Striper reels and rods.

[Dan the fisherman]

I was given a gift card to Cabelas this Christmas.  I have 2 of everything it seems.  The only things I don't have is deicate striper rods and reels.  I ended up buying shimano ltd 15 lever drag reels and a couple of Berkeley 7 foot MH rods.  I spooled up with 50lb braid and will use 12 pound fluro leader when live baiting and straight braid if pulling umbrellas.   I'll keep y'all posted when I get to use them.  

[J-Doc]

I have 2 Cabelas Depth Master rod and reel combos with line counters on the reels.  I've caught several with them and the drag works well.  Strong rods too.   

I just don't spend a lot of money on rods and reels anymore.  I have not seen the advantage vs the price invested and I can do what I do with a $50 rod that I can with my $200 rods. So a striper rod is not needed for sensitivity more so than raw backbone. 

[J-Doc]

They have the Depth Master combos in the store too. 

[Blll]

Take a look at the Okuma "Cold Water"line counter reels. Right around a C note. Paired with an Ugly Stick Striper rod and you're in business for less than $150. 

[Dan the fisherman]

12 hours ago, Blll said:

Take a look at the Okuma "Cold Water"line counter reels. Right around a C note. Paired with an Ugly Stick Striper rod and you're in business for less than $150. 

I bought one of those reels last week also.  

[Dan the fisherman]

13 hours ago, J-Doc said:

I have 2 Cabelas Depth Master rod and reel combos with line counters on the reels.  I've caught several with them and the drag works well.  Strong rods too.   

I just don't spend a lot of money on rods and reels anymore.  I have not seen the advantage vs the price invested and I can do what I do with a $50 rod that I can with my $200 rods. So a striper rod is not needed for sensitivity more so than raw backbone. 

I looked at those also.  I believe those were star drag.  I wanted to try the lever drag reels. 

[Okie4Life]

I have 4 of the depth counters, 2 series II and 2 series III.  They are great reels for the price, but we have had issues with the depth counter not working right.  Fishing a flat bottom in 50 FOW we would have one rod read 70-ish ft.  Never seemed to be that same rod that was off though.  They do have a lifetime warranty though.  Hard to beat for the price.

[J-Doc]

Boat drift probably a factor. 

Also, line counter is better than no line counter.  At least for me it is. 

[rps]

Respectfully, I disagree with J-Doc. You can buy a much better reel without a linecounter for the same money. To judge the depth/distance use Power Pro metered braid (4 colors per 100 feet) Learn the Crazy Alberto knot to attach a mono leader to the braid if needed. (Many times you will not need to do this)

[Blll]

3 hours ago, rps said:

Respectfully, I disagree with J-Doc. You can buy a much better reel without a linecounter for the same money. To judge the depth/distance use Power Pro metered braid (4 colors per 100 feet) Learn the Crazy Alberto knot to attach a mono leader to the braid if needed. (Many times you will not need to do this)

RPS, I don't disagree about the line counters costing more. But for me, I fish alone most of the time and I need the line counter as I may have 4 rods dispensing line at the same time while I move around the boat watching each reel and tending to the trolling motor too. It would take forever to watch each reel and monitor the color changes. I do use the metered braid on my final 5th rod if used. Just sayin'.