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Posts: 458
| I'm looking at these in the 20 size for trolling musky this upcoming season. Anybody on here using them or care to give an honest review.
Thanks all. |
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Posts: 121
Location: Twin Cities Metro | I run a Coldwater 203D (and 2 Coldwater 303Ds). I love it. Built like a tank. Loud clicker. Smooth drag. Adequate line capacity. Comfortable handle.
In fact, I prefer the 203D to the larger 303D. For my trolling, I don't need the extra line capacity of the 303D size, so it is just extra bulk in the rod locker (and in my hand) that I don't need.
I wouldn't hesitate for a second on the Coldwater 203D. It's a great mid-price line counter, in my opinion. |
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Posts: 1247
Location: Walker, MN | They aren't the best, but the best at that price point imo. I run 4 303Ds and finally lost one counter mechanism after 5 years of use. The drags are a little quirky, but buttery smooth. I've run Tekotas and Sealines in the past but those drags have a harder start-up, and then puke line out. Not good. |
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Posts: 398
Location: SW Ohio | Like RobertK, I have two 303D's and one 203D (all left handed). Running wire line on the 203. Been happy with them but will be happier if I can hook something trolling other than baitfish.
All are on Shimano Sojourn rods. Two heavy rods with the 303's and a MH with a twilly tip on the 203. |
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Posts: 1288
| Very happy with the 2 that I have. I'm unlikely to want to spend more on trolling rigs. |
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Posts: 490
Location: Northern Illinois | I have a couple of bigger 453D's I use for pulling boards with mono and really like them. |
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Posts: 420
Location: MN | I used to run convector 30s, had a great experience, no problems really they were just getting worn after 5+ years and a bit big to fit in multiples in the rod locker. Switched to coldwater 20s - one year in they are great. Everything I've ever read and my firsthand experience would indicate they are great reels for the majority of people.
One thing that might be worth asking - what do trolling charters on St Claire use? They're out there beating on them every day, and the cost pressure of running many lines means they're not going to spend money unless it's worth it. Are they running Tekotas, Convectors, something else? I don't really know. When I was looking for trolling rods, the consensus from St Claire trollers seemed to be ugly stik tigers at the time, which I purchased and have had good luck with.
When looking at the Okumas before, I talked with a buddy who is big into salmon trolling who has his own equipment and has also fished with charters a lot. He was really up on the Okuma stuff, mainly convectors. Again, it was a price vs. performance issue. For what it's worth, he also suggested looking at Penn and Daiwa Sealines. He considered Tekotas or Saltists not worth the cost. |
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Posts: 458
| Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I'm not a huge troller so cost vs. use is the main factor, and these fall into the price point I'm looking at. I think I will grab a couple of these and give them a go. |
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Posts: 21
| Would the 203D size be ok for running a planer board? Or just for flat line? |
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Posts: 420
Location: MN | Yeah that shouldn't be a problem unless you are doing something a little extreme. Look at the capacity for the line you are considering - even if you ran 80 ft board to bait and 120 ft rod to board, anything over 100 yards of line is good. The exception cases might be if you want to run 50 lb mono or you were dual purposing using it for salmon as well. |
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Posts: 20221
Location: oswego, il | I have them in all sizes for musky and salmon. I like them. One word of caution, if you change the power handle location for more power there is a spring that will go flying if you don't know it's there. I recommend the extra power advantage by moving it. |
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Okuma Coldwater Reels