View Full Version : Shakespeare Linecounter Reels
Does anybody have any experience with the Shakespeare linecounter reel listed in Cabelas Spring Edition II catalog for $39.95? Sure a better price than the Daiwa (I know everybody says these are the standard) at about $90.
From everything I heard, the reel is good but the linecounter part is suspect. I bought one this year and have not used it yet. But I can tell the counter is so,so. I am using it for leadcore so counter is not needed. The drag does seem to be good.
Shakespeare makes a fine reel! The gearing and drag are top notch. Yes... the line counter itself could be a little better. Out of six of these I now own, one counter died, but Shakespeare replaced it - no questions asked. Yes... I know it is a pain in the rear-end to send a reel back. But one out of six wasn't as bad as it could have been. Since then, I have had the reels another two years, and they are still going strong.
sO FAR, Diawa does make the best one out there, however, if you don't use line counters every time out, it may be hard to justify the $ to the miss's.
I have now had the chance to touchy-feely the new Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's line counters, and am very impresed with both of those too. I like the Cabela's due to the small size, and smoothness. However, these are also higher priced then the Shakespeares.
Whichever you choose... GOOD LUCK!
SLIPKNOT
04-03-2002, 08:08 AM
Do a search and you will find a lot about them. I have 4 of them and they aren't very good linecounters. The counters are VERY inaccurate and innconsistent and the clickers wear out after about one season of fairly heavy use. The drag is the best feature about the reel, it is pretty smooth. If you are going to buy linecounters, do it right the first time and buy the daiwas, you'll be glad you did. Good luck!