Line Counters

[Gene Orman]

During a recent fishing show on television, fisherman pulling cranks for Walleyes were using Rods that had line counters attached to the base of the Rods. They seem neat as they could be used on more than one Rod and were less of a hassle than having large bulky line counting reels. Has anyone used them? Are they any good?
Geno

[Hawgeye]

Shakespeare makes one that works very well. As stated before on other posts, it isn't important that you know exactly how many feet you are back, it is important that you can be back the same amount of distance after you are able to hit a few fish.

[Chad]

$12 at most good outdoors stores. Scheels, Cabelas, Bass Pro

[ScottL]

I just picked one up on Saturday, 10.00 plus tax. I have 1 line counter reel, which works fine, but I believe it counts line by revolutions of the spool instead of actual line length, which is fine for repeating to certain distances. The shakespeare counter actually measures the line. You manually put the line in it and flip a small lever to engage the mechanical counter. When you set the hook the line automatically comes out of the counter mechanism. Looked good to me so I bought one. The fact that you can switch it from rod to rod is a bonus.

Regards,

Scott Lee

[Bobby]

Just my experiences here... I first bought a snap-on type line counter last year (Rebel, I think) and it didn't work very good. I then picked up a Shakespeare snap-on type, and it was ok, however the line didn't pass through it very well (14 lb Fireline). So, this year I splurged for a Shimano Bantam LC (Line Counter) reel. As I haven't used it yet, I can't recommend it! (I live up in Northern Manitoba and I'm moving south this year - I bought the Shimano for trolling Shadraps on the Red and Winnipeg rivers.)

[Fish Obsessed]

I have used the Shakespear model(attaches to the rod) for 3 years now. I also have 2 other line counters (Okuma 30 DX), and I use the Shakespear "counter" with a Shimano Triton 100 GT and it works great. When I first purchased this "clamp-on line counter" I was not expecting much, however after checking the acuracy I was amazed - it is right on from 0 to 225' it is only off a few feet. I can also use it to check the calibration of my other line counter reels while in the boat - just clamp it on and check it against the line counters. Is also good for spooling up reels with new line to know how much line you have put on.

I wish I could find some more Shimano Triton 100 GT reels, and I would use these Shakespear counters with them. For 10 to 12 bucks they are hard to beat.