to get a backlash. It is something that spinning reel users need to get used to doing.

Now if you have to pull lots of line out quickly for some reason, I would recommend putting you finger on the spool while peeling line in freespool. That way the spool cannot overrun once you stop pulling line out. Alternatively you can utilize the drag and pull line out.

Sometimes after catching a fish, line might dig into the spool, especially braided line. Sometimes when fishing outside, ice chunks might cause uneven peeling. This will sometimes cause the line to get stuck in the spool when dropping the lure. In those moments, you need to gently pull the line out so the lure can continue descending. Pulling too hard will result in a backlash. Again you can use your finger to apply tension on the spool while pulling out.

Benefits and When to Use One

The number one reason why people buy inlines is simply how it handles line. Spinning reels have a bail which winds a spool unnaturally. Inlines essentially wind the line directly onto the spool like a winch. Due to the larger spool diameter, it reduces the coils in the line that normally forms on spinning reels.

Due to the design of the freespool trigger and tension adjustment, one can effectively customize how fast a lure drops and the exact moment a lure stops falling. With a spinning reel, your lure will drop as fast as the lure allows.

It does seem like a trivial difference that doesn’t matter to most ice anglers, some hardcore ice anglers will use every advantage they can get when it comes to finesse fishing. Not having line twist or coils allows the angler to present the lure as naturally as possible and have full control.

Being able to customize the drop speed can really help with finicky fish. One tactic to get a fish to bite on the electronics is to drop below it, especially if it loses interest when chasing upwards. A lure that drops too fast could potentially spook the fish. A slow descent could be the thing that triggers a reaction from the fish. Since you only need one hand to let line out, it may be a bit more convenient compared to a spinning reel.

My Thoughts

This is my first season using one so I am far from an expert at using one. However I did catch fish with it so I can say I have some things to share.

There is a learning curve to it that takes time to learn. Do not expect that you can use it instantly out of the box. There are many weird quirks with inline reels that spinning reel users will face. Having baitcasting reel experience is an asset.

Personally I really find that my light setups can really benefit from the inline reel. One of the challenges I have is making perch and crappies bites. I will take every little advantage I can get to make one bite. Since they are very finicky fish, the lure must be presented as naturally as possible.

Overall, I can’t really say there is a massive difference in success. I will keep my inline and continue to master it. However after everything I’ve said, I would recommend getting the inline reel if you are a dedicated ice angler who is willing to go through some effort for a small advantage. If you are a casual angler, I would advise not getting one for your first ice reel.