Line counter reels

[opsirc]

I am looking to pick up some new LC reels for the big lake this year. Would like to keep the price reasonable, on a budget. Would like to hear what everone else uses and why.

thanks

O

[End of the Line]

This wont help your budget, but most of mine are the Shimano Tekota's. Depending on the size your looking at the neighborhood of $150-$160. I have a couple of the older Diawa SG47LC too, but the new ones arent the same. If your on a tighter budget you may want to look at the Okuma's. However, a few guys I know have bent the handles on them over the years and the drags certainly wont last forever especially if you use them for a wire line application.

[croixeyes]

I have used both the diawa line counter reels,sealine and accudepth.For the extra 40 to 50 bucks the sealine series are alot better choice IMO .I bought 2 accudepths and used them for leadcore,both had issues with the line clicker so I returned them.The sealines have worked perfect for both longline and leadcore trolling,you can back the drag way off and the clicker function keeps your line from slipping.

2cents

[Northlander]

The Diawa Sealine Linecounters are the best I have used except for those big bucks Shimanos that Joel runs on End Of The Line Charters out of Duluth. The Shimanos linecounter seems to be more accurate than Diawa or Okuma for some reason that I dont know for sure.

I have 2 Okumas and for the price they are a good reel. I have run them 2 years now and they are still ok. At the price I paid I was hoping for 2 years and they look like they could get 2 more.

[Rost]

Go with the Sealines...

I have two Depthmasters, two Okumas, and two Shaekphere (sp) LCs... And regret every one of them.

I should have spent the extra money the first time. The drags don't even compare to the SGs.

[PerchJerker]

Another vote for Sealines from me ......

[CaptAdam]

I bought a dozen of those Okuma LC's and did not like them at all. The drag either takes in line or it doesnt, there is no inbetween (and there should be) so I sold them on ebay and did not have to take much of a loss. thank God for eBay!

I agree that the Shimano Tekota's are the best reel, but I think for the money the Diawa 47LC's are the best buy. Russ at Marine general says they are just as good as the Shimano Tekota's and they are $50.00 less

[Lip RIPPER!]

I have a couple of Daiwa's and last year picked up Cabela's Depth Master Gold and it has worked great so far. Thinking about buying another one.

[MT Net]

I also bought an Okuma LC reel; the thing is nothing more than a big piece of crap. I replaced it with a Daiwa, so much better. You get what you pay for.

[Brett Erickson]

On a budget, go with the Diawa Sealines. For around $90 they are a good, dependable reel. As far as the best, the Tekota LC is it. Accurate, powerful and the best drag I have used in any trolling or casting reel. For you walleye guys, there is a smaller 300 size coming very soon. Look for it this spring.

Brett Erickson

www.thornebros.com

[Mike Walerak]

I would definatly go with the Sealines. I have 5 of the Accudepths and shelled them all but one and that one the linecounter quit working.

mw

[opsirc]

What lenght rods do you use? I have 8 and 8 1/2 footers I use, they seem to work ok. any thoughts on shorter or longer ones?

O

[Rost]

I use Cabelas Depthmaster 8 1/5 ft rods. They seem to work perfectly for both boards and long lining.

[rms]

Another option would be the Scheel's house brand. They are made by Diawa and are more like the Sealine than the Accudepth. I have an Accudepth, a Sealine, an Okuma and one of the Scheels. Next time I'm at Scheels I'm buying another one of Scheels brand.

[prov1900]

And....according to Scheels, if your Scheels brand rod/or reel (they make trolling reels too, I assume based on the Daiwa brand) breaks/malfunctions/whatevers, they will replace it on site, free o' charge, for life, no questions asked. Not a bad deal. I dont have any of their stuff, but my friends swear by the rods and reels.

[Lip RIPPER!]

The BPS rods are the way to go.

[BlackwaterStout]

I'm also planning on getting a trolling setup for this upcoming season. I'll probably go with a Diawa Sealine. I can't afford to buy more than one trolling combo so I was wondering if those little clamp-on line counters work? I have several other rods and reels that are suitable for trolling so I thought maybe I'd buy a couple of those portable line counters to use on those. For $12 they are a lot cheaper than new rigs.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002054013743a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&QueryText=counter&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.22&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=counter&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jsp

[End of the Line]

Instead of purchasing a line counter add-on you can do what I do on the ones that are not line counter reels. Simply measure the line on the yard that comes off everytime the level wind makes a pass. Every reel is different. I have some that 1 pass is apprx 11 feet of line. Take that times 6 passes = 66 feet.

[BlackwaterStout]

Quote:

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Instead of purchasing a line counter add-on you can do what I do on the ones that are not line counter reels. Simply measure the line on the yard that comes off everytime the level wind makes a pass. Every reel is different. I have some that 1 pass is apprx 11 feet of line. Take that times 6 passes = 66 feet.

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Thats a pretty slick idea. I'll have to remember that. However I did pick up on of those Rapala brand line counters that clamp on to your pole today. It was $12 and it came with a little trolling guide book to help you figure out lure depth. I'll try it out and see how it works. But I will also use your level wind trick as well.