musky trolling reels
muskymania
Posted 6/23/2011 5:04 PM (#504170)
Subject: musky trolling reels




Posts: 208


Location: musky waters , WI
was wondering what the opinons are on the diffrent trolling reels out there for musky fishing.looking at getting two reels to put on my rods to do some trolling. dont want to spend a arm and a leg for them as i will use them only a hand full.
wondering what size reel to get as in line capacity. looking to get them for running boards and straight line trolling. any advice would be appreciated. also if anybody has any they would like to part with let me know a price.
thanks
tundrawalker00
Posted 6/23/2011 5:11 PM (#504172 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels




Posts: 504


Location: Ludington, MI
Coming from salmon trolling, I can tell you to stay away from cheap Okumas unless you have a steady supplier of parts. I know you're only going to use them sometimes, but I've trashed four Magdas in four years and I haven't had any 30-pounders to blame it on.
Mojo1269
Posted 6/23/2011 5:21 PM (#504175 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Posts: 752


I use a Shimano Tekota Line Counter and love it. It can handle huge baits and its built well. I have landed Sturgeon up tp 56 inches on it that fought harder and longer than any ski will...
tuffy1
Posted 6/23/2011 5:35 PM (#504177 - in reply to #504175)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Posts: 3240


Location: Racine, Wi
I've been running both the Magdas and Convectors for the past 5 or 6 years now for both salmon and 'skis and haven't had any issues (I'm sure now that I say that, I'll burn a few out lol). They get pounded pretty good as well, so even the Magdas have held up well. The Convectors are all around good reals so you can't go wrong with those.
Esocidae
Posted 6/23/2011 6:09 PM (#504184 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels




Posts: 181


Location: St.John, Indiana
Shimano Tekota 500 and Daiwa Sealine SG47. I have 4 Tekotas and 2 Sealines. Both have performed well.
knooter
Posted 6/23/2011 6:28 PM (#504186 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 531


Location: Hugo, MN
Okuma Convector will work fine, as will Daiwa Sealine. If you wanted to spend more, the Tekota is hard to beat.
CU301DSV
Posted 6/23/2011 9:09 PM (#504217 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Posts: 906


Location: Canada
Currently using a Magda pro 20 line counter and a Convector 30 line counter. No problems with either one and looking to eventually run two Convectors in size 30 and keep the 20 Magda as a backup.
pepsiboy
Posted 6/23/2011 9:55 PM (#504224 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels


tekota and sealine are hard to beat
muskie-addict
Posted 6/23/2011 10:33 PM (#504228 - in reply to #504224)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 272


I'll probably get scoffed at, but Diawa's accudepth 47LC has done OK for me. I've had six of them for 6 years and a modest amount of trolling and zero problems. Bought two more for my two new "down" rods.
JKahler
Posted 6/24/2011 12:50 AM (#504239 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 1287


Location: WI
I use my old Abu 6500's. Have caught skis up to 50" on them with no issues. I mostly shortline, so a line counter isn't really necessary for my uses. I've also used a Saltist.
esoxone
Posted 6/24/2011 4:55 AM (#504247 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 424


I use abu 6500 syncro and 7000 syncro ( also available the model 7000LC syncro with line counter ) and use as line the new Power Pro Depth-Hunter ( it changes color every 25 feet ) .
I think it's a great combo: the syncro is excellent for trolling and using the Power Pro Depth-Hunter you do not need the line counter.

esoxone
pepsiboy
Posted 6/24/2011 9:37 AM (#504287 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels


a 6500 will not last a week for trolling at high speed + big hard kicking lure
MuskieMike
Posted 6/24/2011 10:16 AM (#504295 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels





Location: Des Moines IA
My Accudepth crapped out a long time ago. Magdas never have, and have been my staple for 6 years now. I do use the big ones though, 30s, and 45s. Built like tanks from my experience.
JKahler
Posted 6/26/2011 12:47 AM (#504455 - in reply to #504287)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 1287


Location: WI
pepsiboy - 6/24/2011 9:37 AM

a 6500 will not last a week for trolling at high speed + big hard kicking lure


They've lasted me 5 years so far for baits like 10" jakes and believers as well as large spinnerbaits with #10 blades. For bigger baits like 12" big game i use a Saltist. I troll 3-4mph.
allegheny river kid
Posted 6/26/2011 9:39 AM (#504483 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 463


Location: Sw Pennsylvania
okuma Convectors 30s and penn 209s for me. Like the convectors more
Capt bigfish
Posted 6/27/2011 9:14 AM (#504609 - in reply to #504483)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 480


Okuma Catalina are by far the best linecounter trolling real made. I troll hard and use some of the most aggressive lures made and I haven't had a issue in 6 years. Perfect drags, LOUD clickers and easy to use knobs and handles in extreme conditions. Friends have used reels mentioned above and had to be replaced with my gear. When you are ready to buy your last trolling reels, I seriously recommend Okuma Catalinas.
Bytor
Posted 6/27/2011 9:56 AM (#504626 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Location: The Yahara Chain
Convectors are awesome. Best deal in the musky world. They reel in boards like they are a mepps #5. Bulletproof in cold weather. I can't say the same for my sealines, they don't work in sub freezing temps.
Jerry Newman
Posted 6/29/2011 8:37 AM (#504905 - in reply to #504626)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Location: 31

When I finally converted to line counters, I went with the wide spool Sealines, and have been happy with their overall performance, very reliable with a good drag for the money.

Then... I few years ago made the expensive mistake of fishing in a friend's boat who was running both Tekotas and Sealines, at the end of the trip there was no question in my mind that the Tekotas were the superior reel in every category. And I was a Sealine guy...

The drag is far superior, (love the different setting click) and the extra roller bearings make it "almost" a pleasure to reel in big baits or boards. It was painful dollar wise, but I now have 6 wide spool Tekotas. I recommend the wide spool for the extra line pickup and if/when you tangle up there still plenty left on the reel, even with 50lb mono. 

I bought mine on eBay for an average of $150 each delivered.

 

Matty
Posted 8/2/2011 1:51 PM (#510131 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels




Posts: 167


Location: Ontario
Thinking of picking up a couple of Tekotas...I can get a deal on some 600s and am just wondering if that size is too big? Not really sure why they would be too big, but I have never held a Tekota before, so really dont have anything to compare it to.
Thanks
Esox-Hunter
Posted 8/2/2011 3:04 PM (#510146 - in reply to #510131)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels





Posts: 774


Location: South East Wisconsin
Convectors for me no issues.
willeysbucktails
Posted 8/2/2011 3:38 PM (#510154 - in reply to #510146)
Subject: RE: musky trolling reels




Posts: 191


Location: WV
okuma catalina or convectors
Mojo1269
Posted 8/4/2011 7:13 PM (#510470 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Posts: 752


Matty...I am using 500's and they are abolut the same size profile as my older 16 Trinidad's. I also use 700 TE's and I would think the 600's would be smaller. If you are trolling htem the size should not be an issue. YOu will just have to put more backing on or pony up each time you re-spool.
MuskieSwede
Posted 8/5/2011 2:18 AM (#510520 - in reply to #504170)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels




Posts: 245


Im looking to upgrade my Magdas to another LEFT HANDED trolling reel, is the drag better on the Okuma Convector compared to the Magdas?
tuffy1
Posted 8/8/2011 8:05 AM (#510884 - in reply to #510520)
Subject: Re: musky trolling reels





Posts: 3240


Location: Racine, Wi
It's a much smoother drag and easier to adjust in increments (you hear the drag click each time you tun).