Line counter accuracy

I have never checked my line counter for accuracy but did today and got a real suprise.

The other night I was out trolling with a friend and he had 100ft out with the same line and lure than I.

He was at the start catching more fish than I.

I asked him how much line he had out and he stated 100ft.

I had to real some line in to get the same amount of bites.

So, today I thought I would check the accuracy of my line counter reels and found the facts below

1- line counter says 146 ft out and I measured out exactly 100ft.

2-line counter says 186 ft out with 100 ft measured.

So, both reels are letting out way more line than the counter.

I realize that I can and do change amount of feet to find the fish that bite but, If I am catching fish or him and we ask each other how much line are you letting out, it I guess really means nothing.

Are these line counters all so different? I have never checked one that was new before I used it.

Is there a way to adjust the counters so what it states is what it is?

No real value to a line counter if they are not accurate.

Your never really going to get it perfect, make sure you spool them with the same amount of line so they count the same then do what you just said take some actual measurements and see where you add up. Its more for a repeatability number to hit rather then actual feet.

which brand reel are u using?

Mine have never been that far off but they are usually about 10′ off.

I’m using Diawa Accudepth reels.

I just got off the phone with Diawa.

I asked them why there would be such a difference and then asked if the amount of line on the spool makes a big difference.

The answer was yes, the spool has to be full for the line counter to be accurate.

I didn’t fill the spool as I did not see any reason why I needed a full spool with so much line I would never use.

Well, today I will re spool my line counter reels so they are full.

I guess I should not have been so cheap and filled the spools all the way.

Do they both have the same amount of line on the spool? It seems like I buy all of my linecounters in pairs now and I set them up identical with the same amount of backing and then fill them with line until they are full. I know they are full when I can measure out 100 feet and the linecounter reads 100 feet.

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I guess I should not have been so cheap and filled the spools all the way.

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or worse fill it all the way and loose 200ft I need to respool also

You don’t need to fill your spool with the line you intend to troll with, make sure you put equal amount of backing on the spool, like 10# mono, then put 200 feet of whatever you are going to troll with. Great tip. I guess I should measure as well just to make sure.

Are you using braid Tom? I know braid is slick and mine are very erratic with braid…

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You don’t need to fill your spool with the line you intend to troll with, make sure you put equal amount of backing on the spool, like 10# mono, then put 200 feet of whatever you are going to troll with. Great tip. I guess I should measure as well just to make sure.

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Calvin nailed it. I usually fill my reels with cheap 20# backing and then put just 200′ or so of the expensive braid or whatever I want on the reel.

Like everyone else said, the key it to make sure you’ve got the exact same amount on all reels.

I just spooled up a full spool of line and recheck the counter.

Amazing, 100ft measured out and 100ft on the counter.

Looks like the other spool which was also filled part way will be filled.

Now if I or another in the boat says they have 100ft out, we will be the same as long as his spool is full and it is.

Yes, Tom, I use braid on both.

I simply did not have my spools filled or the same on each either.

Old dogs can learn new tricks yet I guess.

I know who you were fishing with Tom and I know his reel wasn’t spooled to capacity either, so you two may not have been as far off as you thought.

I just went through this exercise a month ago when I put new line on on my counters. From my garage door to the curb at the end of my driveway is 90′ so that was my benchmark. Walk the line down the driveway and check the counter.

I have a Garcia 5500LC that I can almost get spot on.

My Daiwa Sealine 17s are reading more line out than what the counter says, and the spools are darn near full.

What line you are using will have an affect as well as the diameters are different for different lb tests.

If your counters are reading more than what the actual distance is, you need more line on the reel. If they are reading less than the actual distance, you have too much line on.

With two reels you can use them to your advantage to calibrate. Fill one in reverse – leader, line, and then backing. As it gets near full, measure the counter versus 100 feet on a tape measure. If the counter shows over 100, fill more, if under, take line off. Once accurate, reel off first reel and onto the second. But first zero out the counter on the second and make note of how much the counter runs for backing, line, and leader. Now use that info to fill the first.

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I know who you were fishing with Tom and I know his reel wasn’t spooled to capacity either, so you two may not have been as far off as you thought.

I just went through this exercise a month ago when I put new line on on my counters. From my garage door to the curb at the end of my driveway is 90′ so that was my benchmark. Walk the line down the driveway and check the counter.

I have a Garcia 5500LC that I can almost get spot on.

My Daiwa Sealine 17s are reading more line out than what the counter says, and the spools are darn near full.

What line you are using will have an affect as well as the diameters are different for different lb tests.

If your counters are reading more than what the actual distance is, you need more line on the reel. If they are reading less than the actual distance, you have too much line on.

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When we were out, it sure looked like Jeff’s spool was full or at least darn close. In fact we were talking about how the reels can be off that night fishing and Jeff said his were awful close.

After respooling both reels, they are now spot on. I at least know mine are correct. I have the same line on both of my line counter rods.

Before I respooled them both, they were about a quarter full at the most. More than enough to fish with but not near enough for an accurate line counter.

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With two reels you can use them to your advantage to calibrate. Fill one in reverse – leader, line, and then backing. As it gets near full, measure the counter versus 100 feet on a tape measure. If the counter shows over 100, fill more, if under, take line off. Once accurate, reel off first reel and onto the second. But first zero out the counter on the second and make note of how much the counter runs for backing, line, and leader. Now use that info to fill the first.

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Yep, that works pretty slick.

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I know who you were fishing with Tom and I know his reel wasn’t spooled to capacity either, so you two may not have been as far off as you thought.

I just went through this exercise a month ago when I put new line on on my counters. From my garage door to the curb at the end of my driveway is 90′ so that was my benchmark. Walk the line down the driveway and check the counter.

I have a Garcia 5500LC that I can almost get spot on.

My Daiwa Sealine 17s are reading more line out than what the counter says, and the spools are darn near full.

What line you are using will have an affect as well as the diameters are different for different lb tests.

If your counters are reading more than what the actual distance is, you need more line on the reel. If they are reading less than the actual distance, you have too much line on.

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When we were out, it sure looked like Jeff’s spool was full or at least darn close. In fact we were talking about how the reels can be off that night fishing and Jeff said his were awful close.

After respooling both reels, they are now spot on. I at least know mine are correct. I have the same line on both of my line counter rods.

Before I respooled them both, they were about a quarter full at the most. More than enough to fish with but not near enough for an accurate line counter.

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If you are using accudepths, don’t expect them to stay spot on for long. Every one I’ve ever had has had the counter go skippy on it where the numbers start to catch and not flip all the time. I had four that were repaired once, two twice, and then replaced with better reels and now sit on the shelf as dust collectors.

And believe me John is hard on reels!

I am sure in the near future if any of my reel counters go bad, I will be buying a better reel.

I hyave had the 2 I have now for 3 years and they seem to still work fine.

Tom check this out. This is what I did to all my line counters. Glenn

http://www.walleyekid.com/calibrate_your_reels