HELP! ROD ATTACHED LINE COUNTERS

[manitobawalleye]

I was wondering if anyone has tried the rod attached line counters such as the ones offered by cabelas. I would like to try the trolling game but up here it would mostly be as a little used alternative and do not want to buy a new reel just for this. I would also be running fireline and wondering how these counters work with this.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Bobk]

I have used the one that Shakespheare makes and it does very well Bobk

[Sunshine]

The "new" shakespere line counters work great. They stay on your rod, the line stays in place, they're easy to use, easy to read. Stay away from the battery operated ones if you see any ( I think they pulled them off the market). You won't be dissapointed. I love mine. Those that will say that you should take the plunge and buy a line counter reel haven't used one of these new counters. I can't say enough about them. They fill a very important void. Now I can use my favorite bait casting reels while trolling and I don't need to buy "speciality" reels.

[Sunshine]

Here's a homepage from shakespeare that I found that you can view to see the line counter that I'm refering to. Once again, I would stay away from the digital line counter and get the regular analog one listed.

http://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/tackle/count.html

[manitobawalleye]

thank you for the input
no one has mentioned how they operate with fireline though
any more help out there?

[EJ]

I tried rod line counters last year to save a few $. I found them to be very inconsistent when using 14/6 Fireline. Just picked up 2 Daiwa SG27's and can't wait to try them out.

[manitobawalleye]

thanks for the info
anymore out there

[chuck]

Why bother with line counter? Just measure out you pass on your reel & then use that as a way to count how how much line u have.

[Den]

The main thing with any line counter, whether it be a reel or a add on, and that is to get you back to the same amount of line out. so yes it will work with any diameter of line. it goes by the line passing over the roller, actually it is more accurate than the counter reels, they go by spool revolutions, nothing else. i hope that i dont start an argument here , but that is a proven fact. Both will get you back to the same amount of line that was previously out. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[EJ]

Den is right, what matters most is that you have a reference length you can work from and have a means by which you can consistently get back to that length. My point regarding clamp on line counters is that Fireline can slip on the wheel counters , but will be consistent with a line counter reel.

[Surgen]

I started out using rod attached line counters and I would agree that they may be more accurate if you're very careful running the line out. I would say they may also be more accurate using fireline since line counter reels are set up to use 12-14# test line for the best accuaracy. I went to line counters becuase they're much more robust and you can "click" your lures/boards out. Also, you probably won't lose your friend's clip on line counter like I did last Sunday because my fingers were too cold to be nimble. ;-)