Line Counters

Maybe I’m just a cheapskate…..

Instead of spending $80-$100 on line counter reels, I bought 2 Shakespeare line counters that attach to any rod. They seem to work pretty well for trolling cranks. I’ve been using them with everything from a big Mitchell spinning reel and 12′ rod that I usually use for surf casting on lake superior to G-Loomis trolling rods with an Ambassador 6500. I’ve even used them with an old Shimano bait caster.

You can also remove them once your baits are back and use them on another setup.

Hard to beat for $12 a piece!!

Check the accuracy of those units against themselves. Very often you’ll find their outright accuracy and repeatability from one pass to the next is quite dismal. I’ve owned them in the past and simply gave up on them. Too inaccurate and actually quite delicate as they typically stopped counting in a rather short amount of time.

If there’s a substitute for a good linecounter, a durable and accurate one, I’ve not found it or heard of it on the market. If they’ve done something to change that with those clip-ons, let us know….

I have one of the clamp-on line counters, but haven’t used it much. When I have, it hasn’t caused me any problems, and it seems to re-zero when I reel in, which would (to me) indicate that it’s repeatable, if not accurate. If you’re using a trolling guide, accuracy is king, but if you’re experimenting to find the fish and then sticking with it, repeatability is good ’nuff.

Another good trick is to use 2 or 4lb mono to tie bobber-stop knots every 10 yards or so, although this pretty much has to be done on the water and costs time.

James ,What do you use for your line on your line counters on the Mississippi ? thanks

Spiderwire. Won’t use anything but. Puts fireline, which does troll well in less abusive conditions, to absolute shame as far as durability and life-cycle is concerned. I use the 6# diameter line.

Another option you will want to consider. Abu Garcia will be introducing a line counter early this spring. You will be able to add on the line counter portion to your 6500. By simply removing the side plate of the reel (3 screws) and adding the line counter, you will have a quality reel with an excelent line counter. The 6500 will also be sold with the LC already installed.

The LC portion for the 6500’s will retail for $39.95. The 6500 with the LC will be right around $100.

Can’t wait. I love my Abu Garcia’s!

Jon J.

I agree, I love my 6500. Where do think the new LC’s will be available? I’ve got 3 6500’s in the boat already.

I’m pretty sure you will start seeing them at the spring sports shows. I’d expect to see them at the “Walleye Expo” in Feb.

Once they are out, I’m sure they will be available everywhere, including Cabelas and all the local outdoor stores like Gander and Galyans. Or anywhere you now buy Abu Garcia.

Jon J.

Another thing with line counter is make sure you sight them in like a rifle, especially if you go with using a trolling bible for depths and line set backs. If you have all the same reels make sure you check them against themselves. By that I mean even if you don’t have the same amount of line on each reel your line counter will read totally different. Line counters go by revolutions the more line you have on spool more line goes out per revolution. I found out the hard way. Some one correct me if I am wrong. I would check each reel by measuring out 100′. Then I would make my little boy run out to that bench mark to see if my counter would read 100′. Poor Guy! I did that to each reel. Keep in mind that if someone tells you that they are 150′ back that doesn’t necessarly mean that he/she was actually 150′ back, linecounter only said 150′. Just me two cents and hope that makes sense.