Are ice reels really needed?

[fish_fear_me2]

I remember those days with a five gallon bucket that was both tackle box and chair. I think I used a digging bar early on but yep, still lots of splashing water as we made the hole fishable. Didn't get an "ice rod" till I got an ice shed. Needed the shorter pole. I used castmasters as my spoon, still do sometimes. We have come a long ways with our lists of necessities. Miracle we ever caught a fish before we had all this fancy stuff.
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