How well do the Berkley clip on line counters work?

[sled59]

Has anyone out there had any luck with the Berkley clip on line counters or any other clip ons? The reason I am asking is that we troll alot and have new baitcaster reels and don't want to buy those big trolling reels.

[tacklejunkie]

Given the choice between a line counter reel and those clip ons, I'd take the linecounter reel.

I have used those clip ons and they will work. If you already have reels without linecounters, then the clip ons will do fine.

[TruthWalleyes]

I saw one on sale last year and thought "Oh Cool". Problem is, almost all my rods i run 8# - 20# fireline or Powerpro, and the diameter of the line is just a bit too small to get the counter to turn. Lure weight also makes a difference. You can tighten down the line counter for a smaller diameter line, but you also have to pull line through the counter if you have a lighter lure, like a jig.

From my experience, not worth the $15 i paid for it.

If you're interested and in the area, its your for free.

Edit* I imagine they work better on a fluro or mono line.

[jmg]

My experience,too,hasn't been good. I have had 2 different ones and neither has worked very well, esp. w/ Fireline or even other smooth braids or smaller dia. lines.

[solbes]

Agree, they do not work very well for Fireline/Power Pro type lines. Mono that's 12 lb and higher would work okay.

I've ended up marking the lengths I want to see with bobber stops or colored tape. Much easier than struggling with that line counter thing. I had the Shakespear one for $10 I think.

[MN Mike]

I've got 3 years on my clip on line counter and it's worked good for me, 8 - 10 lb. mono pulling deep running crankbaits on Lake of the Woods. I find it to be a handy tool when I need it.

Mike

[walleye 4 me]

MN Mike, what brand do you have and how much were they? I have been thinking about these too for trolling on LOW. I bought a clip weight set and am thinking about trying them this summer but I do not have line counter reels. Have to save my $$$ for gas to get to the lake so I don't have any extra for new reals of downriggers also, what is your favorite crank and color on LOW if I may ask? I'm new to the trolling game.

[Down Deep]

Save your money. They count line OK, but they don't stay attached to the rod. You can buy a decent line counter reel for about $45. Why mess with an attachment.

[MN Mike]

MN Mike, what brand do you have and how much were they? I have been thinking about these too for trolling on LOW. I bought a clip weight set and am thinking about trying them this summer but I do not have line counter reels. Have to save my $$$ for gas to get to the lake so I don't have any extra for new reals of downriggers also, what is your favorite crank and color on LOW if I may ask? I'm new to the trolling game.

I believe mine was a Berkley, can't remember how much I paid for it but I don't think it was a lot $10 or so, got it at Cabelas. I do have a Cabelas line counter reel but that thing is so geared down you have to crank and crank and crank to get anywere, it doesn't get used much. I usually don't start pulling plugs until late June / early July on Lake of the Woods and run until Sept. or so.

I really like the Rapala Deep Tail Dancer ( TDD11 )in Clown Flash and Purpledescent, Reefrunners 800 in the Chart. Wonderbread and big Cotton Cordell Wally Divers in Chartreuse. If you have to get really deep, you'll probably want to have a reel or 2 spun up with something other than mono. You'll be able to watch your rod tip and see when / if you drag bottom.

If you're just getting into the crankbaits....... hang on to your pocketbook!!! Trust me and others when we say it's a DISEASE! you'll find out!

Good luck!

Mike

[gdog]

They work but are a pain. Buy a couple of cheap Cabelas line counters.