Thread: Solo reel

Looks nice Gene! I've never tried one of those types of reels...not sure I could master if it I had to pull on the string and lift the pole and get it reeled in all at the same time! Think I may leave it to you my friend. Hope you wear it out on slabs!

Scott it comes natural, once you try it. Linda has been fishing that way out the back of the boat for years and I always thought it odd, but once I tried it I was hooked. It works extremely well for pitching a jig around structure or dipping a shiner into brush and tops. I'll show you a D'Arbonne.
"gene"

Hey PPG,

Missed Kmans post. Were did he post?

I don't see the point in the reel. Looks like a fly reel. When tightlinning the reel plays no part other than to hold extra line. If I hook a large Fish I don't have time to play the fish with a reel.IMO

Talkinf fly fish, were's sneaky pete?

JR since you do, or maybe not, need some way to store line on your pole. Most people op-out for a spinning reel or spin cast reel. A few like to use only the lightest means which is the small plastic reel like JB sells and a few people who like that concept go up to a higher quality fly reel with a drag. I have used all of them. My last was mounting a fly reel with a drag onto a bottom seat rod. This has become my favorite set up. Wally's SO 1 reel fits right in there. It can be used in any position but I really like the way it works on the bottom seat rod. Now this isn't for casting, it's for jigging where a set amount of line is pulled out and fishing is done with only that line. It only weights 3 ounces. When mounted on the bottom seat it acts more like a counterbalance than a reel but it is there if you need more line for whatever reason. The drag is nice as when I caught that 7 pound bass on a jig pole with 4 pound line. I had a spinning reel on that rod and I don't think I could have landed it without a smooth drag. With one of the plastic reels I just know I would have had trouble fighting the fish without tangling or not being able to control it by applying pressure with the line running through my hand and fingers. I also hook into a fair number of redfish and catfish where I fish, these too all have been on those small spinning reels but heavy compared to the SO 1 reel. The spinning reels also have many places to hang line on when trying to fish what I call JB style, especially those long handles. I guess what I'm trying to say is that first the reel was planned by a fisherman who knew what he wanted and not by an engineer. Secondly it's high quality, third it cheap compared to either a quality fly reel of spinning reel, forth if you like dipping minnows or jigs I sure you would fall in love with it quickly. Just my opinion, but if you get a chance give it a try, I think you will be impressed.

As for Pete, he's been missing in action lately. He needs to show up so we can have some fun.

Kmans post in on the main forum, very very interesting and informative. Check it out.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-...el-review.html

"gene"

I'm not to old to try something new.......guess I'll have to give it a shot......

Gene, I just had to retire a flyrod reel to the trash can. I know what you mean about balance. The reel that went to the trash was made by Zebco, which I did not see on the box at the time it had a spring loaded rewind with an Aluminum spool. The detents wore out on the spool that released the tension of the spring. it never happened at a good time. There is an advantage using the pole as you described when fishing deep in the channels. it allows one to get back to the exact depth the fish are biting at. The smooth drag can mean the difference in a broken line or the biggest fish of the day in the boat

If Mr Crappie(Wally) is behind the Product you can bet it quality!!! Just ordered one from grizzly jigafter your report wish I had ordered two!!! thanks for the post and report!!! That guy (Wally) is always on the cutting edge!!!

I plan on getting a couple, i like to fish with a fly reel on my main jigging poles and this is definitely a cheaper option than a new fly reel...