Measuring Trolling Line

[Carl]

I would like some tips on how to measure trolling line length without using a line counter. Is there someway to mark the mono line, say with a marking pen, that will let you troll the exact length of line each time. With multiple lines out I would like to have them all at the same length. Any tricks of the trade anyone would like to share would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Gilligan]

If you have a level wind reel measure amount of line for a full pass. On a spin reel measure the amount of line for 1 full back reel. It works but is alot of work. If I couldnt swing line counters I would give those add on line counters that you can find in Cabelas or BP for a couple$'s.

[REELMAN]

Might want to try tying rubber bands on your line at say 100 feet 125 feet, and 150 feet. The rubber bands work pretty well you just have to keep an eye on them so they aren't slipping going through the guides, usually they don't.

[Gilligan]

That post got me thinking.. try the charteuse slip bobber stops.

[Borch]

I usualy use the level wind and count passesor use the bobber stop at 100' and 150'. If I let out more than the stop I add passes like 100' + 3 passes.

[Jack]

Mark a spot 24" out from your level wind on the front of the reel on your rod , I use a 1" wide strip of duct tape . Grasp the line between your thumb and fore finger and pull it out to the tape mark on your rod . You want to fish 30' behind the board ? Reel the bait to the rod tip , give the line 15 pulls which equals 30' , put the board on and your good to go . This system has worked for me for thr last four seasons .

[Marken]

I've used them for a number of years. Have stops set at 60', 80' and 120' and it worked quite well. Just make sure the knots are tight and also to adjust if you re-tie. Nothing cheaper.

[Jim K]

I've been experimenting with this the last year or so, and have tried marking my line (comes off real fast), tying on bobber stops (tends to slip on fire line. You might have better luck with mono) and the small mechanical add on device made by Shakespeare.

I am extremely happy with the linecounter, it's cheap, accurate, easy to use, and surprizingly trustworthy. Plus you know exactly how much line you got out at any point.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Phil]

Carl I found out the hard way last year counting the line guide is not reliable. the less line you have on your real the less goes out per past. If you figure out how much line goes out when your reel is full is find but when you have to start cutting line of because tangles an nicks in the line the line out per past changes. I had a reel that let out ten feet per past when it was full well I found out that when I lost half my line it would only let out five feet per past.
I found a line counter that could be attach to your rood to count the line out . Its made by shakespeare. Its in cabelas master catalog on pg105 an its real accuerate. I check it with a tape measure. When your done with one rood you can put it on the next line your letting out.

[whitetips]

If you can get a long tape measure a lay it out . Pull out 100ft and mark with a hiVis red or blue Perm marker every 10 ft. Did that with 2 Dipsey Diver rigs. Do it enough times and if you get a tangle there is enough to still fish effectively.

[Roger R]

I don't know if this will help, but when we bottom fish out in the gulf some times we mark our line by measureing out 20 feet and put a nail on the dock 20 feet apart then loop the line around and around the 2 nails until you either run out of string or got enough out . then you can spray paint or mark w/ one of those markers the line at each nail then you have 20' markers.
works good when you need 140 ft of in out to get to the big boys.
good luck when you hit da water!!

[spoonplugger]

Try some NO-BO trolling line it has a six inch section of different colored line every 10 yards. It comes in 12,17 or 20 lb..You can get it at.http://www.americaoutdoors.com/spoonplugger/spoonplugs.htm

[carl]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[ezmarc]

A friend of mine uses a sweeping motion the whole length of the boat. 20 foot boat equals a 20 foot sweep, etc. It's not real scientific but it works for him. Just make sure you let out too little line instead of too much. You just can't beat a good line counter though.