Since I usually troll for lakers in the spring, I'm looking to get a line-foot counter (don't know what you call them).

Do you get one to add to a casting reel? Or do you buy a reel with them built in? Recommendations please?

I ended up buying a Diawa accudepth after I realized how much I liked knowing how far back my lures were running. It's more to carry as I only use it when we're trolling for lakers but I find it's worth the weight. Before the line counting reel I tried using a line counter that clipped to the rod from Berkley but it had a very hard time gripping braided line thus not being able to count how much line was out.

Another option is spooling your existing reel with metered braid. It changes colors every 25 feet and has tick marks every 5 feet. I don’t need to be any more precise than that! I just tell my kid “let 5 colors out,” and done. Powerpro depth hunter is the brand I use.

I would advise against the add-on LCs as well.

ok, I must confess, I didn't know the colored line existed.

Will this work on a baitcaster? (I normally use an open face, but I switched to a medium heavy baitcaster to do double duty of trolling, and going after heavier fish).

Thanks!

I have three baitcasters spooled with it. It’s no different than any other braided line, other than the colors. Have fun!

You guys rock!

thanks a bunch!

What poundage do you use?

Can you still cast with it, like normal? or does it become a trolling-only rod?

I use 20 or 25 pound. The line itself casts great. I run six foot fluorocarbon leaders when I’m trolling, attached to a swivel, so I usually have to cut that in half and re-tie my terminal snap if I want to switch to casting.

I use Fireline Tracer

AmarilloJim: "I use Fireline Tracer"

Another good one. A key difference between the metered lines is the length of line per color. I think Tracer changes every 5 feet? Berkley has a couple other metered lines as well -- standard Fireline metered changes every 10 feet, and Pro Spec metered changes every 20 feet. Powerpro Depth hunter changes every 25 feet. Those are the ones I know of. I have used them all and they all work. I did find the Pro Spec to be a little "waxy" and stiffer than preferred. It's just best to find one and stick with it, so when you say "let 4 colors out" it's always 80, or always 100, or whatever.

Plus one on the metered line. I have also added bobber stops of different colors to mono at 100' and 200'. I use a six foot wingspan to measure.