Last Updated on January 16, 2022 by Afsar
Are you looking for the best ice fishing reels? Ice fishing has become a trendy sport lately. Just because it is snowing, the fishing fun doesn’t need to stop. Whether you are a pro or a newbie, you can surely enjoy an ice fishing trip. Like most other activities, it is wise to choose the best gear for ice fishing. Besides boots, augers, and heaters, it is crucial to land the best ice fishing reel for your rod.
If you are a seasoned angler, you already know that there are many types of fishing reels available on the market. If you have a crankbait reel, you can not use that for ice fishing. It is very important to choose gears that are specifically designed for the activity. We will share some of the top ice fishing reels available on the market to help you get a head start. While spinning reels are the most common type of reel for ice fishing, some anglers also love to use inline reels. Inline reels look pretty much fly reels and also functions similarly. Although most people prefer spinning reels over inline reels for ice fishing, we can’t tell which one is the best.
In order to help you guys choose a better ice fishing reel, we discussed and shared both spinning and inline reels in this article. If you are in a hurry, you can check the top ice reels from the comparison chart or check the individual reviews. If you want to learn how the ice fishing reels work or want to know more about the factors to land to good ice fishing reel, check the bottom of the page for our how-to guide. Let’s start with the ice fishing reel’s comparison chart.
Table of Contents
Best Ice Fishing Reels 2022
| Image | Model | Gear Ratio | Ball +Bearings | Editorial Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Piscifun ICX 5 | 5.2:1 | 5+1 | 4.8 |  |
  | Eagle Claw In Line Ice Reel | 2:6:1 | 4+1 | 4.5 | |
  | 13 Fishing 2015 Black Betty | 2:7:1 | 5+1 | 4.9 | |
  | Goture reel | 5:2:1 | 5+1 | 4.6 | |
  | 13 Fishing Inline | 2.5:1 | 3+1 | 4.8 | |
  | Pisfun Reel | 5.1:1 5.0:1 4.7:1 | 6+1 | 4 | |
  | TICA SS500 Cetus | 6+1 | 4.9 | |
|
  | Pflueger Moniceb Monarch | 4:2:1 | 5+1 | 4.5 | |
  | Fiblink Inline Reel | 2:7:1 | 4+1 | 4.8 | |
  | Abu Garcia Max | 3+1 | 4.5 | |
Piscifun ICX 5
Piscifun ICX 5 is Piscifun’s latest spinning fishing reel with a 5+1 sealed ball bearings setting. I don’t know how, but Piscifun always manages to offer fantastic ice fishing reels at a meager price. Piscifun ICX 5 is probably the best cheap ice fishing reel you will find on the market. It comes with a maroon and black color combination. A high-strength graphite body and rotor are used, which ensures that it can handle the harsh winter situation. A deluxe quick folding handle is used to make it highly portable that can be a massive point for anglers who are going a little bit far from the usual.
As mentioned earlier, a 5+1 high-quality sealed bearings coupled with instant anti-reverse zinc alloy is used, which gives a smooth performance. The water-resistant CNC aluminum spool with a good line management system ensures smoothness. If you are wondering about the max drag, it is 12lbs. Both mono and braid capacity is 4lb/140yds. You can buy this ice fishing reel in two different color combinations: red & black or black & silver.
- Gear ratio: 5:2:1
- 5+1 high-quality sealed ball bearing offer smooth and consistent performance
- Durable and robust graphite body and rotor to tackle harsh winter environment
- Deluxe quick folding handle: great for transportation
- Available in two stunning color combination: red & black or black & silver
- Water-proof CNC aluminum spool
- Great drag performance thanks to the premium carbon fiver washer and stainless steel disc
- Durable zinc alloy drive gear
- Positive click: enable quick hookset
- Extended reel foot offers better grip
Eagle Claw In Line Ice Reel
Best Cheap Ice Fishing Reel: Made of nylon body and spool, this is a great reel for ice fishing. With a smooth Teflon drag, you can understand why this simple-looking ice reel has been loved by so many ice anglers. You can adjust the spool tension, thanks to the brilliant design. Eagle Claw In line ice reel is available at a very cheap rate. Despite the cheap rate, it is pretty sturdy and works great for ice fishing. This reel is primarily made for left-hand retrieve, so you have to do some handwork if you want to make it right-hand retrieve capable.
