line counters/fireline

[Northman]

I just bought one of those little line counters that attach to your rod. I am thinking about using 10\4 fireline instead of mono. Will this line counter work as well with fireline or will the fireline slide through the plastic rotating element thus not registering the amount of line?

[BradB]

Good question! I'd like to know as well.

I'm looking to buy a couple add-on line counters. What kind did you get and/or what kind would you recommend?

Like Northman I plan to troll with 10/4 or a size higher Fireline.

Brad

[chadk66]

don't waste your money on em. I had one, didn't make the first trip. Others have posted the same results. Better off forkin out the dough for a linecounter reel.

[mikemcadams]

I have used the Shakespear mechanical counters with success on Fireline by tightening the screw as tight as possible. Occasionaly it will stop counting on me and I have to start over but this doesn't happen too often. Another trick is to take a piece of foil from a cigarette pack (yes, I'm one of those nasty smokers :-)) and place it on the spool so that I can return to the same line length easily.

I live in VA and it took me some time to find LC reels, of which I still have only one ($$$), so I still use this method successfully.

Hope this helps,
Mike

[Ristorapper]

I sure hope you bump up to 14/6# fireline for cranking as I did. Found myself bringing back more snagged up cranks than with the 10/4 and have not noticed a decline in the fish on the end of the line. 10/4 is a great line for jigging however. just my 2 cents worth.

[Kevin/CO]

I have one and well its a bit tempermental. While the LC reels would be my preference I am just not careful enough with my gear to risk the dollars those take. The best bet if you stick with the line counters that you attach is to tighten it as much as possible as a previous post said and also just watch it. If it keeps counting the line then your good, if the dials stop either reel it in or subtract however much you think the counter missed and keep going. I'll stick with my cheapy counter till I get to the point where I am a bit more mindful and wealthy.