Skip to main content

How to Calibrate Line-Counter Fishing Reels

Line counters are inherently inaccurate. Here's how to get your walleye bait in the zone.

How to Calibrate Line-Counter Fishing Reels

The more accurate your line-counting reel is, the more walleye trollers you’ll catch. (Shutterstoick image)

Most anglersthink a line-counter reel is the most accurate way of monitoring trolling lead lengths. Actually, line counters are inherently inaccurate; they’re factory calibrated with only one line diameter and type. Anglers using different line diameters will see false data.

Luckily, any line counter can be calibrated to any line type/diameter. Measure off and mark a known reference distance. Most use 100 feet as it represents the mid-range in common trolling leads. Two small stakes set exactly 100 feet apart works well.

Once a measured distance of 100 feet is marked off, load your line-counter reel with the chosen line type/diameter. Fill the reel to capacity, but do not cut the line from the filler spool.

Related: Deep Thinking for Fall Walleyes


Attach the line to one stake (planer board line releases work nicely) then zero out the line counter and walk until the rod tip is just touching the second stake. If the reel’s digital counter reads less than 100, it has too much line loaded and line must be removed from the reel. If the counter indicates a number greater than 100, then the reel doesn’t have enough line and more line must be added.

This is why the line isn’t cut from the filler spool until calibration is done. Achieve calibration by adding or removing line from the reel until the line counter says 100 feet when exactly 100 feet of line has been let off the reel. This process takes a few minutes per reel and ensures all reels in a trolling setup are speaking the same language.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Fishing

Baitcaster Basics: The Overhead Cast

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Guns

Ruger American Now Chambered in 7mm PRC

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Guns

Classic Marlin: 336 and 1894 Lever-Action Hunting Rifles

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Learn

NWTF's Passion for Wild Turkey Conservation Still Burns After 50 Years

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

First Look: Leupold's BX-4 Range HD Rangefinding Binos

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

Browning's Max Point, Silver Series Rifle Ammunition

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

New Hunting Ammo from Remington: 360 Buckhammer

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Guns

New from Browning: X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

New Hunting Blades from Buck Knives

The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. ELD Match,...
Gear

Hornady's Hot New 7mm PRC Cartridge: SHOT 2023

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now