Diawa Sealine size and how to use?

[311Hemi]

I just picked up a Diawa Sealine SG27LC and have a few questions on use and if I got the right size based on the majority of lures I use.

First of all, with a line counter should you be able to cast at all? I had on a #5 shad and I don't see any way with the weight of the spool with line on it that it will cast a lure that light, or any lure that I would really use.

If I am going to troll lighter raps (all walleye fishing) is there any benefit to going with the SG17. Looks like the max drag on the SG17 is 8 lb and the max on the SG27 is 14lb, not sure how this translates to what I would actually need. I mainly pull #5's and #7 shads, and other lures in that same size/weight class.

I was told to adjust the spool tension so that my lure just starts to slowly fall when help out of water, is that the correct adjustment? It seemed like there was very little room for adjustment (even though you can turn that knob a good amount in either direction) from what stopped the lure from dropping to what allowed it to move. Obviously if I had the lure in the water and pulled forward with that set to light the spool would keep turning and unwind additional line so I kept my thumb on it to keep that from happening.

Can anyone explain the proper use of these reels a little more? I have only used spinning reels for the past 20 years....so this is somewhat new!!!

[fishwater]

Line counters are not meant to be cast at all, basically you just drop line out of them. I use the 17's for braid, 27's for 5 colors of lead, 47's for 10 colors.

[PerchJerker]

I agree, don't try casting a linecounter .... you're just asking for trouble.

Since I don't cast my linecounters I have the spool tension about as loose as it will go --- I drop my lure in the water and let it start taking out line. I usually thumb the spool to make sure I don't get overruns or backlashes.

I've got a couple 17s and a couple 27s. I use the 17s for flatlining with braid -- the reels are smaller and lighter weight and if you're going to be holding the rod in your hand I prefer that size reel.

I use my 27's for leacore and planer boards --- applications where you let out the line and put the rod in a rod holder and leave it there.

I have used my 17's for planer boards and my 27s for flatline trolling --- it works fine, I just prefer the 17 for one and the 27 for the other.

When I'm trolling I engage the clicker on the reel, that way if I get snagged or get hit by a fish the clicker will alert me. I flip the clicker off as soon as I start reeling in, I just don't care for the noise. I've got a couple fishing buddies that like to leave the clickers on (to annoy me), I don't care too much for them either

Make sure you have the reel filled to capacity, that's what the reel is calibrated for and will give you the most accurate reading for how much line you have out.

That's about all their is to these reels. Make sure you have the drag set right and you should be good to go.