Line counter

I've been using line counter reels long enough to know that accuracy can vary and often depends on how full your spool is. I've been thinking about buying a couple of those line counters that strap on the rod to double check distances. Has anybody used these? Are they worth a shot or are they junk?

I think it's ugly sticks.

Mainly just using it to double check the accuracy of my line counter reels while trolling, it really is close to a precision game anymore and a 10-20 foot discrepancy could make the difference between catching fish and catching bottom at times.

I understand the reasons why you would liek the reels to be double checked for accuracy, how ever i think that is not somthing that should be worried about. Here is why.

I use to be worried about the exacte number of feet out, Then after years of beating my brain on that i realized that it isnt super critical the number of feet out you are, it is important you can repeat what is working.

example: say you have 150 foot of line out, but your line counter says 180 feet (I dont think they are that inaccurate but they will be off some)With the counter reading 180 feet pretend you are catching fish left and right, awesome you bring in a fish and then set the bait to 180 again and get another fish... what was important was you could repeat what you were doing. I believe i am like alot of trollers that you set a spread at different depth and find the zone that works, then you work all the other baits closer to that zone... So repeatability is the key for successful fishing, because i use to try to get the numbers exact to the "T" and found when compaired to the trollers bible they could be off a 5 feet or more on depth. They are good ball parks but somtimes it takes just a little bit of a change to throw the dive curve out the window (the hiegth of rod tip out of water, the size of snap, if there is a swivle, different brand of line between reels...)

I have clip on counters for a few rods that dont have counter reels, never checked to see how accurate they are but there is a few flaws with them. The tension adjustment can lead to the line sinking in to the drive wheel and change the circum. of the circle, to loose the line slips and not move the counter, or it can pop out the counter itself... Great inexpensivetool for reference

Use the counter as a way to repeat what is working thats my advise. Also Fisherlady2 had some real good advise on finding the sweet spots if you absolutly need to know feet out

All the walleye are dead anyway.....stay home

Ya, I do the same, the problem is when different rods are measuring different distances. I'm definitely staying with line counter reels, just want to check their accuracy. I love my Precision Trolling book, but if your reels aren't accurate it's pointless. Say you have one that's hitting fish at 120' back with a dipsy. Now you want to duplicate that on a few other rods, if they're off by 20' at that distance you may be dragging bottom or fishing above the fish. The difference may be even more pronounced depending on the lateral dipsy setting. Say the one that's picking up fish is 120' back on a 0 setting, to get to the same depth you may have to run a 3 setting back 160'. It's really not that big of a deal, more of a curiosity. I know I have a couple that I cheaped out on the amount of line. If it were a really big deal I'd just go buy another bulk spool of Power Pro and even up the spools on my rods. I'll do some measuring and let you know how big of a difference there is in the rods...

I spool each rod with the same amount of backing and the same amount of PP. That coupled with Identical reels helps me with repeatability as Paul said. That is more important than knowing actual depths. Start shallower and run deeper as we all know eyes chase up not down, find the magic numbers and stick with em.
 
 

IMO, thats overkill and unecessary...just sayin'

The guy claims that he is now going to be able to catch alot more fish...I call total BS on that one...At 100' of line out, how much difference do you REALLY think another 10 to 17' is going to make in depth? 1 or 2 feet TOPS! As Nuke said....those fish hit up....I'd say the zone is within 10 feet of those fish depending upon how they are feeding. You DO NOT, however, NEED to put that bait right on their noses most of the time.

ORIGINAL: kingnuke32

I spool each rod with the same amount of backing and the same amount of PP. That coupled with Identical reels helps me with repeatability as Paul said. That is more important than knowing actual depths. Start shallower and run deeper as we all know eyes chase up not down, find the magic numbers and stick with em.

That's my problem, I cheaped out on the amount of line on a couple of reels. I don't really care that the counters are accurate as much as consistent. It's easy to put a line back where it was, but trying to match it on another is the problem. I'm thinking I'll just re-spool the reels that are short on line, should fix the dilemma...

ORIGINAL: ShutUpNFish

IMO, thats overkill and unecessary...just sayin'

The guy claims that he is now going to be able to catch alot more fish...I call total BS on that one...At 100' of line out, how much difference do you REALLY think another 10 to 17' is going to make in depth? 1 or 2 feet TOPS! As Nuke said....those fish hit up....I'd say the zone is within 10 feet of those fish depending upon how they are feeding. You DO NOT, however, NEED to put that bait right on their noses most of the time.

 
 
it may be overkill but it works.  alot of things we do to catch fish could probably be considered overkill.  do i need 300 crankbaits?  probably not. i think i am just obsessed with this stuff.

spool dia my shakes are different than the 47 and have 1 27lc and its different the best thing is use the same reels and line on all mono floats high braid does not and dia makes a big difference i have been using #20 lb power pro for dips and have hade many days of limit catches