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Hello,
I noticed that some of the guys that are trolling crank baits are using line counter reels. What make / model reel would you all recommend looking into?
Right now I have two B"n"M Pro Staff Trolling rods, I'm still in the learning process, but could use some recommendations on an optimal setup. For now I will be trolling out the back of the boat. What pound test are you guys using?
I use Okuma Magda 15 reels with 12 pound Trilene Big Game solar collector line. Most guys use 10 pound mono but I'll save twice as many hung-up cranks on the 12 than 10. I use 6-6.5 foot rods off the back of my boat. I use the longer rods off the sides.
I used to use Okuma Magda and convector reels however they always seem to have an issue with the reset button on the line counter. It is located on the top of a the reel and some of them love to stick, not turn the wheel correctly, and so on. When you place the rods in a locker (if you do so) those buttons tend to get pushed in.
I've switched over to Diawa Accudepth 17's and 27's. The 17's is all you would need for crappie. I use strickly 10 lb but am not trolling in heavy cover. The reason for 10 lbs is I utilize the precision trolling app that tells me the correct setback for dive depths and they do all their testing with berkley xt 10lb. Realistically, if you find another (stronger line) with the same diameter, the dive curve would be the same.
It takes 1000 feet of line to "properly" fill an accudepth 17 and have the reel calibrated correctly. 1500 feet for the accudepth 27 to be calibrated correctly.
For more information on Line counter calibrations, go to: How To – Fish Sniper Tackle
Please keep in mind however that we are comparing walleye fishing to crappie fishing here (as that is the majority of my trolling). There may be other reels available that will work good for you at a reduced size or cost.
For the best prices I have found on trolling equipment (including several makes and models of line counter reels) try Northwoods outlet. https://northwoodsoutlet.com
Best Buy out there right now for crappie fishing. Especially just getting started.
https://northwoodsoutlet.com/product...trolling-reel/
size 15 or 20?
Size 15Quote:
Originally Posted by oomph
How much line does it take to properly calibrate the 15 sized reel?
Close to max capacity, most people use cheapo 10# line as "filler" and then tie on the good stuff for the last 200-300' of line. After you get the line on BUT before you cut the tag end, calibrate the reel by adding or removing the good line according to the tips. Just google how to calibrate your particular reel (I use the Magda 15), and adjust according.
thank you all. I went ahead and ordered 4 Shakespeare Line Counter Reels.
They will suite you just fine.
We troll with size 5 flicker shad on 10 lb line before all trips I measure 60 ft of line in the driveway from lure to tip of rod. make a mark on the lie about 8to10 inches long between reel and first guide. you can see the mark leave the spool you are within a ft or two of the 60 (60 ft catches most fish, lure goes 8 to 10 ft deep) we catch 50 plus fish a day. Black and white bass, drum crappie and walleye ocasionally big gills. in June the catfish shows up on the flats too. I couldn't get use to the extra weight and trying to figure line off the spool just lazy I guess. if you hang in the rocks go back past the lure and give a light jerk on the line will come loose 90% of the time. for brush or other debris use a lure saver (heavy body shape of fish or the older ones were in shape of a dog, has chains on bottom 100lb test on it) be sure boat is on top of lure tight line from reel to plug and slide saver onto line jerk on saver line up and down it will slide down and chains will hook on trebles. saved $100s on lures. good luck on trolling I love it
Do the Okuma Magda 15's have a constant clicking sound upon retrieval? I picked up some Shakespeare ATS 15s this spring and they don't have an option to switch off the clicking sound during the retrieve. I am considering switching to another brand if that clicking will go away! haha.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
I bought this reel last winter just to see how i would like a lne counter. Im used to using a smal spinnin reel. This reel was HUGE, more like a saltwater reel,Quote:
Originally Posted by cray
You can shut the clicker offQuote:
Originally Posted by blue-jig
I use both, but lean towards the Shake spear, easy t use. Same quality.
