6061 - Inline Ice Fishing Reels

I live in the South so I didn't buy this for ice fishing. I bought it to use for vertical jigging for crappie and sand bass which we generally do during the day in cooler months and at night under lights in the Summer. The technique generally pays off very well. After using small spinning reels for this over the past few years I decided I wanted an inline reel for less spool memory on the line and less line twist from the spinning reels. I am easily able to solve the line twist issue with a baitcast reel but these have small diameter spools and you do get some issues with the line keeping spool memory more so than with the bigger spools of an inline reel. I also wanted the push button free spool feature and star drag features as well as a geared reel other than just 1 to 1. This reel is much smaller than I thought it would be but the spool is of adequate diameter to almost eliminate the spool memory issues with the line. The free spool has plenty of adjustment for any weight lures I use jigging and the drag is also quite adequate for the size fish we generally catch. I only have one con for this little reel and that is the anti-reverse is not instant by any means. I have $20 spinning reels that have absolutely instant anti-reverse and I expected an $80 reel made by such a prestigious company as 13 Fishing to have an instant or at least close to instant anti-reverse but that is simply not the case. If this issue were solved it would get 5 stars from me but as it is 3 stars is all I can give it considering the cost. I will keep it and I will use it but I am disappointed in the anti-reverse compared to almost any other reel I own. 13 Fishing FIX THIS and you have a 5 star reel.UPDATE 1-17-18: After using it a bit the anti-reverse bearing is acting as it should so I am bumping it up to five stars. I have no idea why it didn't perform as it should have right out of the box unless it just needed some use to loosen it up or possibly it was over greased or something. Whatever it's cause, it is now working as it should. That said I offer my apologies to 13 Fishing. You don't need to "fix" anything on it. Unless you feel like you must have the trigger release offered by the Free Fall model I believe this is the best inline reel out there. I considered the trigger release model but started thinking about what could happen if it got pulled by accident while fighting a fish. That could cause a serious overrun problem if it did happen. With this design it would be almost impossible to accidentally engage the free fall button so this is my reel of choice. I guess everyone has their own thoughts on aesthetics but when your think about build quality this reel is miles ahead of the competition.UPDATE 2/23/18: This probably wont have any noticeable effect on usage but it has a bit of in / out play on the handle shaft side. It doesn't wobble or move side to side or anything that negative. It's just something I noticed worth mentioning. I compared this play to all the inline reels I own which is several brands and types. The only reel I have that doesn't have any play at all at this point is the cheapest inline reel I own which is a LEO ordered from China for $15. Virtually all others have some play but out of all of them the 6061 has the most. This probably means nothing as to how well it works. Another thing worth mentioning is the free fall rate adjustment knob is all but useless as it has about 1/4 turn between totally free and dead stop with a 1/16th ounce jig. This is not a negative thing for me as I just leave it loose and use my finger on the spool to slow or stop it. If you have only fished with a spinning reel in the past it may take some getting used to but if you fish a baitcast reel you should get the idea and technique down instantly. In short. DON'T depend on the spool speed drop control stopping the spool if your lure hits bottom or you are asking for trouble. This is true with just about all inline reels of similar design. Some very nice inline reels don't even have the adjustment knob at all and they work fine for me.

Great quality. Good drags for bigger fish. Heavier than the composit reels but no bug deal. Will definitely buy another

Nice reel. With a very small ice jig a smooth drop rate. Reel is a little big but works good. Good retrieval rate. I feel the drag should be smoother for the money (little jerky).That being said not sure if it is worth the money but over all I like.

One of, if not the best, inline ice reel on the market today. I gave the freefall 4 out of 5 for several reasons but the 6061 is the flagship ice reel in my opinion. You can't go wrong with it, and given the price point and unmatched construction and comfort; this is the ice reel for the future for me.I have a dozen and I have never had an issue.I see a lot of people using 371s and I'll put it this way. I would rather tow my boat onto the ice, cut a hole and jig with a spinning reel, than use a frabil ice reel.

Fishing faster equals more fishing, this thing gets me back in the water quicker than my spinning reels without the twist. I enjoy fishing with it.Plaid Chad with Perch Shoulder Fishing

Great reel.

Pros:Free spools 1/32 weight jigs at a perfect free fall, keeps your line completely straight, has a smooth drag with a large bait caster style adjustment knob that you can adjust while playing a fish, and a retrieve can keep up with a fish that rushes up after hookset.Cons:You cannot pencil grip with this reel without your palm making contact with the spool.I've had the line jump off of the spool and start wrapping around the spool tightening knob without my realizing it.You can overrun the line accidentally if you aren't careful.

Came perfect no issue husband is happy

Disliked that there were no instructions with it. More complicated than I thought. Sent it back.

This has a very quality feel to it. Have not tested it yet but have little doubt it will perform. Is it worth this kind of money? That's for each to decide 😉

My buddy has this reel and after trying it out for pan fish I had to have one. I have a couple straight lines but this is the best

Very good quality !

Amazing reel, wish I would have treated myself and bought it sooner.