Most ice fishing rods aren’t built with reel seats, which means you’re left putting the pieces together on your own. Some folks like tape, others like rubber band systems. Joel Nelson demonstrates his preferred method for attaching ice fishing reels.

Taping Your Ice Fishing Reels on Like A Pro

To start here is the materials you will need. Your rod, reel, scissor, masking tape and then electrical tape.

The first step is to rip off two pieces of masking tape about 4 to 5 inches long. Then you wrap those around the rod where you think you will be taping the reel on. This helps protect the rod from the tape residue if you are an angler that likes to switch out reels.

Once you have placed the masking tape on, cut 4 pieces of electrical tape about 4 to 5 inches long as well.

This is what you will use to secure on the reel. Now before you secure on the reel you will want to take some time to think about how you want this set up to feel in your hand.

Depending on how you hold a fishing rod you may want to position the ice fishing reel further back or up, it is totally personal preference. You will also want to see where the reel has to be placed for the most balanced setup. Take your time with this.

Once you have your reel position picked out go ahead and secure it with the first piece of electrical tape. Once you have done that do a final check to make sure it is exactly how you want it and that the reel is centered.

If it is go ahead and use the rest of the electrical tape to secure the reel. Really make sure to pull it tight is the reel is locked on there. Once that is done you are good to go and ready to hit the ice.