looking for a line counter reel

[larryb]

has anyone used a Cabela's Depthmaster Gold Trolling Linecounter Reel?
what do you think of them? thanks

[Nvr_Srndr]

When I began looking I googled the Cabelas reel and the reports didn't come back very well. I went with the Shimano Tekota and have been very happy. In my opinion it was worth the money. When you compare the drags on each the Tekota is so much smoother. It also is much more controlled when you want to run a diver. Good luck.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Just buy a Tekota LC and fuggetaboutit.

[jager]

I bought a Tica Sea Spirit for a back up to my Tekota and have to say the drag is every bit as good, cought salmon and sturgeon using the Sea Spitit 248 and am really happy with it.

[willie brian]

i have had good luck with okuma because of price but you cannot beat shimano

[Fish'nDude]

In my never ending quest to find a decent left handed line counter reel, I got one of the Cabela’s Depthmaster Gold to try at this last year’s buoy 10 season. Caught a lot of fish with it, nothing over 20lbs, but it got a good workout. The drag held up, not as smooth as my Shimano TE’s but ok for a made in china reel. The line counter worked good, didn’t lock up, jam or fall apart like my experiences with the other left-handed line counters out there. Over all, I consider it the best of the left handed line counters, which isn’t saying much.
The quality is no comparison to the Shimano’s, but you get what you pay for. (I’m a diehard Shimano guy, got about 20 or so of them), definitely better quality than Okuma’s for sure. For a $80 it’s a decent reel, especially with Cabela’s excellent return/exchange policy. Prior to purchase, I asked Ollie’s Damons about their experiences with this reel and they told me getting parts can take awhile so keep that in mind.
By all means, if you can afford another $100, go with the Tekota’s as previously recommended. If you’re looking for a reel at a price point between the Okuma’s and the Shimano’s, this would be a decent reel from my experience so far.

[Bill Monroe Jr.]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Just buy a Tekota LC and fuggetaboutit.

Once you get one, you'll never regret it! Worth the money IMHO....

[Bigriverdawg]

I have been using the okuma convector30 left hand for 5yrs know and have been very happy. I have 3 of them, they get 70% salt water use and I just sent them to okuma to have them gone thru and all they charged me was shipping. I am know buying 3 more as I combine them with Berkly im7 15-50 one peice rods. These reels hold over 500yrds of 65lb tuff line and imo this ia a awsome combo. So I will have 6 Berkly-okuma combos for my boat.

[Just Fish]

I have two diawa 27lc that have been fish hard for 3 years and they are still going strong I have no regrets for buying them.

[dog501]

Tekota all the way. I have 4 of them and i like them even over my Avits. Much smoother.

[TheRogue]

I was just on charkbait and noticed the Diawa Saltist levelwind line counter reel..

STTLW20LCHA

Seems like a definite possibility, same price range as the Tekota 500LD

TR

[Intruder175]

Originally Posted by Just Fish

I have two diawa 27lc that have been fish hard for 3 years and they are still going strong I have no regrets for buying them.

For under a $100, the Diawa SeaLine SG27LCA is the best one out there. You can usually pick them up for about $90, so they are half the price of the Shimano. I have used a Shimano, and they are great reels, but I don't think they are twice as good as the SeaLine. It really depends on how much money you want to spend. When I bought my first SeaLine, I did a bunch of research before picking the SG27LCA. I have 5 salmon and steelhead poles and all of them have the SG27LCA reels on them. You can put just a hair over 200 yards of 20 lb Maxima or just over 300 yards of 50 lb Tufline XP. Great reel for the money.

[duck_hunter]

I have two rods set up with the Cabelas line counters and haven't had any problems with them for 2 years. I use them lake fishing for trout, kokes, etc. so I am not putting a lot of stress on them but I dont see why they wouldn't work.

[Bob Barthlow]

larryb, on our fishing trips the last 4 years, (Klickitat and Cowlitz) we've been using Shimano Tekota 300LC reels...remember this day?

[HOGGEMIN]

The Diawa Saltist line counter reel is a very nice reel.

[Beefcake]

I believe the Cabela's line-counters are actually Okumas, and I haven't had great luck with my Okuma Convector LC's (I have 4 of them, need parts for 2 of them after 3 trips to the coast). One of my friends has hammered on some Abu 6500LC's with good luck, but I'm not sure the Abu drags are big enough for long-term abuse (his have held up better than my regular ambassadors, so maybe they have improved the drags in the LC's?). Anyway, I am leaning toward the Daiwa Sealine as my go-to line counter. I have had good luck with all of the Sealine reels I've owned for sturgeon, tuna, and halibut, so I have confidence that these will be bulletproof as well. I wish I could justify the price of Tekotas, but the Sealines are the best compromise I can find.

One side note: there are three levels of Daiwa line-counter reels. The lower-cost "Accudepth" reels are not designed for any saltwater use. The "Sealines" are designed for saltwater. The "Saltist" are their high-end saltwater reels (probably as good or better than a Tekota, but just as much money). If you fish B-10, Tillamook, or the ocean, I'd go with the Sealine series.

Oops, I guess I'll sign this in case it's considered a complaint...
Scott Johnson

[Lucky 13]

I too believe that the Shimano is the best line counter for the wrong handed crowd. If you need a correct handed (left) then you can do what I did and get an Okuma. I know these aren't in the same league as the Shimano, but they seem to be holding up quite well for me. I have used two of them now for about five years with no issues. Another good thing is that they aren't too expensive if you look for a sale. I also looked at the Cabela's Gold when I went to the Lacey store and they seemed cheap so I went with the Okuma. I know that the Okuma isn't a high end reel, but for the money it's the only left handed line counter that seems worth using.

[wahooguy]

Originally Posted by larryb

has anyone used a Cabela's Depthmaster Gold Trolling Linecounter Reel?
what do you think of them? thanks

The Shimano Tekota is excellent. Super smooth and awesome smooth drag. I love mine. I just wish it came with a left hand crank.

[chummer]

I'm still waiting for an Abu 6501 LC or 7001 LC to come out

[pstutheit]

I have two line counters: an okuma convector and a daiwa accudepth plus. The Daiwa is a great reel for the money. If you go the Daiwa route, be sure to get the accudepth plus (as opposed to the regular accudepth).