The Frabill Straight Line 371 is the best ice fishing reel you can buy in this price range because it allows you to keep the bail open while ensuring that the lure is at the desired depth and is correctly off the bottom while fishing.
This ice fishing reel, which features high-quality components and a sturdy construction, will allow you to catch your target fish with relative ease.
Our Review
The Reel: Materials and Construction
The Frabill Straight Line 371 Ice Fishing Reel is lightweight and dependable, and it is equipped with a guarded spool that allows for easy palm gripping while fishing. This is a particularly useful feature given the fact that you frequently have to wait in the cold for the fish, as well as the fact that it reduces fatigue and discomfort in your hands while fishing.
Lightweight and dependable
The lightweight composite construction provides the necessary durability and strength while also ensuring that the fishing reel is comfortable to use, even in extremely cold temperatures, according to the manufacturer.
This item is a large balanced spool that easily maximizes the retrieval rate while remaining balanced in size. Due to the fact that the line flows straight off the spool, this factor is heightened, effectively preventing the tackle from spinning and the line from coiling.
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Smooth performance and versatility
Every 360-degree rotation of the handle will unroll 3.7 turns of line on the spool, which will result in consistently smooth line feeds. A 3.7:1 reel ratio is also expected, which will ensure exceptionally smooth casting and reeling with each 360-degree rotation of the handle. It is truly amazing to see how far the line can be retrieved at 22 inches per revolution. When fishing with large muskellunge baits or crankbaits for pike and bass, a low speed line ratio is extremely beneficial because it allows for a slow presentation while still producing a lot of cranking power. Every time you cast and retrieve, the line feeds off from the bottom of the fishing reel’s spool and returns to the same point, ensuring that you don’t end up with annoying bird’s nests in your line.
Efficient bait alarm
The reel is equipped with an audible and/or silent bait alarm switch, which allows you to choose whether or not to activate it depending on the fishing situation, such as when your target is particularly sensitive to sound. It sends you an alert whenever a fish strike occurs. When casting or retrieving, it is necessary to deactivate the clicker or the bait alarm. It is also commonly used when presenting cut or live bait in the ocean, as well as when fishing for freshwater muskies with suckers in freshwater bodies of water.
The 5 plus 1 ball-bearing reel has ultra-fine free spooling for smooth handling and flawless retrieves. It has 5 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.
Ambidextrous fishing reel
When you order the Frabill Straight Line 371 Ice Fishing Reel, you will receive both short and long stems, allowing you to fish either palming the heel or wearing heavy gloves. The long stem option positions the reel further away from the rod, whereas the short stem option keeps the reel compact and close to the rod. This is an oversized ambidextrous fishing reel that gives you excellent control over the reel with your hands.. It makes use of the exclusive Sub-Zero lube, which ensures smooth operation even in the most frigid of environments.
The free spooling design makes it possible to drop even the smallest jigs with relative ease. Spooling the reel free is accomplished by pressing a button. By keeping your finger on the spool, much like you would on a baitcasting reel, you will be able to prevent the spool from turning. Lift your finger off the lure and allow it to fall, then stop it when you are finished. The spool will not come to a complete stop on its own unless you tighten the knob. Running the spool loose is recommended when fishing in a stream or deep water, even if it is 50 feet below the surface and you want to get into the water as quickly as possible.
Convenient and easy to utilize
This fishing reel will not cause you any difficulties when it comes to line twisting. It is suitable for use in all water depths. There are no issues with the bail or line springing out of the reel as a result of using this method. A plate on the back of the fishing reel allows you to hold it in the traditional ice fishing grip or the pistol grip, depending on your preference. It is possible to add an extra stem or net to your reel when fishing for walleye or other large game fish so that you can get your fingers or gloves into the reel. It takes little more than a flick of the wrist to catch a fish when panfishing.
Sturdy construction
An extended long handle and a heavy-duty construction distinguish this fishing reel. It is simple to put together. If you need to lubricate it, the fishing reel spool can be removed without allowing the line to come loose. The Frabill Straight Line 371 is built to last, even in the harshest conditions, and it allows you to position the handle on the side that is most comfortable for you simply by rotating the main bearing. This is accomplished by creating a skirted design that wraps around the reel frame, preventing the line from becoming entangled in the reel housing.