- Sturdy nylon body and spool
- Sturdy nylon body and spool
- Left-hand retrieve can be changed to right-hand retrieve
- Good drag system
- Extremely cheap
- Free spool release button provide
- Spool tension can be adjusted
Goture Spinning Reel for Ice Fishing
Goture spinning reel is an excellent option for ice fishing. It comes in six different styles, but I personally prefer the 500 styles for ice fishing. Just like any other top ice fishing reels, this one also comes with a waterproof bearing, which has been reinforced using waterproof precision technology. Good sealing and stainless steel material ensures that it won’t rust, and can be used for both saltwater and freshwater action.
Go anti-twist roller reduces the entanglement of the fishing line, which makes the outlet smooth. According to Goture, over 5000 tests have been done to ensure high performance. 5+1 super smooth bearing coup and the whole structure of the reel uses ultra-light design to offer smooth and stable performance.
13 Fishing 2015 Black Betty Fishing Reels
Black betty fishing reels is an amazing reel from 13 fishing for ice fishing. This ice-fishing reel is available in both left and right-hand option. With a 2:7:1 gear ratio, this carbon drag reel has the features to make ice fishing great again. Like other good ice fishing reels, this one also comes with an instant anti-reverse feature. The bar stock CNC machined aluminum construction makes it a sturdy ice fishing reel. The price of this reel might look higher than a casual one, but you can rely on its performance and durability.
- CNC machined aluminum construction
- Carbon drag system
- Both left and right hand retrieve
- 2:7:1 gear ratio
- Slightly expensive but high value for the price
TICA SS500 Cetus Trout Fishing Series
A lot of people have never heard of fishing reels from tica. If you are into trout fishing, this is one of the best ice fishing reel for you. As the name suggests this is an ice fishing reel for fishing trouts. The 6 precision stainless steel ball bearings of this reel make it a great gear to have on the fishing trip. The soft touch handle know comes with two stainless steel ball bearings. It also comes with an extra spool. It also features an instant anti-reverse and a balanced rotor for a smoother reeling. Best thing? The price is very reasonable.
- 6 Precision Stainless steel ball bearings
- Reasonable price
- Extra spool provided
- Comfortable touch handle knob
Pisfun Spinning Fishing Reel: Freshwater & Saltwater
Made of a rugged frame this spinning reel is great for ice fishing. The spool is made of a lightweight double-anodized aluminum spool. It comes with a multi-disk drag system with an oil-soaked drag washer. This reel used 6 ball bearings and one quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing. For extra durability, the corrosion resistant construction comes very friendly. It performs very smoothly, so you can have a great time outdoor.
- Rugged Graphite frame and rotor
- Oil soaked drag washer
- Multi-disc drag system
- Corrosion-resistant construction and materials
- Saltwater & freshwater friendly
- 6 ball bearing and one quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing
Abu Garcia Max Ice Fishing Spinning Reel
Abu Garcia, a fishing reel and equipment company from Sweden, is famous for its top-notch but reasonably priced items. Abu Garcia Max is an ice fishing spinning reel made of aluminum. Its lightweight graphite body and rotor makes it easy to use. Abu Garcia uses a machined aluminum spool that provides great strength without adding excess weight. You will find a four-bearing system, three ball bearings + 1 roller bearing, that provides a smooth operation. Abu Garcia’s everlast bail system also ensures better durability. On top of that, the slow oscillation ensures even line lay with all types of line.
- Smooth operation: 3 Ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Lightweight graphite body and rotor
- Slow oscillation offers even line lay with all types of line
- Everlast bail system offers great durability
- Cold gear lube
- Rocket Line Management System™
- Machined Aluminum spool
- Lightweight graphite body and rotor
13 Fishing FreeFall Ghost Patriot Edition Inline Ice Fishing Reel
If you are looking for an inline ice fishing reel for sale, you need to check this reel from 13 Fishing. This super cool ice fishing reel is available in three different colors: black/white, radioactive pickle, and white. No matter whether you are left-handed or right, 13 Fishing got both types of reels for you. It uses graphite frame construction to make the reel. The inline ice fishing reel is equipped with more features like freefall performance window, drop speed control, instant stop anti-reverse, and more. It’s 3+1 stainless steel ball-bearing are designed to offer a smooth performance. The improved slide drag system is what I like most about this reel.
- 2:5:1 gear ratio
- Available in three cool colors
- Available in different sizes
- Available for both left and right-handed anglers
- 3+1 stainless steel ball bearings
- Drop speed control
Fiblink Inline Ice Fishing Reel
This is a great inline ice fishing reel from Fiblink. It is available in both right-hand and left-hand retrieves. The aluminum star drag and handle come very handy when you are out there in a harsh environment. With a 2:6:1 gear ratio, it’s a great reel for ice fishing. The super-smooth drag system with an anti-reverse function is an excellent feature that you will love to have in this ice fishing reel. There are other features like the spool tension adjustment and free spool release button.
