reel calibration

[whitecapper]

I own 4 of the clip-on style Shakespeare line counters. Put one on your rod and run out a 100', then measure it. Then take your second clip-on and put it on the same rod and run out another 100'. How accurate are they and is one clip-on the same as the second clip-on? Do the test yourself. If you are happy with the results, life is good, if the variation is acceptable to you, things are still good. You will know. Good luck in your search for the best way to calibrate your reels.

So the clipons measure the same. I put 2 on at the same time and pulled 50 ft. 2 on the same rod. The difference between a line counter reel and a clip on is the clip on measures line as it runs across a cylinder(?) which means line dia. has no effect. A line counter reel uses the guide bar as a measure. So the guide bar makes 1 pass, the reel says that is x amt of feet out, however if your dia is different then different amounts of line are coming off the reel in 1 pass.

If the reel manufacturers would not be so cheap and just incorporate a counter similar to what a clipon does the problem would be solved. I don't know why someone doesn't yet.