Trolling Rods and Linecounter Reels

[Riverbottoms]

I'm wanting to buy 2 trolling rods and reels for longlining crankbaits and possibly boards. Any suggestions on the best rod lenght and action. I would also like to hear preferences on line counter reels. Ah heck, while I'm at it any preferences on rodholders would also be a big help!

[ETT]

Rods 7' for mono, 8 or 81/2' downrigger style for Fireline or super braids.
Reels LC 27 SG or Okuma 20 DX check out both, you'll probably have a preference.
Rod holders: alot of pros use Fish Ons, but my favorites are Bert's Custom Tackle if you have agunnel to mount them on.
Get acopy of Precision Trolling. It will be the best 25 bucks you spend, for getting fish in the boat.

[Predator NE]

I would agree with everything ETT said, I would also add try to match the line size to what is in the precision trolling guide. My preference is 12 lb Super silver thread. It is strong abrasion resistant, has great knot strength and I can get it in 3000 yard spools (for line hungry line counters)for $15.00.

In the trolling guide they use 10lb Berkly XT but I really don't like XT. It is not smooth and will break fairly easily when nicked. Most other 12 lb monofilaments are the same size as 10lb XT because XT is a very fat line for it's weight rating.


Pred

[jeff reed]

That's because 10# XT is an IGFA line in the 16# pound class. It's also the line which the Precision Trolling book by Mark Romanack is centered around. Bottom line is, if you want to know what depth your crank baits are running, one must know the diameter of the line he is using or use XT line.

[Predator NE]

I want to add one more thing.

When you put the line on the Daiwa's (my preference) fill them till the line is even with the spool edge.

Then find a spot, backyard or drive, measure out a spot that is 100ft long and pull out line till you hit that mark. Take off 25 feet of line for every foot you are short, till you are reading accurately.

If you over filled it (preferable to remove line to calibrate) you will get a reading in the high 90's when pulled out to the 100 ft mark. How ever if there is not enough line on the spool you will read over 100 when pulled out to 100 ft. Then you have the joy-full task of pulling off 400 ft of line to add more line from that point. Hard to do so, over fill the spool, then remove a little line.

I will add I have one Okuma line counter reel, great reel also, but the Daiwa SG27 still has the edge, they have a much smoother drag.

With the Okuma's the spool has different sizes on both sides, fill to even with left side of the spool edge.

Pred

[Todd_NE]

I'm wanting to buy 2 trolling rods and reels for longlining crankbaits and possibly boards. Any suggestions on the best rod lenght and action.

For longlining and Planer boards both, you can't beat the Bass Pro Parsons & Kavejecz telescoping models in 7'6", 8', or 8'6". The have soft tips that are yet strong enough and the backbone is tremendous. Many companies make similar rods also. These rods work well for mono or fireline, with or without boards. I also suggest you get the longest rod up to 8'6" you are comfortable with, I prefer to get the "widest" spread possible and feasible.

I would also like to hear preferences on line counter reels.

Daiwa, hands down. If price is a concern at all, go with another like Okuma.

Ah heck, while I'm at it any preferences on rodholders would also be a big help!

I like Fish-On, but there are lots of good rod holders, make sure they're mounted in positions that are useful and you can get the rod height you want in the mounting position.

Good luck!

Todd

[Scott F.]

If you go with the Penn 855 LC's you don't need to worry about the inherent error in mechanical LC's. The reel is accurate top to bottom because of the spooling process (calibration). The end result is that if the precision trolling book says 165 feet -- you're there. The reels also recently came down in price. Check them out.

Good Luck

[ETT]

The book gives you the dia of 10# XT and has a convesion chart to let you know how to adjust to other diameters. Very complete and imformative. Especially beneficial for beginers.

[Eyez]

One note on the Okuma's. Buy them from a place that you know will let you exchange them if they break, and take care of the warranty card. I bought 2 this spring, and one was broke right out of the box. I got it replaced, but now the counters don't work on either of mine. I have to hit the reel on the palm of my hand to make the counter engage. I'm not going to try to get them replaced, mostly because I should have bought the Diawa's in the first place for the amount of trolling that I do, and I'm just going to buy new Diawa's for next spring.


Eyez

[winnerz880]

If you intend to go on large lakes like Lake Michigan where the water can get quite rough, a rod length that allows you to reach the top and untangle line at the tip is my choice. I made my own downrigger rods from blanks and made them 7'9" long. I found the length adequate to handle the fish and much easier to manage line tangles at tip.