Hunt4Ever
03-18-2006, 08:06 AM
Here is a copy of a post I put in the Cold Water Forum. I thought everyone here might like to see it.
How to set up a line counter.
I think it is almost impossible to get them to read, "counter = actual feet out". Even if you fill the spool correctly, as soon as you start taking line out the spool gets smaller, but they are a great reference. Remember, they don't tell you "feet out" they tell you "spool revolutions".
Here is what I do, it works well, and is a must for line counter users.
1. Fill your reels with what ever line you like, but fill the spool full. I often add some backing or lesser mono of larger line diameter to help fill the spool then add 300-500 feet of the line I want to use. This is a must if you are using PowerPro or Fireline. If you are using more than one reel of the same line, spool them EXACTLY the same. It will make the next few steps easier.
2. Make yourself a spreadsheet with two columns in it, one for "counter out" and one next to it for "feet out". Make enough rows for as many reference points as you want, I go in 5 foot increments out to 300 feet on the feet out column.
3. Lay the longest tape measure you have out in your yard. I have a 50' one. I attach one end to a stake and pull all 50 feet out, laying it on the ground. Then I add another stake at the 50' mark.
4. Set your rod and reel up like you are going to fish with it. Attach one end of the line to the stake, zero the counter, flip to freespool, thumb the spool, and walk with the rod tip in front of you and down at the tape. When you get to 5' on the tape, record the counter, then at 10', then at 15 and so on. When you get to the 50' mark, record the counter, walk around the 50' stake and start back down the other side, recording every 5' to 100. Do this back and forth until you get to 300.
5. Wind all your line back on the spool and enter the reading into the spreadsheet. Make it look pretty on the computer and print it out. Keep it with your fishing gear.
6. Buy Mark Romanack's books for crankbaits or diving planers.
7. Now when Mark's book says to get a Reef Runner down 15 feet you need "XX" feet of line out, just go to your chart and see what the line counter should read to have "XX" feet of line out.
One word of caution, read Mark's book about line diameters. You may need to do some conversions with the dive curve data if you line is not what he used for the curves.
8. Accept the praise from your kids on how great a fisherman their Dad is!
How to set up a line counter.
I think it is almost impossible to get them to read, "counter = actual feet out". Even if you fill the spool correctly, as soon as you start taking line out the spool gets smaller, but they are a great reference. Remember, they don't tell you "feet out" they tell you "spool revolutions".
Here is what I do, it works well, and is a must for line counter users.
1. Fill your reels with what ever line you like, but fill the spool full. I often add some backing or lesser mono of larger line diameter to help fill the spool then add 300-500 feet of the line I want to use. This is a must if you are using PowerPro or Fireline. If you are using more than one reel of the same line, spool them EXACTLY the same. It will make the next few steps easier.
2. Make yourself a spreadsheet with two columns in it, one for "counter out" and one next to it for "feet out". Make enough rows for as many reference points as you want, I go in 5 foot increments out to 300 feet on the feet out column.
3. Lay the longest tape measure you have out in your yard. I have a 50' one. I attach one end to a stake and pull all 50 feet out, laying it on the ground. Then I add another stake at the 50' mark.
4. Set your rod and reel up like you are going to fish with it. Attach one end of the line to the stake, zero the counter, flip to freespool, thumb the spool, and walk with the rod tip in front of you and down at the tape. When you get to 5' on the tape, record the counter, then at 10', then at 15 and so on. When you get to the 50' mark, record the counter, walk around the 50' stake and start back down the other side, recording every 5' to 100. Do this back and forth until you get to 300.
5. Wind all your line back on the spool and enter the reading into the spreadsheet. Make it look pretty on the computer and print it out. Keep it with your fishing gear.
6. Buy Mark Romanack's books for crankbaits or diving planers.
7. Now when Mark's book says to get a Reef Runner down 15 feet you need "XX" feet of line out, just go to your chart and see what the line counter should read to have "XX" feet of line out.
One word of caution, read Mark's book about line diameters. You may need to do some conversions with the dive curve data if you line is not what he used for the curves.
8. Accept the praise from your kids on how great a fisherman their Dad is!