New Product Spotlight: Cold Snap Reel Wraps

One of the more overlooked aspects of ice fishing setup are what is used to attach the reel to the rod.  Most guys don't give it a second thought and do what their fathers or buddies taught them to use.  Most ice fishermen attach the reel to the rod with electric tape; other anglers use self-adhesive silicone tape or other various types of tape.  There are also some ice fishing rods that come standard with a reel seat, such as the St. Croix Legend series rods, which work okay too.  However, what if I told you that there is something better; something that will blow all those other applications out of the water?  Well, there finally is...

The guys at Cold Snap, makers of such products as the Snap Cap and the Rod Clamp,  introduced a new system this fall that attaches your reel to the rod via bands.  These are not your normal, everyday rubber bands, folks.  These bands are heavy duty and were originally intended for a more sinister purpose.

The Cold Snap Reel Wrap attaches your reels to the cork handle with four heavy duty bands.  I will be the first to admit I was a little skeptical of the whole process.  Before getting the bands, I envisioned relatively loose fitting bands with a lot of "give".  Upon handling the bands I knew I was completely mistaken by my first impression of the product.  The size of each band is approximately that of a cheerio but it has enough elasticity to fit on your standard cork handle.  The handy applicator makes it a cinch to put the bands on your handle. Honestly, without it the process would be a chore.

The process is quite simple.  All you need to do is load up four of the bands on the applicator and put the large end of it on the butt of your cork handle.  Roll two of the bands off the applicator and down towards then top of the handle.  WORD OF CAUTION: DO NOT ROLL THE BANDS OFF THE FRONT OF THE CORK HANDLE.  I "might" know a guy who did this with his very first band and it took him five minutes to get the SOB back on the cork!  After those two bands are on the cork, place your reel on the handle in which ever location you please.  If you are using spring bobbers, you may want to place the reel a little further forward. If you're using spoons you may want to place the reel a little further back.  Ultimately, that decision is up to you and makes the process a breeze using these bands.  Once you have the reel seated, roll the first band onto the handle of the reel, followed by the second.  If you are not happy with the location of the reel or it moved some, just reposition the reel and do it over.  Once the top two bands are on, all that is left is taking the remaining two bands and rolling them off the applicator and onto the other side of the reel foot.  Simple as that!

So, the next question ultimately is: I have been using tape for years, why change?  In my opinion, the answer is three-fold.  The first reason is that these wraps will not damage your cork, nor leave a sticky residue like many of the adhesive tapes will.  The second reason is that the reel wraps provide easier mobility of the reels on and off the rods.  If your reel freezes up or the anti-reverse junks out, switching the reel is out very simple.  For the anglers using their ice fishing reels for double duty during the summer, it makes even more sense.  Roll the four bands off the reel foot, take the reel off, and put it on your summer rod.  Finally, and possibly the most important reason, in my opinion, is that it allows for a more direct connection between your hand and the rod blank. This allows for a better feel when fishing since there are not multiple layers of tape between you and the rod blank.

So check them out when you get a chance and see if it's something you might like and use.  Tight lines and see you all next week!