Line counter reels

Quick question as I'm trying to get in some salmon action,when you guys are trolling for salmon how big of a reel are you using.you guys running braid or mono.i was looking at this it's running 250yrds 12lb mono
Is this too small should I go the next size up to the 27 which holds 360yrds of 14
Thanks

I was only using my Calcutta 400b with 30lb braid for salmon trolling. It's also my RF setup. I don't know how much line I have there though.

I use a daiwa lexa 300 with 30lb braid and it's a work horse! Catches salmon and tuna no problem

That's  a good reel for the price
I've been disappointed by several line counters that only worked for a few trips. My Diawa27 has been a dependable reel. Linecounter still working

For that kind of money I would be looking at the okuma coldwater line of reels. They're regularly on sale right at 89.99 or 99.99. I have owned both and do prefer the cold water personally. It feels more solid in hand although both reels are still going strong for me. I run 40lb powerpro braid in both reels for salmon, sturgeon, etc.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I just got back from a salmon hunt and used my Cold Water Low Profile Line Counter which is a 350. It worked great!

I just got back from a salmon hunt and used my Cold Water Low Profile Line Counter which is a 350. It worked great!

Mine is actually the low profile model as well. Love the size and yet large capacity. The low profile model does run a few more $$$ generally though.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I just got back from a salmon hunt and used my Cold Water Low Profile Line Counter which is a 350. It worked great!

Mine is actually the low profile model as well. Love the size and yet large capacity. The low profile model does run a few more $$$ generally though.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

+1 on the Okuma Coldwater and I have both the round and low profile, both would work for salmon. Just make sure to rinse them well after every saltwater trip.

I just don't see the need for a line counter, personally. If you're letting your rig out by hand pulling anyway (recommended to avoid the inevitable  tangles or free spooling) why not just count the pulls? Most of the time I fish 30-40 feet down, which means I've got about 60-80 (1 foot) pulls of line out. If I brain fart, lose count, and I'm accidentally fishing with 50 or 90 pulls out, I am still fishing in the same strike zone.

Take a look at some underwater footage of salmon trolling and you'll see that the fish dart into view from quite a distance. If your bait gets within 15-20 feet of them, they know it. There's nothing magical about dialing in your depth to the nearest foot when you're fishing in the middle of the water column. 

There are exceptions when your bait needs to be dragging in the sand or right up top, but I'd estimate 90+ percent of the fish caught in Bay Area waters are caught 30-50 feet down. Pull out 60-80 feet of line and you're in the strike zone.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^^ nice info for newbies like me! Now I know what it means what x pulls mean!
And another tip I saw somewhere in the web is marking your line with permanent marker at any feet intervals you like.. I did mine for bank fishing for river salmon so I don't snag my lure..

I just don't see the need for a line counter, personally. If you're letting your rig out by hand pulling anyway (recommended to avoid the inevitable  tangles or free spooling) why not just count the pulls? Most of the time I fish 30-40 feet down, which means I've got about 60-80 (1 foot) pulls of line out. If I brain fart, lose count, and I'm accidentally fishing with 50 or 90 pulls out, I am still fishing in the same strike zone.

Take a look at some underwater footage of salmon trolling and you'll see that the fish dart into view from quite a distance. If your bait gets within 15-20 feet of them, they know it. There's nothing magical about dialing in your depth to the nearest foot when you're fishing in the middle of the water column. 

There are exceptions when your bait needs to be dragging in the sand or right up top, but I'd estimate 90+ percent of the fish caught in Bay Area waters are caught 30-50 feet down. Pull out 60-80 feet of line and you're in the strike zone.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's not so much you need one, but if you're going to be buying a reel with enough capacity and that has the appropriate drag rating then why not buy one with a linecounter? If you already own a Penn or similar without it then it's not necessary, but if buying new then why not? It's not like they cost much more.

I guess I just see it as another thing that can break. And, I may be a little biased since I fish left handed and the selection of LH line counters is pretty minimal. I've heard the Coldwater series lasts pretty well.

Don't mean to discourage you from buying a new toy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess I just see it as another thing that can break. And, I may be a little biased since I fish left handed and the selection of LH line counters is pretty minimal. I've heard the Coldwater series lasts pretty well.

Don't mean to discourage you from buying a new toy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I totally hear you on the left hand reel thing since I prefer them as well. There's very few left hand line counter reels, the coldwaters being one of them. I suppose it definitely could break, but I would imagine the reel would still be good even with the line counter not working - guess it's like a car without a working speedometer,  you can certainly do without it and guesstimate pretty well, but it's nice to have.... Okay maybe that's not the best analogy...

I made this little chart to help me figure out how deep I was.... given the angle of my dangle.

I just look at the depth I want to be at on the top line, and look at the angle of my line into the water, and voila, the chart tells me how much line I need in the water.  Of course you must correct for the distance from your rod tip to the surface of the water.  This is way easier with a line-counting reel so you have one less thing to remember.

There are a lot of sources of error here... calibration of your line counter, estimation of angle,  swell height, etc.

The chart supports AlexB's rule of thumb, that 60 to 80 feet of line will get you 30 to 50 feet deep (when your line is coming off your rod between 40 and 60 degrees from vertical).

For a line counter I love my Shimano Takota 500lc. I use it mostly for mooching so I know exactly where it's drifting. For trolling I just count my pulls as I'm paying out line. If it's a line counter you want, then I'd highly recommend this one. Solid little reel with a smooth drag. When it's full of line the counter is very accurate.