View Full Version : linecounter reels
reformed bassguy
09-19-2004, 09:29 PM
Does anyone know how linecounter reels count line? Does it measure 12" of line passing a certain point and add 1 to the counter or does it count the number of times the spool turns and add 1? If the answer is the second option, they should be called line repeater reels. One turn of a full spool would release much more line than a turn of a 1/2 full spool. Either way would work for duplicating a depth you got a bite at, but if I'm pulling a full spool of 28# leadcore and you are pulling a 1/2 spool of 10# mono and I tell you I'm 125' back, option 2 doesn't look good.
Another question is " do all brands count the same"?
Thanks for your time, R..bg
They are using revolution and spool dia. to determine distance out, so you are quite right...spools must be full to be even close. We've found that even with full spools, they can be off by as much as 30%.
But repeatabilty is the primary issue not necessarily accuracy. Accuracy does come into play when using dive curves, or the new Big Water Edition of Precision Trolling.
Doing some simple tests in the back yard is the answer.
there are a few brands of line counters that attach to your rod and measure line passing throught them so it wouldn't matter if the spool is full or not
maybe they are more accurate
rebs
I've heard from those who have tried to use them, that they are fuusy and fragile. Line tension needs to be constant and fairly heavy for them work right. Most decide they are not practical.
Toolman
09-20-2004, 10:09 AM
Jim is correct on the clip-on counters. I tried the Shakespere one. It works pretty good with mono, OK with braid and not so well with Fireline. Probably OK for a fly-in trip or occasional use but for serious trolling, they are not worth the hassle-IMO.
The clip-on counters might have some usfulness in measuring lead-core (not dependant on spool dia) or amount of backing out after lead (again when lack of line on spool would render a reel counter useless). Lots of guys use Penn 300 series reels for lead with no counters. I have some Diawa 47Ls that I might try them on-maybe now I have a use for the things!
I have 2 of the Shakespeare clip on linecounters left, if you'd like to buy them. The other two popped off my rods while bringing in fish. While the linecounter reels may not be accurate in the sense of counting line, as the clip-ons are, at least they'll stay on the rod. lol
I have a couple that I use for measuring the backing let out after leadcore. They are good for that application. If fish are deeper than 10 colors of leadcore will get me, I clip a 4-12oz sinker behind it to get it deeper. I don't even run levelwinds on my big leadcore reels so I don't have any other way to figure out how much backing is down there. A Uniknot between leadcore and backing will not reel through those counters, you have to rotate them off to the side.
I've never used a linecounter for walleye fishing, I did use the clamp ons a couple times to verify the accuracy of my methods. Too much trouble to use all the time and too expensive to replace 14 27H's.
Penn has/had two models that you calibrated for your line diameter. Garcia's newest deal calibrates for line dial. Both electronic. The rest that I know of are mechanical.
No one should be trolling with only a half a spool - this ain't bass fishing:)
Another "weak spot" is at least some counters are calibrated for a certain dia of line that is a larger dia than what the eye guy puts on there so your off at the gate.
Makes no difference, way better than counting passes or pulls or just guessing.
There are two different versions of the Shakespear clip-on's. I tried one that was dark colored & smaller than a number 4 spinner blade and it was junk with fireline. I've seen a (newer) grey version that is maybe the size of 2 zippo lighters. I sometimes wonder if people are discussing 2 different products?
Good Luck,
GU
Not me. I was using the gray counters with the spring loaded clamp and the knurled screw handle. What happens, at least in my opinion, is that the screw "collar" backs off and you don't notice it, being that its underneath your rod. Now just the springs in the clamp are holding it on the rod. A couple of good hooksets or rod shakes and off she goes and into the drink. The first time I just assumed I forgot to tighten down on the knurled collar. The second time convinced me it was time to just bite the bullet and get linecounter reels. It's probably a good product for the occasional troller, but if you spend a lot of time doing it, which I've started doing, it just makes sense to get the reels.
I have 2 Penn line counters and believe they are accurate, they are the ones that you clamp on a device while putting line on them and it calibrates the counter for the line you just spooled on and takes into consideration the diameter of the line
rebs
reformed bassguy
09-21-2004, 08:56 PM
Thank you to all who took the time to respond.You have brought up some good points that I didn't think of.I have decided to just buy one reel and see how it works for what I want to do(repeatabilty being more of the issue than is that really 125' back there).After watching my local lake being fished with several different methods, it has come to my attention that I had better learn to fish leadcore.
Thanks again, R..bg