A fine choice BA..
Because some have asked on separate boards I’m going to chime in on 13 Fishing’s upside-down baitcaster called the Tear Drop. This reel retails in Canada for about $90 and can be found at SAIL and maybe elsewhere. I’m not affiliated with these guys or anyone for that matter, so you can take this as an unbiased and honest opinion. I don’t normally speak on gear much either.
So, last year I had the worst time with line twist ice fishing heavy lures. The twist was basically from the business end up. Jigging big lakers like an angry madman for 6-8 hours in a day, I ground and pound all over the water column being fished. Any lures being worked this hard and fast caused twist. So, I extended the leader from 6 to 10 to 12 feet and although the increments bought me some time, still each day regardless I had to switch them out because they were worked into a matted mess. Between the mainline braid and more limp floro leads I use good quality ball bearing swivels. (size eludes me but they are rated around 40 pound test or more) A spinning reel was not the major part of the twist problem I guessed, yet I still wasn’t sure if it could be making matters worse when reeling up and down quite often.
13 Fishing’s reel was a questionable solution. I received one at Christmas. The impression out of the box was that it looked sleek and sexy, definitely innovative by design, good weight for size, “read” that it was quality parts, claimed quite a strong drag and, once on a 36 inch MH rod it balanced for me a little backward. It’s comfort in the palm however is unparalleled. Quite honestly, it’s number one attribute is how it sits in hand all day long like holding a baseball.
Specs on this thing... Jap SS High Spin Spool Bearings, 8 stainless steel ball bearings, instant ant-reverse, 6.2:1 gear ratio, magnetic braking, spool control, smooth carbon drag system, line cap 6/180, and about double the drag strength of your average 1000 series spinning reel..... Whatever!!!
Day one it got put to the test on three lakers 17 pounds and up. I used it inside and outside of the hut, on a day which reached above zero degrees.
In the hut it performed quite well. The one video with that big laker it worked the reel over 10 minutes and the drag had to be at 80-85%. I didn’t let off. It was impressively tough and although smooth it could have been a touch smoother at that tight setting. The line from the reel would often slide through my 2nd and 3rd or, 3rd and 4th fingers which was a nice touch feeling that line as, drag noise in nearly non-existent... and I don’t prefer that. Also, balance was solved once lures 3/4 ounce and heavier were attached.
Outside it was much the same... until later on. Back in the hut after it had been sitting on the ice outside a time, when I picked it up to use it and tried dropping a lure it froze up. Whattup with that!!! An ice fishing reel freezing up. It wasn’t the line but in free-spool it was sticking. Anyways, it didn’t care too much for the cold but, because of how it sits in hand you warm it up enough that it does work again in no time. Bottom line, it’s not a reel for outside use on real cold days when you’d be wearing gloves. That and, anyone not palming the reel in pencil grip could have cold issues too. For me, it happened only a couple times through the week though, mostly on day one and it seemed to improve with use. I wondered if condensation or water had gotten in and that was the problem.
Blah, blah, blah... The final thought.
9/10 for comfort and looks. It’s reel arm edge can dig a little into the index with pencil grip while punch-jiggin’ heavy baits all day long. Reel handle is fine. Enjoy how it palms. It’s a cool design.
7/10 drag. Lighter settings flawless when new. Tighter a little sticky but overall good. Wished it sounded off like a spinning reel cause then the peelings gives good feelings.
6/10 for function. Still weary about the cold with this reel. Braided lines frozen while free spooling would be same issue as with any baitcaster yet, this is a reel supposedly designed for ice fishing and having freeze up issues with the spool and engaging in and out of free-spool was weird. It’s great in the hut or once warmed up in the hand. Baits drop fast and the anti-reverse and magnetic brakes work fine. Line capacity rocks. 6/180 over 6/110 with most spinning reels.
5/10 for price. $89.99. Well, 4 and 5 years ago I paid $40 a piece for some Mitchell Avocet Gold series spinning reels sizes 500 and 1000, and every one of them is still in fine working order getting the job done without issue. $69.99 oughtta be better but you're paying a little extra for concept design and some reel appeal.
It’ll be with me in the hut until I wear it out. Gonna try softwater jiggin’ lakers with it this summer too.
Did this reel correct the line twist problem... Nope. As bad or worse in fact but, instead of the twist working it’s way up from the lure more seemed to begin at rod tip and work it’s way down.
Was one memorable day for the clan here at home.