You can shut the clicker off the Shakespeare or the Magda? I've tried every way I know to shut it off the Shakespeare. I even called their service dept today and they said it couldn't be turned off completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
This is how you turn off the clicking. It's on the left side of the reel. It moves forward and back.Quote:
Originally Posted by blue-jig
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...df47ab04c9.jpg
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Thank goodness for our friends here! I'm in good shape now Snubby. I really appreciate that tip!
He beat me to the punch! Glad you found that out!
We use the clickers when we are letting out multiple lines at the same time. Start running out our planner boards, throw the rod in the holder with the clicker on and start letting out the next one. Tournaments are all about time! We also leave the clicker on when we are not paying as much attention. Fish will start pulling line and the noise goes off. We turn the clickers off when reeling in.
Not sure on some of the others but my reels have tension adjustments for clicker spooling as well. This allows the ability to apply more tension to the spooling features when letting different baits out.
I've switched over all of my tournament rods from Okuma's to Diawa reels simply because of the location of the line counter reset button. The Okumas are on the top and tend to jam, malfunction, or stop working. You also have a tendancy to accidentially reset it in the middle of what you are doing. The Diawa is on the side and is hard to accidentially reset it.
Yea, me too. I just couldn't believe that it wasn't operator error somewhere! Haha. Yea my reels have that tension adjustment knob for free spooling. I think its a live bait feature mostly for walleye guys, etc. But, I can see where when set just right it can be used for pulling cranks and jigs. I will try that out. Thanks guys!
I like to hear the clicker as it makes me think I am fishing for blue fin tuna on Wicked Tuna. :Rofl
Back in 1958 we went to clear water florida and there was a long concrete pier that went out from the beach to the deeper water. Guy would fish for sharks at night off the end of that pier. And they had those big ocean type reels with the clickers on them. When a shark too the bait the reel would start singing with the clicker set. It was awesome sights and sounds for a young 8 year old kid. Something I won't ever forget.
Now the only clicking I hear is when I'm pulling cranks and get a crappie or bass to bite.
Awesome. Very cool story!
I have been using Sougayilang TRA 30R line counter reel with 12 Pound test Monofilament fishing line. In my recommendations 10 to 14 pound test monofilament line is the ideal choice. These pound testing lines are strong enough to handle big walleye and other popular trolling lures to reach substantial depths.
I use Okuma DX20’s and for the wife that may fish with me a couple times a year the cheaper Shakespear ATS 15’s primarily for crappie, occassionally for walleye. I load them with 10 lb power pro yellow slick braid with no line stretch and almost never use a 3’ leader of mono attached ever and on 12’ and 14’ Southern Pro crappie trolling rods have taken flathead catfish at 30 lbs without breaking line or the rods when trolling various brands of crankbaits while fishing for crappie. Cranks will catch everything if you get them to the right depth where the fish are. Snap weights will even get me deeper. One other thing I occassionally use besides Bandit depth charts is Precision Trolling App. If boat traffic isn’t hectic, I might sometimes put out the plainer boards also. Lots of technics in trolling jigs and crankbaits. You can also use your line counter reels for pushing crankbaits and jigs from the front of the boat as well. Good luck fishing!
I dont know if I am allowed to post this or not, but I do have two for sale in the classified section. They are the correct size for crappie IMO, size 15 with paddle handles. You definitely want to go as small as you can, you arent fishing for salmon!
You're fine, Kevin .... you're directing attention, not "advertising" (no price in your comments). :ThumbsUpQuote:
Originally Posted by Kevin22
Thanks, they sold shortly after I made that post so I suppose its moot anyways. "Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
Remember when choosing line counters that you go small, they have extremely high line capacity and are very large in comparison to a round baitcaster or low profile. Also very heavy!
I am really hoping someone comes out with a good tiny line counter for crappie fishing, something we can use 4-6lb line with and doesn't weigh a ton.