Has anyone used Shakespeare Tidewater line counter reels, are they somewhat accurate, and do they hold up over time?
Thanks

I've never used one but doubt that they will hold up as well as the diawa sc27lc I've (and other WC fisherman)been using, cheaper reel usually means cheaper parts. Cheaper equipment takes the fun out of fishing when it's breaks down or wrestling with the junk for years. Nicer stuff is such a pleasure to use, I have some pen trolling reels that I refuse to use because it makes fishing more like work. Good luck on your decision.

TIDEWATER REELS ARE THE WORST REELS EVER MADE IN MY OPINION.I BOUGHT 2 TIDEWATERS AND 2 GREAT LAKES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, HALF WAY INTO THE SEASON THE DRAGS AND CLICKERS FAILED ON BOTH TIDEWATER REELS. THEY WERE FIXED AND NOW SIT IN THE SPARE/BACK-UP STORAGE ON MY BOAT, I NOW USE ALL GREAT LAKES REELS AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. JUST MY 2 CENTS. TIGHT LINES, EYE PROBLEM

There has been many posts on linecounters on this site 99% of the guys use diawa for the extra 20 bucks they are well worth it.

I have 4,used for one season on Lake Michigan and walleye trolling and have had no problems at all but if one goes down I'll be upgrading. I had Penns and wanted line counters and this was a cheap way to get into them.

A few years ago, I bought two non-line counter tidewater reels. I was not very impressed with them. Lousy ratio (though I did know that before I bought them) and not very durable. Barely got two seasons out of them. And that was during a time when I wasn't getting out much. I have to admit, they were inexpensive, so it goes, you get what you pay for. Personally, between my experience with the tide water reels and other Shakespeare reels I have purchased, I'll never buy another Shakespeare reel ever again. I do like their Ugly Stick rods however.

Picked one up on clearance last year. It was a great price and planned on buying a few more they had. Got ready to spool it up that night and began to play with it. I didn't like the way it felt and the way the counter moved(not very smooth). I never spooled it up and returned it the next day. I picked up Diawas and have been pleased with them.

Watch the ads on Diawas, sometimes you can virtually get a free rod with a combo purchase.