I’m not sure of what you want to pay, but the Okuma reels are good and the Magda is really good for the price. I have noticed that if you fish late in the year when the water is not frozen but the air temps are below freezing, condensation in the line counter can freeze and damage the gears. Happens only very very rarely, but can happen.
The Okuma Coldwater series is even better.
x2 on the Magda (from my research).
Hmmm. I have three Cabelas Depthmaster III (30 Series) reels and love them. One is about 20 years old and the other two are at least 10 years old. Never had an issue with any of them except a sticky line counter once in a while. I just clean them up and they are ready to go again. Caught tons of kokanee at the Gorge as well as lots of cutthroat and lake trout out of Bear Lake. The gears are metal so I have never wore out a set yet. What is the issue you’ve had with yours? Are they the same make/model as I listed above?
Try this and don’t even mess with the bulky line counter reels.
??? Hey Shane what does line have to do with buying a line counter reel? Are you saying you can just use colored line in place of a line counter reel?
I am aware that there are cheaper ones, and more expensive line-counter reels out there, but I now have 3 of the DAIWA Accudepth Plus 27LCB reels..I bought my first about 7 years ago, then 2 more 3 or 4 years ago…no issues…Cabela’s, Scheel’s, and Sportsman’s should have them…priced about $ 75 to $ 85…Guluk…and like others have said, maybe just a good cleaning of your old ones will do the trick…
Hi Curt,
I have just found line counter reels are not only bulky but also the counter mechanism is the weak link.
This line is colored in four different colors and changes 20 or 25’ ( I can’t remember the footage exactly) every color, similiar to letting lead core line out.
I was just throwin’ it out there in case anyone was interested.
At least a guy can run it on his favorite, trusted reel.
Sounds good Curt.
Hopefully one of these days I run in to you at Willard!
I have some Daiwas Accudepths that I have used for 15 years now without any issues. Get the 17 size it is smaller. Been using the Daiwa LEXA and am happy with it. Low profile but about $120 bucks. ABU GARCIA has some low profiles but I haven’t had any experience with them. In general ABU makes great reels. As for lead core it is very speed dependent and I don’t like having over 150 feet of line out behind the boat. You also need a big reel to handle all the line needed for 40 foot depths. Lead core is really designed to get crankbaits deeper. Works great for that. Used it all the time trolling for walleyes 20ft down or so.
Stan,
Just to be clear the line I posted is not lead core, it is light braid in colored segments. It is not for getting lures deeper, it is designed so you know your setbacks without need of a line counter reel that no matter the quality of reel can’t even measure out correct footages anyway.
I agree 100% with you about lead core taking cranks to >20 fow.
But in Utah most people only want leadcore for those hideous cowbell set-ups.
Take care.
Sorry for confusion. I actually use that braid on my spinning reels for trolling crank baits LOL. I have the trolling depth charts on my phone so that line is perfect. Quicker than the count strips method.
Needed to read the label better. Not many fishermen know about that braid and you don’t see it in the stores around here.
I’ve purchased the old Shimano Tekota Line counter and have to say it is the top of the line - the new model does look good but I haven’t bought one yet
I am a fan of Okuma which I have 4 different models, 2 of which is cold water series. 1 have a set of 354 low profile and 203 set. I really like these 2 models.
I’m not going to buy a third cabelas trolling reel.. can someone tell me what they have that will last.. needs a line counter. Thanks