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New User
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| hello all, I live in VA and am currently getting into the serious walleye game. I have fished muskies heavy for many years but have always been interested in walleyes, but here they are not as common as there- however there is one lake that is stocked and is starting to show 10lb+ results....its deep 40 to 100' plus on average, and is clear. we had good results earlier this year casting jerkbaits to the bank, as it warmed we started to troll and had some decent luck just trolling deep cranks etc. and bottom bouncing harnesses. We only used what we had to troll, bass gear with mono and braid. I feel like we need to be more consistent in our trolling game as far as depth is concerned. I was thinking of picking up a couple line counter reels, nothing special, maybe 10 to 12 times a year. just decent and dependable. no worries of toothy muskies in this lake. I have also considered lead core on a reel or two to get smaller plugs deeper. Was looking at the cabelas depthmaster II reels. What would you all reccommend for line counter reels? lead core reels? decent trolling rods......Thanks in advance for all your help!! |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | I run a charter boat and buy stuff like this 12 to 15 outfits at a time. So when I make a mistake the pill is extremely bitter. Or when I get something good, I take notice. I had and used the depthmasters outfits for a few years. The type I bought at the time were the battery operated, line counter digital read outs. I thought they were cool. Withen 3 years, the read-outs fogged up eventually on a few and became un-readable, probably because I always left them on the boat during my charter season. I have nothing good or bad to say about the newer ones.
I went next to Bass Pro Gold Cup series reels and the 7 1/2' telescoping walleye series rods matched together by the Parsons/Kavizith (Spelling) team. These outfits were great and lasted me many years. And almost recovered all my original cost when I sold them at a garage sale. I now own 16 20DX Okuma LC reels teamed with 7 1/2' Ugly Stick rods. 4 of the reels have 2 and 3 colors lead core for trolling spoons. I also have 2 other reels that are the Okuma 30DX LC models that I spool with all 10 colors core for fishing the river. But I hold and pump the rod for this type fishing. Long lining this rig would also work straight off the boat. But attaching lead core directly too an in-line board itself where it comes in contact with the core and covering braide is a no-no. So you'll have to judge what zones you plan on fishing most on your deep lake to determine how much core you want on your reels if you want to attach boards. Then be sure you have enough backing under the core you lay down to accomplish smooth operations. One thing for sure. Test all reels and their functions for smooth operation before leaving the store. Take every single one one out of their boxes and do it. You will find 1 or 2 that have stickly glitches. Hope this helped.
https://www.okumafishing.com/product/view/reels/linecounters/magda-p...
Edited by walleye express 9/2/2013 9:02 AM
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | One last thing about the Okuma reels. I mention above about testing every reel before leaving the store. Here's why.
Speed Loc Pinion Gear System The SLG technology incorporates a dual-step pinion gear system on star drag reels that allows positive engaging at extreme high speeds. The SLG system allows for instant gear engagement when engaging from freespool to strike at speeds in excess of 50 MPH.
I repaired reels for a few years at my Bait shop. This pinion gear is very nice and is what (uniquely for line counters) allows you to engage the reel after you let out the desired amount of line by simply realing. But the close mesh and transfer system of this gear in the reel can be a very touchy animal. And if not set perfectly straight in the reel at the Manufacturer, it will create some smooth functioning real problems with the reel right out of the box. Thus, test every one's functions at the store and you'll have a very nice reel for the money.
Edited by walleye express 9/2/2013 9:22 AM
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Location: Rhinelander | Okuma builds a very nice line counter. Abu is introducing a new one this year as well, check it out! |
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New User
Posts: 2
| thanks guys, express I really appreciate you taking the time to give all the good advice!! I think im going with the okuma reels for sure, thanks! |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Your very welcome Musky.
And Steve is right as well. I have ABU Garcia reels probably as old as you are and they still function well. For me and the multitude of trolling rods and reels I use and needed, it's become about the combined value along with the best quality. I started guiding 27 years ago thinking the cheapest outfits were the way to go when putting rods in rookies hands. Those costly lessons also taught and brought me to my thinking today. 
Edited by walleye express 9/3/2013 10:24 AM
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questions from a southern walleye guy