So, after just replying to a post on FB about an Okuma Coldwater Reel (built in line counter), I noticed more and more people are using them, or other LC reels, these days.
I have 2 I use for spoon fishing I particulary like fishing suspended fish. I normally drop well below them before I start cranking in, so the accuracy is not as critical
as it should be for guys using them downrod fishing. Unless you have a very specific size and amount of line for that particular reel, the counter will be off. Almost
always, if it is off, its going to read deeper than the actual depth as it bases its measurement on rotations of the spool and as line goes out the diameteter of the spool
decreases and less line goes out with each rotation.
I have some free time on my hands right now and got to thinking. LOL
Instead of trying to keep a very full spool on the reel with a specific diameter to keep the accuracy close, why not just calibrate the counter to match whats on there
regardless of size or amount of line?
First, hover over a set depth of water, preferably close to the depth you will want your baits at. For right now in late summer, say 70’.
Zero out the reel at the surface, then drop to the bottom. And note the reel counter depth. Let’s say it shows 80’.
Bring your line all the way back to where you started and the counter shows 000. Then pull off 10’ ( the difference beween the actual depth and the reel counter).
Zero the counter on the reel again with the line 10’ down and reel in. Your counter will now show 990, but will be accurate in the depths you are looking to fish.
This way would aliviate all the pains to try and keep the spool filled to a very specific amount of line to make the counter accurate and you could easily re-calibrate it
anytime you needed as you loose line due to snags or whatever.
In all seriousness though. What i have found about line counters is they all break eventually. They are all usually ran off from 2 tiny plastic gears that over time wear along with a spring that is used to reset the counter…and please if anyone really loves them DO NOT CAST THEM. They are not made to keep up with that kind of spool speed…also be very careful what you use to clean them with. One cleaner may work fine on a reel when the same cleaner may fog or eat away at the clear plastic screen on the counter of another brand of reel…
Tim to honest that is a great idea to calibrate them. If you have the time to do so.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
Thinking about it now, I think I can see a situation where accurate line counters would be nice as opposed to just watching the FF.
When guiding I’m guessing most parties want to set the down rods out themselves? Of course, you can always double check them on the screen and adjust, but seems like it would be nice to hand them each a rod and say “set this one down xx’)” and not have to go around adjusting.
Some people, no matter how many times you show them how to pull off 2’, are going to strip about 6" each pull… LOL
Lol thats right…i hand them rods and say drop to the bottom reel up either 5 or 8 cranks (i only use those 2 measurements)…lol…this also why i only target fish that are on the bottom or 10 or so feet off the bottom. Too much effort and very mistake prone fishing suspended fish with inexperienced anglers…
Then i look over and there sets a line on the depth finder 30’ off the bottom…ha…then look them over good and pick out who probably doesnt follow directions well and ask them to lift their line up (we all know this creates a bite sometimes) and you use that as an excuse to see if that out of place line on the depth finder moves…98% of the time my guess on the person is usually right…lol…
Then you ask them to drop back to the bottom…all the while they are getting some hands on time on the reel…
Its all a game. Some days its harder than others to get everyone on the same playbook…but nothing better than seeing smiles and laughs through out the day.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
I have several aftermarket line counters that are very accurate. They don’t count spool turns but have a wheel that contacts the line and measures by the foot. Quite accurate. I mostly used it to target suspended deep water fish - so I could stop the drop where I wanted to.
I have several aftermarket line counters that are very accurate. They don’t count spool turns but have a wheel that contacts the line and measures by the foot. Quite accurate. I mostly used it to target suspended deep water fish - so I could stop the drop where I wanted to.
That’s definately the ideal way to go since it eliminates all the other variables, but every time I have heard anything about them it was most negative.
Do you have the info on the specific ones you use?
I might would add them to my bait rods if I found a good stand alone counter.
The way I spool mine is I take the line capacity marked on the reel and then add 100’ … I leave the reel tied to the line and then I have marked off 100’ in my basement (you can use your driveway, but be careful not to nick the mainline) and I walk off the 100’ …
If the line counter reads MORE than 100’ I ADD line … If the line counter reads LESS than 100’ then I TAKE OFF line …
In either case, I use a ratio of 10 feet for every foot over/under … i.e. if counter reads 101, then I ADD 10’ of line and remeasure … if counter reads 99, then I TAKE OFF 10’ and remeasure …
Once I get it dead on - I add 50’ … I do this because over time the line on the spool compacts and that will affect the counter …
As you use the reels after that you will strip off line to “freshen” it up for nicks and whatnot - I always try to do that in 10’ increments … After a season I respool the reels using a spare and then running from one reel to the other so the unused line is on top of the respooled reel …
All this is giving me a headache! I just watch my graph and tell folks to adjust accordingly. I tell them, if fishing with an LC, to make note of the reading if the counter was zeroed. If we get a good bite there, do it again.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
