need advice on trolling reels

[hntrfshr]

LOOKING TO PURCHASE DIAWA LINE COUNTER REELS. NOT SURE WHETHER TO GET THE SG27LC, OR LCW(DOUBLE HANDLE.) ANY DIFFERENCE? WAS TOLD THE GEAR RATIOS ARE DIFFERENT BY SOME, BUT THE INFO I READ SHOWED THAT THEY WERE THE SAME. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Chad]

Same reels just the LCW has an extra handle.

[Dave in Mpls]

Chad is correct - they are the same reel, but the SG27LCW comes with two handles. I put the double handles on when I got mine, but have since switched them all back to the single handles. The double handes are shorter than the single, and I found that it was easier to reel with the single ones (more leverage) when reeling in large, deep running cranks.

Regards

[Jim Carroll]

I'm with Dave on this one, I like the single handle but it really comes down to personal preference. I have 12 walleye handles and I thought I'd put them on ebay and hold a dutch auction to be rid of them, but if you would like one send me an email and we can work something out. JC

[Ed]

Before you buy those Diawa reels, check out the line counters from a company called Okuma. They are a company out of California and their Line counters are super. I was going to buy six Diawa reels to outfit my boat when a friend turned me on to the Okuma reels. Bought them instead. Magda Pro 30 DX is the ball bearing model. got them for $51.00 ea. In my opinion these reels have it all over the Diawa reels. Paired them up with Cabelas Depthmaster trolling rods 8'6". These reels have similar features and ratios. Talked to several Lake Erie guides here in NE Ohio They all agree these are the reels to buy. If interested I can probably get you a similar deal on the reels. You can E-mail me if interested.

Good Luck, Ed

[Will]

I have to agree on the Okumas. They seem to be really gaining in popularity. If you arn't a charter captain, the Okumas should do fine. I have seen a good selection of them on FishUSA.com - both the Magda "D" series and the "DX" series line counters.

[Boatnut]

I've used the okuma and the daiwa's side by side. No comparison. hands down, Daiwa rules!
my 2 cents.
Mike(boatnut)

[Dave in Mpls]

Once upon a time I bought a Okuma Magdo Pro 30 DX, or something like that. Whatever one has the bearings as opposed to the bushings. To start with, it had to be sent back to Okuma to be recalibrated. A week later, the counter stopped working all together. A month after getting it back, the level wind wouldn't engage.

Three Daiwa's two years later - no problems.

You DO get what you pay for.

Regards