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Great Lakes Fishing

Best trolling reel for the money

4/28/23 @ 11:05 PM
INITIAL POST
madmerle
madmerle
PRO MEMBER User since 7/20/01

If can't spend top dollar but looking for a reel that is a good value, what do trollers recommend.  Has to have line counter and reel would be for salmon trolling.  Thanks!

Displaying 1 to 11 of 11 posts
5/24/23 @ 3:23 AM
madmerle
madmerle
PRO MEMBER User since 7/20/01
Anybody try or use Sougayilang reels?

5/6/23 @ 12:07 AM
huntfishcrappie
User since 2/23/16
Magda are good reels. I have had mine twenty years no problems ... I ran them for kings cohos ... Divers and lead core and swr rods...I still have the same power pro line on them ...Yes twenty years of use same beat up HT rods also... The older sea lines were good but the new ones are junk.. all plastic and bad bearings I think I got 2 salmon season out of them.. maybe buy 2 and then make your own decision.. 
100.00 bucks for 2 reels but stay away from the cables LC they are junk... If you can find the old 209 red Penn's also for downrigger rods.. 
Good luck... Tight lines

5/5/23 @ 5:26 PM
NPike_Guy
NPike_Guy
User since 8/25/08
I think most would agree the Tekotas are undeniably the best for the money but they're a lot of money. If you're serious about the trolling game bite the bullet on them. Half of the cheap LC trolling reels are junk right out of the box and are uncomfortable to fish with.

5/5/23 @ 6:01 AM
Regjoe
User since 2/7/06
MAGDA PRO 200
SORRY FOR THE LATE REPLY
GREAT TROLLING REELS

5/2/23 @ 11:14 AM
JDs Customs
User since 9/16/20
I’ve tried a few other brands, but nothing responded like the Shimano Tekota. I have the 500, and 600, and they fit my needs. Spend the $$$ and use The Best! Tekota!
JD

5/1/23 @ 3:52 PM
vegas492
vegas492
User since 5/21/03
I started with Okuma Magda's.  Mistake.  Had to upgrade.
Those Sealine reels are super great for me.  I use them for my musky trolling reels and I love them, they are just amazing.
Walleye wise, I use the Accudepth reels, silver ones with the paddle reel.  They are great for that application.
If I were going for salmon, I'd start with those on a power handle and see how they work.

As stated, spend more on the reel, for sure.

5/1/23 @ 8:13 AM
fishmunkee
fishmunkee
User since 3/20/02
I started with the Diawa Accudepth reels. They are okay. Replacing them as they go with the Diawa Sealine reels. Spend more on the reels than the rods.

4/30/23 @ 5:21 PM
svitreum
svitreum
PRO MEMBER User since 8/29/06
My buddy and I have been slowly replacing older slower gear ratio'ed reels in favor of the Okuma Convector high speed reels. We use the 45 size reels for everything up to 200 copper and 10 colors of leadcore. The 250-350 coppers go on the 55 size reels. The drags are super smooth. We do have 2 Shimano Tekota's we use for our wire dipsies. They are 20 years old and I am sending them in for service for the first time. Clean, lube, replace drag washers, etc. If you can swing the $$$ the Tekota's are nearly unmatched. Next best that I've used is the Convector line. Hope this helps. 

4/30/23 @ 3:51 PM
madmerle
madmerle
PRO MEMBER User since 7/20/01
Regjoe, is there a specific model?

4/29/23 @ 5:42 AM
Regjoe
User since 2/7/06
I HAVE USED OKUMAS FOR A WHILE AND THEY HAVE HELD UP WELL.  I USE THEM FOR WALLEYE, BUT FRIEND HAS THEM ALSO AND WE HAVE TROLLED LAKE MICHIGAN AND THEY WORK FINE.

Displaying 1 to 11 of 11 posts

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