Veteran tournament pro and Bassmaster Classic Champion Mike "Ike" Iaconelli is known for his enthusiasm and big personality. From tantrums when things go wrong to some of the most iconic celebrations when things go right, Ike is always full bore. Last year, he partnered with Abu Garcia on the third generation of his casting reel: the Ike Signature Series 3.0. Besides being the best iteration yet, Abu was also able to bring Ike's personality into the design.
The reel is flashy and edgy, with its iridescent greenish-purple hue. They added a new handle, and the frame is now graphite, which is super lightweight yet durable. And this reel flat out catches them—just like Ike. In fact, it performed so well in this year's baitcasting reel test that it took home the Best Value award. It is truly the best bang for your buck in casting reels today. Here’s a closer look at the Ike Signature Series 3.0.
Ike Signature Series 3.0 Overview
Specs
Gear Ratios: 6.4:1, 7.1:1
Retrieves: Right and left (7.1:1 only)
Weight: 7.4 ounces
Ball Bearings: 8+1
Pros
Strong
Casts really well
Great value
Cons
Limited ratios/retrieves
While this reel is flashy and modern, there's nothing super fancy about the design. It is simple to use, very capable, and fairly priced. There are three outer controls: a drag star, a spool tension knob, and an external brake control. The Ike 3.0 is easy to set and adjust, and once you get it dialed in, you can easily sling a bait without backlashing.
Coming in at 7.4 ounces, this is one of the lighter reels that we tested. It was also one of the more durable and stronger reels in the lineup. The new version features a graphite body, and the Abu team has updated the handle. The reel also features an 8+1 ball bearing system and carbon matrix drag.
On the Water Performance
At $180, this reel isn’t cheap. However, when comparing its performance and price to other models on the market, the Ike Signature Series 3.0 is right up there with premium reels—at half the cost. I paired it with a 7’2” medium-heavy/fast Abu Garcia Ike Casting Rod and spooled with 40-pound test Sufix 832 braid. Then hit the water for testing.
Over the course of a year, I've landed many 3-to-5-pound bass on this reel. It does an excellent job of hauling fish out of thick vegetation. For example, I hooked a 3-pounder on a topwater swimbait that I had to drag over what might as well have been a putting green. The Ike 3.0 didn't budge. It has the strength to stick, fight, and land giants in any situation. And after fishing hard with it for a year, the Signature Series 3.0 still performs as if I had just pulled it out of the box.
Just as important, the reel is easy to cast, extremely accurate, and can bomb lures for distance. The external brake dial makes it easy to adjust depending on the lure you're throwing. This helps with controlling backlashes. In our test, the Signature Series 3.0 matched the performance and capabilities of many premium models. Unless you want the very best that money can buy, I'd recommend picking up this reel. It has the versatility to fish most techniques, is made from good materials, and will hold up over time. What else could you ask for from a baitcaster?
