Shakespeare Line counter

[WIF]

Is the Shakespeare line counter that attaches to the rod a good product? Seems like a good idea, but does it work?

[Kevin/CO]

I have one and its a bit tempermental. You have to make sure that the line is locked in well and that the counter wheel is turning cause atleast with fireline the counter doesn't grip well.

[Gillman911]

I have one and I am real unhappy with it. Measured it in my back yard against two of my 27LC and my buddy's Okuma. All measured the same except for the Shakespeare which progressively deviated from the others. Off by 7' with 40' out and off by about 30' with 150' out. I made a chart so I could compensate for for the inacuracy but was further disappointed when the line got stuck under the wire that holds it in the slot. This happened several times including once when I had a fish on. They also occaisionally lose count or stop counting. I use 10lb XT and 20lb Fireline. It happened with both. Wish I had put my money towards another 27LC. Good Luck

[chadk66]

I tried one with very little luck too. worked good the first couple let outs and couldn't get it to work after.

[Sunshine]

I totally disagree with the previous statements. I've been using the Shakespeare line counters for three years now and like them. The main reason that I started using them was because I like using left handed reels and no one offers left handed line counters.

The Shakespeare line counters work good for me. 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 disappointed. I love mine. 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 "specialty" reels.

The main purpose of any line counter, whether it be a reel or an add-on, is to get you back to the previous line length that you were at. All counters I've tried do a good job with this. I take exception to the statement that Shakespeare's line counter is not accurate. The previous reply stated " that he measured it in his yard against two 27LC and his buddy's Okuma. I also went to my back yard and measured lengths. The Shakespeare line counter worked accurately for me. I wonder if he used a tape measure or just assumed that the other reels were accurate?

My understanding is that line counters like the Shakespeare are more accurate because they measure the line passing over the roller. Line counter reels measure by spool revolutions, nothing else. So all reels must have the same diameter line and the exact amount of line on each reel for you to have the same amount of line out. If you measure 20 pound test mono at 200' and then measure 10 pound mono at 200', you will not get the same lengths because of the line diameter difference. This is a problem with all of the reels on the market as far as I know. This inherent problem with the reels does not occur with add on line counters.

The only problem that I have experienced is in freezing temperatures. I have had them freeze up on me but solved this by having an extra one in my pocket to thaw out while using others. I should also note that most of mine are originals and know that quality control has been an issue lately. It's possible that the previous posts unluckily received bad ones.

[Tallmike]

For those of you who do not wish to buy either a line counter reel or a clip on line counter, there is a method told to me by a friend, where you can get reasonably close on estimation of how much line you have out. Assuming you have a reel on which the line guide oscillates back and forth when you click the spool release, just have a helper pull out eighty feet of line off your reel and count the number of passes the line guide makes and then when out in the boat replicate the same. Just be sure to remeasure in case you have a tear off and no this is not meant to be totally precision, just a cheap and easy method. I am soon to purchase an Abu Ambassadeur in the 6501 size (to get the spool clicker for trolling) and plan on doing just this same method. I also am extremely disappointed that Daiwa does not caiter to those of us who like to crank with our left hands. Abu does. My two cents. (cheap!)

[Marcellus Bodi]

Hi,
I have 4 Shakespeare Linecounters and I love mine and I use Fireline With mine.I like them because they work in and out.I use them for Walleye and Salmon.