Cabela's line counter reels, R they junk?

[ntz4fshn]

Anybody else disappointed with the accuracy of the line counters on these reels? I bought 2 Depthmaster D10W-F line counter reels and they don't measure in feet or yards. I also have two Shakespeare Alpha LCM-1 snap on line counters that are extremely accurate to compare them to. In 150 ft the reels are off by about 30-40 ft. I find it hard to try and pull cranks when these are accurate. Any input would be helpful.

tightlines,
ntz4fshn

[REW]

I think that you will find - that if you have two of the reels - that they will be accurate - one to another.
The thing about a line counter - is that it isn't terribly important - as to the absolute accuracy of the reel. The most important thing - is that you can use a number on a display to get the lure to exactly the same point every time.

If you are concerned about absolute accuracy - and if you have a couple of different reels - simply calibrate the reels.

i.e. put the line on each of the reels that you are going to use.

Then, spool out typical distances that you might troll at - say 100 feet - 150 feet, 200 feet etc.

For every 25 or 50 foot distances - make a note for each reels deviation from accuracy.

Then, make a little chart on the side of each reel - so that if you want absolute accuracy - you can simply read the error correction off the side of each reel.

You will find that every reel - will be accurate - in either feet, inches, or meters - for a specific line size, for a specific amount of line on the reel etc.

However, real life seldom duplicates the exact same condititons as for what each of these reels were calibrated for.

Close perhps - but never right on.

So -
I think that you will find that you line couter reels will give you an absolutely repeatable nuber - that you can use to consistently catch fish. It is up to you to decide on how you want to use this number.

For example - if a line counter were filled with 20 lb test line - to the absolute maximum depth - the numbers that would spool off the line - as 200 feet of line were payed out - would be tremendously different - compared to a 1/2 filled spool of 10 lb fire line.

I dare say - that the numbers might vary by nearly 50 %.

So - if you want an absolute number - calibrate the reel - keep a calculator handy - and multiply the correction factor - from the number that you see on the reel - or divide by your desired line out distance - to compute the correct number to observe on your line counter and enjoy.

I personally would save my self the trouble - and simply put out line until I hit fish - note the number on the dial - and then continue to use that number - until the bite stops - then either reel in some or let more line out.

Take care
REW

[Mark]

I have four Cabela Depthmaster reels. I use 10 lb mono and 4/10 lb fireline on them. I calibrate them by starting at zero and pulling line out of them and measuring this line and comparing it to the reading on the reel. For example, on three of these reels 25 feet of line equals a reading of 31. On the other one I need to increase this by 8%. I have this rod/reel marked so if it is used I know that a mental calibration is needed.

I believe that you will have a hard time finding a line counter reel with correct readings due to line diameter and the amt. of line you put on the reels. I also have a Riptide that measures in yards.

[Gary B]

I believe that "line counter: reels actually count revolutions of the spool, instead of actual feet of line. A full spool will let out more line per revolution than a nearly empty spool because of the difference in diameter. Full spool, larger diameter, more line per revolution. Because of this design, a counter will not be accurate from full spool to empty spool. The "clip on" Shakespeare line counters do measure line because the line turns a wheel that is a certain diameter. These line counters, however, do have other quirks and inconveniences that may be undesireable. For the linecounter reels such as Daiwa and Okuma, you learn to use the counter as a "reference number" as much as, or more than, an actual line measurer.

[Fish Hound]

I have five different kinds of counters. Only one of them is really accurate. What I did is make a chart. First I measured out from my garage 100ft, 125ft, and 150ft. Then I tied off line and walked out to the 100ft mark. Wrote on the chart what reel I had and what it measured. Then to the 125ft and so on. It took a little time, but I know haw far out my line is by the chart.
The Fish Hound

[tshot]

Fill the spool. Then pull out a set amount of line and check the counter. Then add line or subtract line to make the counter accurate.
I bought 2 Cabelas line counters 1 yr ago. The digital display promtly froze on one of them and I sent it back for a free replacement. Used both reels last summer and did not like them.
I sent them back to Cabelas and they replaced these reels with Daiwa
27's. I should have done this in the 1st place (Daiwa)
Good luck
tshot

[hammertime]

the only line counter reels that are going to count the line and be that close to perfect as far as i know are the penn 855, 875 and 895 dig line counters in which they discontinued for some strange reason. think because of the high cost mabee, they have a computer in them that when you spool on the line you mount this piece on while winding on your line and when your done, it has caculated the line with the diamiter and programs this info together and there ya go. if a person wants more that just re-peatability, there are still some to be found out there for a person who looks around. i found 18 - 875,s and 4- 895,s for lead core for my salmon fishing and im a very happy camper with them . they can be found for 80,90 bucks out there. good fishing to all and tight lines. mike/hammertime

[perchjerker]

I got a Penn 855 combo at christmas time from Dicks for $79. Didnt know at the time they were good reels. Wish I would have bought a few more!

[hammertime]

you also got mabee the smoothest drag ever built in a fishing reel with that penn also. you will really love that reel. i got mine for salmon so they are the bigger size but wish now that i would have got a couple of smaller ones for walleye,s, mabee ill take my own advice and look around for a couple. see ya. mike/hammertime

[perchjerker]

Mike-
I see tons of them on ebay if you havent seen them already. There are a few dealers selling them, at one time I had emailed one to try to swing a deal on 4, he was willing, you might try that.

[ntz4fshn]

Thanks for all the replies, this information will help me. I thought I was going crazy trying to figure this out. Hats off to Walleye Central this is absolutely a great forum for walleye fishing, this is a place where the truth is told about products with the world's best advertising, WORD OF MOUTH by the people who use the products!!!

tightlines,
ntz4fshn