Best reel for the money I've ever used!! Love it!!

Just getting started and really liking it. Bought it for year around vertical marina dock fishing for crappie. I would have given it a 5 star, but just haven’t used it enough yet to give it that rating. Purchased it from TackleDirect and had a very good experience. The price was right, and they must have shipped it the day I ordered. So, overall I’ve been extremely happy with my purchase.

To be fair, I rated this reel 4 out of 5 stars because I didn't get much use with it before the ice season ended. I am using it on a 25" light Fenwick rod with 4 lb Trilene Micro Ice line and small jigs tipped with wax worms for panfish.

I am more familiar with spinning reel rigs, but once you have the Descent adjusted with the right amount of fall for the total weight of your lure, and the drag set correctly, presenting the bait at the right depth is quick and easy. Unlike spinning reels, there is no rotation of the bait due to line twist so a swivel isn't necessary.

I didnt have any issues to speak of other than some experimentation necessary to get the fall adjusted correctly. If the reel is set to allow too fast a fall, it will continuing spinning and releasing line after it reaches the bottom. No problem really even at that.

When In shallow water, I found myself stripping line off to the right depth against the drag rather than releasing the reel; a habit from using spinning reels I suppose. Either way, the reel worked as expected. No complaints.

For the most part, we were only fishing in 8' -10' of water but it could just as easily have been 18'. Overall, I am pleased with the way this reel handled on open ice in 10 to 20 degree weather. In fact, I bought a second Descent and will use it on an ultra-light rod.

I may update this review next season after more extensive use.