- Aluminum star drag and handle
- Gear ratio: 2:6:1
- Instant anti-reverse
- Ball bearings 4+1BB
- Smooth star drag system can be adjusted easily
- Sturdy design
H.T Enterprises Accucast Ultra-light Spinning Reel
Accucast is an ultra-light spinning reel for ice fishing. Unlike most reels made for ice fishing, this one comes at a very cheap price. This may not be the best reel for hardcore fishermen, but a casual ice fisherman would surely appreciate its features and performance. You can choose from two different sizes of this ice fishing reel. This reel is made with care for providing a great benefit to the users. Packed with features, this has been a friend to a lot of users. This ice reel comes with silver color and a graphite body for durability. The drag system is also strong and smooth.
- stylish Silver color
- Graphite body for durability
- Infinite anti-reverse
- Reversible right and left hand retrieve
- 6 ball bearings
Fiblink Inline Ice Fishing Reel
Fiblink is a popular fishing gear manufacturer with a wide range of fishing accessories. This is an inline ice fishing reel for ice anglers. Unlike most ice fishing reels, this one is available in both left-handed and right-handed sizes. It comes with a super smooth drag system with instant anti-reverse. The free spool release button makes it easy for the anglers to operate. With a 2:7:1 Gear ratio and 4+1 Ball bearings, you can rely on Fiblink’s reel for having a good time. CNC machined aluminum body and spool ensure high durability and large line capacity. With a low price, this is a great inline ice fishing reel for both starters and professionals.
One of the best inline ice fishing reels on the market. Available in both left-handed and right-handed.
- A super smooth drag system
- Instant anti-reverse
- Instant anti-reverse
- 2:7:1 gear ratio
- 4+1 stainless steel Ball Bearings
- CNC machined aluminum body and spool
- Lightweight design
- Soft-touch EVA knob
- Available in both left-handed and right-handed
Pflueger MONICEB Monarch Ice Spinning Reel
From 1881, yes you saw it right, Pflueger has been delivering quality fishing reels and tackles to the fishing community. If you are looking for an ice fishing reel, which will just work, this probably is the solution you need. Pflueger MONICEB monarch ice spinning reel is designed to serve for ice fishing only. This great ice fishing reel comes with five corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball-bearing system. Pflueger used a lightweight yet sturdy graphite body and rotor in this reel. Aluminum bail-thick ball wire design is rigid to prevent mist-shaping. It looks stylish, comes with enough bells and whistles, and doesn’t break the bank.
- 5 corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball-bearing system
- Graphite body & rotor
- Sleek design
- Aluminum ball wire design
- Great value for the price
- Made for ice fishing
How To Choose The Best Ice Fishing Reel
- Retrieval: Please check whether the reel can in use for left hand and right hand or not.
- Drag system: You need a ice fishing reel which comes with good smooth drag system.
- Durability: Check whether the reel comes with hard material or not. This will ensure that the reel will be able to face harsh environment.
- Gear Ratio: Look for your preferred gear ratio.
- Weight: You need a lightweight ice fishing reel, so that you can feel comfortable
- Price: You can find cheap ice fishing reels on the market. Though an expensive ice reel might have better performance, but a cheaper one can also do the same job for you.
Final Verdict
I hope this guide for ice fishing reels helps you to find the perfect ice fishing reel for you. If you are not sure about which is the best ice reel for you, then you can rely on us and choose one from the best ice fishing reel’s chart at the beginning of this post. If you have a budget constraint, choose Fiblink Inline reel.
Good Read
- Top 10 Best Ice Fishing Tips
- 10 Best Ice Fishing Shelter
- Best heater for ice fishing
- Best Fly Fishing Reels
- Ice flasher
- Best Ice Fishing Rods
- Underwater camera for fishing
- Best Ice Fishing Bibs
- Ice auger reviews
- Best Saltwater reels
- Best Ice Fishing Sleds
Afsar is an avid kayak blogger born near the coast. He has a passion for kayaking and started as a child. He has paddled in various conditions and locations and promotes responsible kayaking. Afsar’s blog is widely read, and they are a respected voice in the kayaking community, offering valuable content on kayaking trips, gear, tips, and tricks. Afsar collaborates with other bloggers and brands and continues to inspire others through their writing and social media.
The #3 Pisfun Spinning looks awesome but does it come with the rod??