What's a good line-counting reel for trolling?

I’m looking to put together an inexpensive trolling setup for Muskie lures. What’s a good line-counting reel to get? I’m not a fan of the big palm turning handle knob and prefer the more traditional 2 handle finger/thumb retrieve setup.

I was thinking something like an Okuma Convector Trolling Reel?

If you don’t like the bigger reels you could check out the OKuma Cold Water Low Profile Reels. Ive used them for lake trout as the down rigger rods/reels and really like them. I just use the Regular Cold Water reels for my musky trolling setups, but they have a power handle and are large in size.

I think the Cold Water Low Pro would be a good one for you.

Cold Water Low Profile Line Counter

i’ve tried way too many, and researched this entirely too much.

i haven’t used them myself, but friends have brought the Okuma Convector in my boat. seem durable, the clicker is very loud, and they offer a high-speed retrieve versions of 37″ and 40″ which is very nice. the one limitation to me appeared to be the drag adjustment was difficult to get light enough to allow line out on a strike but still be tight enough to not get pulled out by hard-pulling baits or big planer boards; seems like we were constantly adjusting the drags.

another inexpensive option i’ve used a bunch is the Daiwa Sealine. pretty bombproof, good drag adjustability, and a very loud clicker. one limitation is the lower retrieve rate of only 24″ and one consistent issue i’ve had is the line guide insert pops out in cold weather after a couple years and i needed to glue them back in. there’s a bunch of different versions, the one that comes with a double-paddle handle is SG27LC3BW.

in my experience, the Shimano Tekota has been the best hands down, but it doesn’t qualify as inexpensive. the standard size is only 25″/crank, but the larger ones go up to 33″. the limitations i’ve found are a somewhat quiet clicker and right-hand crank only, but the new models coming out have a louder clicker and are available in left-side wind. i’ll be selling a few back-ups this winter and adding a couple of the new Tekotas.

Michael C. Winther wrote:

in my experience, the Shimano Tekota has been the best hands down, but it doesn’t qualify as inexpensive. the standard size is only 25″/crank, but the larger ones go up to 33″. the limitations i’ve found are a somewhat quiet clicker and right-hand crank only, but the new models coming out have a louder clicker and are available in left-side wind. i’ll be selling a few back-ups this winter and adding a couple of the new Tekotas.

I really wish there were more reviews onvthe Diawa Saltist LCs. They are easily comparable to the Tekotas and have a faster retrieve. 6 or 6.2:1 I believe. If pulling lead or copper, faster retrieve is my preference. Unfortunately at $180 for the Saltist, it’s on the high end of the price range as well.

I have plenty of Sealines and like them all. I just want to see if the grass is greener on the other side. My next trolling reels will either be Saltist or Coldwater.

I’ve got Okuma Convectors for Salmon fishing the they do work really well for musky trolling as well. You can do a drag upgrade and improve an already pretty good drag.

I’ve also got some Diawa Saltist reels and they are awesome reels for long lengths of lead and copper, but mine are really large, so I haven’t tried them for Musky trolling. The drags are great! My only complaint on these reels is the line counter hits me in the wrist and can be pretty uncomfortable when fighting large fish. Love the high speed retrieve and buttery drags though……..

thx for the info!