just got a new ice reel but I don't get how to use it

[HuyFishin]

store.13fishing.com/p/2015-black-betty?pp=24


I just got the 13 fishing black Betty for my wife, since she loves panfish, but I'm not sure how to use it, the reel is super basic, has a cork drag on it, no bail release and no reverse lock (so I can reel it the wrong way)

How do I drop a small lure down? Loosen the drag or pull out the line by hand?
When she hook sets on the fish does she reel up the panfish with a tight drag?
One last thing is, her spool can spin both directions do u have to just be carful u dont spin it the wrong direction or is there a trick to this that i haven't figured out?

[Wild&Free]

How do I drop a small lure down? Loosen the drag or pull out the line by hand?

I would use the reverse reel ability to let line out.

When she hook sets on the fish does she reel up the panfish with a tight drag?

Use drag as you normally would imo,

One last thing is, her spool can spin both directions do u have to just be carful u dont spin it the wrong direction or is there a trick to this that i haven't figured out?

if you use it mounted like the photo in the URL, reel forward for retrieve, backwards for let line out.

[Habfan]

The reel has a star drag on it !!! It also has a tension control knob for backlash. There is also a clicker on it !! The drag is the star shaped nut at the base of the handle, the tension button is a little knob on the side of the reel, the clicker is on the other side !!! Just start pushing and turning things, or google it !!

[EZM]

I got sucked into the unique design and cool packaging of the black betty.

It now has been removed from any of my rods ........ the drag is jerky and awkward, if you pull your line out you have to loosen off the knob, send it down, and re-tighten every time.

Not what you would expect at that price point.

If you reel it backwards it gets uncoiled and makes a mess.

If often will skip off the rails and cause tangles.

And before someone gives advice on "how to make it work" or a "lesson on what they are doing wrong" keep in mind ..... after trial and error ....most people will make it work, but it's just a poor design and requires care.

TRUST ME

I have all sorts of fishing reels, gear, ice reels in all sorts of styles (level wind, center pin, star drags, compression drags etc.... and this design sucks.It is, by far, the worse design I have ever seen. The Cheap HT center pin with compression drag reels are way better and cost half the price.

it's a FAIL

Here are my suggestions .........for center pin type reels (which I like as well).

Replace that Betty and send her back ..... trust me ...



for a inexpensive but pretty good reel ......

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ice+f...%3B1274%3B1274

a really good reel ....

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Frabill-S...item5412fa1766

and an outstanding reel ..........

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EAGLE-CLAW-PR...item1e9323231d

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Habfan

The reel has a star drag on it !!! It also has a tension control knob for backlash. There is also a clicker on it !! The drag is the star shaped nut at the base of the handle, the tension button is a little knob on the side of the reel, the clicker is on the other side !!! Just start pushing and turning things, or google it !!

No .... it does not. The this model has a compression drag only. The other screw is the backlash/main pinion screw.

!!!! (exclamation point reverse roeshamoboe)

[Habfan]

Thanks for the info, I thought maybe the user was unfamiliar with this type of reel ! But if it's junk, it's junk !! I was thinking about getting one, not anymore !!

[Kim473]

I would send it back and get a light weight rod reel combo from Walmart, much better. Even a cheap one. Have two of them for 5 + years and no problems. This one might be good for some kind of pike rig at best. JMO.

[EZM]

Rapala makes a very similar reel as the black betty in design ..... as a matter of fact they look identical to me ......

http://rapala.ca/products/r-type-ice-centerpin-reel

I would assume it has the same faults as the sexy, but frustrating, Black Betty.

FYI

[HuyFishin]

reading this just upsets me
I have Bulk line on it and I bought it with no box lol display model

[EZM]

Originally Posted by sushi_man

reading this just upsets me
I have Bulk line on it and I bought it with no box lol display model

That does suck ..... maybe it could be a cool paper weight for the home office?

Perhaps, mounted to a cutting board it would shred carrots? sharpen crayons?