Substitute for line counter

[Toba]

I don't know if I would really use a line counter enough to warrant buying a set up. Are there alternatives? The guy I will be fishing with has the trolling book. Can I just measure off line on my spinning reel?

[scott b]

you can buy a clip on line counter for around 12 bucks.

[PerchJerker]

It's really difficult to be precise measuring line off a spinning reel, but there are a few things you can do .......

- get a clip-on line counter, they're not the greatest thing ever but they're better than nothing, and they're not very expensive

- mark you line with a bobber stop or a colored marker at 50, 75, 100, 125 feet

- I've never used suffix metered trolling line, but I fished a lot with a guy who LOVED it. I don't think I ever saw him pick up a line counter reel again after he spooled up with the metered trolling line on another reel.

- figure out how far a "normal" cast is for you, and learn to repeat it. It's probably around 40-60 feet, the key is learning what a normal cast is, and being able to repeat it.

- figure out how much line comes off your reel each time you sweep the rod tip forward. It's probably about 8 feet, but do some experimenting and figure it out. Then all you need to do is count how many times you sweep the rod while letting out line, and mulitply.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[Ed Carlson]

Another option is Fireline Tracer Braid. Braid color alternates its Hi-vis/ Low-vis coloration in increments that measured 2.5' per color.

This feature breaks up the visibility in the water and prevents fish from detecting danger while allowing the angler to track the movements of the lure. The Radial Construction of Fireline Tracer Braid helps prevent line "dig in" on the spool.

Available in 8 diameter/30 test, 10/40, 12/50, 14/65, and 15/80.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Power Pro also now has a colored trolling line that is colored every so many feet.

[Jim Almquist]

- figure out how far a "normal" cast is for you, and learn to repeat it. It's probably around 40-60 feet, the key is learning what a normal cast is, and being able to repeat it.

Good luck, hope this helps.

This is how we did it and then make a couple of big sweeps to let out another 50-56 feet and if I did not catch anything I would let out a little more. If the fish were biting we would catch them and if they had lock jaw it really did not matter how much line you let out.

[Northlander]

I highly suggest getting a line counter reel. You can get some pretty good ones in the $55 range. The Diawa Accudepths are probably the best bang for the buck.

The line counters you mount on the rods are junk. At least the ones I tried in the past.

[Steve Foss]

I don't know if I would really use a line counter enough to warrant buying a set up. Are there alternatives? The guy I will be fishing with has the trolling book. Can I just measure off line on my spinning reel?

What are you fishing for? What depths will you be fishing? What type of line? What gear will you be using to get your lure deep? These are key questions that should be answered before we can really deliver targeted advice.

[jwmiller33]

Seeing that you referenced your friend using the precision trolling book, I assume you are wanting a line counter for trolling cranks/plugs. If so, another option you have is leadcore. For leadcore you would need a baitcaster style reel. I bought the one I have in my set up for $35 at the big C store, and it so happens to be a line counter as well. Worked great, but the line counter isn't really needed with leadcore, but it is nice to have.

To find out your depth, you go by the number of "colors" you have in the water. The line itself changes color ever 10 yards/30 ft. Each "color" of line you have in the water gets your bait down about 5 ft @ 2.0 mph. You will often hear guys say they were fishing X number of colors, (ex 4 colors means they were fishing 20 ft down). This method of fishing allows you to know your depth your fishing without having a linecounter.

[Esox_Magnum]

My opinion is get the right tool for the job. Okuma Magda line counters are inexpensive and work for what you'll do, pair it with a decent 8-14' rod and you have a great trolling set up for under $75 if you find the right deals. I run 12 trolling set ups depending on type of trolling I'm doing. Leadcore, longline and bouncer set ups.

[Toba]

I will be fishing walleye on the Mississippi. I have a few 7ft ML action with president reels. I have 20lb power pro on a few and 10lb power pro on one. Will be mostly fishing at 6-14 feet. I'm learning as I go.

[herefish101]

As stated above, get a trolling set up, it's worth it. I found a pretty good deal a couple years ago and got myself a pretty decent combo for about $60.00. Knowing exactly how much line you have out really makes a difference when you want to repeat a pattern, works way better than guessing. Good luck.

[mainbutter]

I can estimate line out pretty easily in lengths of 10 feet through simply flipping the bail, putting the lure in the water, and sweeping the rod tip from the water up to "about 10 feet high". If I let out "70 feet of line" and I'm off by 10 feet either way, I don't really care as I don't perform serious precision trolling, but it's close enough for me to estimate lure depth pretty well.

[Mike Stark]

cabelas has a trolling rod and line counter reel on sale now. i got a couple combos for 55 bucks each.

[jwmiller33]

cabelas has a trolling rod and line counter reel on sale now. i got a couple combos for 55 bucks each.

I bought this same setup last year. The Cabelas Depthmaster trolling rod and line counter reel. I bought two of the 8'6" planer board rods and run a accudepth line counter on one and a depthmaster line counter on the other rod and I have nothing but great things to say about both set ups. The Depthmaster rod and reel combo are a GREAT deal considering how much bang you get for your buck.

[jigginjerk]

When trolling with baitcasters I hook the end of my line to something and step off 100ft in my yard counting the number of passes on the spool. Mark it on the rod with a piece of tape. I always count passes when trolling, gets me back to the same depth every time.

[Toba]

Okay my curiosity got the best of me and I purchased a line counter set up with 10lb mono on the reel. Is it worth sticking with the line on there or changing to a super-braid? I guess I could just find out by trial and error also, but I figured someone already has.

[PerchJerker]

Okay my curiosity got the best of me and I purchased a line counter set up with 10lb mono on the reel. Is it worth sticking with the line on there or changing to a super-braid? I guess I could just find out by trial and error also, but I figured someone already has.

Leave the mono on there if you're going to be pulling planer boards, switch to braid if you're going to be pulling flatlines.

[Toba]

At this point I will only be pulling plugs. I have a spool of 20lb power pro at home. I believe it is a 10lb dia. I can't wait to try it out.