line counter reels

[primetime]

This past spring when I first started fishing for stripers, I purchased a couple of okuma line counter reels.  Since then, I have changed over to tekota 500 lc because i also fish at the bay.  At first, i thought the line counter reel was only used to determine how deep i was fishing with a down line.  A couple of months ago, Jason taught me to use the line counter for how far to deploy planer boards.  He also said that it makes it easier when he tells his son how far to let the line out.  It really has helped me to be a smarter fisherman.  

1) Are there any other uses for line counter reels?
2) How come some of the members here on the forum don't use LC reels?
3) Since i have two different reels that are LC's, can I adjust both reels to read  equally, another words that a foot on one reel would read an equal foot on the other.
    I might be thinking to much into this, if so, sorry for rambling. Im thinking this, because i know that a revolution on one reel is probably different on another. 

[mwardncsu]

Hopefully one foot on one feel equals one foot on the other else the line counter is not meaningful

However, the line counters can get off as they are based on the rotation of the main spool - less line on the spool the more it rotates per foot - and vice verse - so this throws it off. best way to calibrate is load up the spool and pull off 50' or so and check - and trim back as needed to where it's not quite accurate - but will be after a few break offs.

[mwardncsu]

Other uses....

- I sometimes use my line counters not for planers but my light lines


Why all my reels are not LC's?
- don't need them for planers and can do hand pulls for light lines as you don't typically reel them up and drop back quickly to avoid a tree or such
- LC's are usually a bit more expensive than their non-LC counterpart
- LC is another couple of gears that *could* strip or bind and seize up the rest of the reel and loose a good fish. Kinda like why levelwinds are not used by some (though the levelwind is perhaps more likely to cause issues if it fails)

[Gator]

Mward, Your last point is right on target. I use the Abu lc's for u-rig fishing in the summer. I have constant problems with the line counter. On the other hand I have a few Okuma Magnas and they are virtually indestructible.

[getlinewet]

Gator:

I have 5 Okuma Magnas and have had trouble with 2. Luckily, Joel at the striper club put those reels back in action. I must have been hard on them because everyone I talk to has the same opinion as you...virtually indestructible. Reel one's line counter went south on me. Reel two lost a bearing and had a real hard winding action. Go figure. I guess I should take better care of my equipment.

Hope you had a great Christmas and have a happy, prosperous and healthy new year my friend.

Jim

[drag4striper]

I have a couple of Shimano tekota 500 lc reels I run lead core on. They have been great so far. I hope to replace all my current reels

to these for trolling artificial, down lining and pulling boards. Maybe even going to the bay one day.  

[primetime]

Thanks, I'm trying to get the most use out of my LC. When the LC is calibrated correctly it makes it easier to place 3 boards out.
I know u can pull one foot out at a time, I tend to think it's more precise to use the LC

[mwardncsu]

I don't understand the need for line counters to put out boards. Are you referring to the distance of the line behind the board? No need for an exact science there that needs a line counter to count out. If referring to the distance of board from the boat - well, that's going to move all over anyway based on what you're fishing around.

[striperjohn]

Hey Prime, like anything mechanical that gets used a lot, think preventive maintenance. Any reel/LC will have problems if not cared for properly. Keep them oiled and greased and replace obvious worn parts and you shouldn't have any trouble unless you're purchasing crap. I re-oil my reels (I use nothing but ABU Garcia Ambassadours) once in the fall/winter when I stop fishing, again in the Spring when I break them out and after every heavy rain they are subjected too. Once those level winds lose their lubricate they wear worm gears, line pawls, LC gears and even the sides of the spools if not re-lubed often.
If you have vertical rod holders those Spinning reels are really susceptible to heavy rain as well, as it gets directly by the spool into the main gear section of the reel.

[johnr]

I've got and have had a bunch of line counters, but none of them have ever lasted or worked properly for long. They've been helpful when running downlines, but that's about it.

These days, with the sonar units, there is no need for a line counter when running downlines. I drop my lines near the transducer, set the depth and move them to their appropriate locations on my boat.

I've got no use for them with planer boards either. Typically, more like always, I run about 7' behind the board when using large gizzards. When fishing alewives, I run them like downlines on boards. If I ever want gizzards further back, I lob them off the back of the boat and connect my board. No science involved.

The only time I love the linecounters is when trolling. On my trolling rods, I mark the line with a Sharpie and use the line counters. Trolling can be an exact science some days.

[Pete D.]

I agree with John. I only use my LC's for downlines, but have found myself using sonar now, almost exclusively.

I have 8 okuma magdas, and have only had issues with 1. Unfortunately, I just cant seem to pinpoint it. But I changed out the drag washers to carbon, and the clickers from plastic to copper, and that costed about $8 a pop. Well worth it!!!

[primetime]

Dec 28, 2015 23:10:44 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

I don't understand the need for line counters to put out boards. Are you referring to the distance of the line behind the board? No need for an exact science there that needs a line counter to count out. If referring to the distance of board from the boat - well, that's going to move all over anyway based on what you're fishing around.

It seems easier to look at the lc and decide to let the line out to 75 for a board and 50 for another board and 25 for another board. Also, it makes it easier when my 10 Year old is with me and I tell her what to do and all she does is look at the lc

[primetime]

Dec 29, 2015 10:37:50 GMT -5 striperjohn said:

Hey Prime, like anything mechanical that gets used a lot, think preventive maintenance. Any reel/LC will have problems if not cared for properly. Keep them oiled and greased and replace obvious worn parts and you shouldn't have any trouble unless you're purchasing crap. I re-oil my reels (I use nothing but ABU Garcia Ambassadours) once in the fall/winter when I stop fishing, again in the Spring when I break them out and after every heavy rain they are subjected too. Once those level winds lose their lubricate they wear worm gears, line pawls, LC gears and even the sides of the spools if not re-lubed often.
If you have vertical rod holders those Spinning reels are really susceptible to heavy rain as well, as it gets directly by the spool into the main gear section of the reel.

So do you take the sides off to lubricate the reel? I know where the worm gear is. Is there a certain lubricant you would recommend? I am glad you and others have commented. I used my reels once at the bay and washed them down but did not lubricate. I will lubricate my reels.

[striperjohn]

All the reels I've ever seen come with lube diagrams. But you can look that up online for sure. But on the Ambassadours the side plate with the handle has the pinion gear inside it wicth needs grease on it (I use standard reel grease) outside oil both handles and where handle goes into reel. On the other side the line guide gear gets grease, and round worm gear drive as well. Then oil the top point of line guide that runs just inside reel plate, oil worm gear and underneath that oil the line pawl. I put a drop of oil on the edge of my spools as well.
Just and FYI but when you have to replace a line pawl go online and get ceramic ones, they last longer and are smooth as silk.

[Deleted]

I don't use line counters as well. Just something else to break. Nothing beats the perfect 36 inches I can get from my nose to the end of my stretched out hand...no calibration required.