Follow up on "first striper" line counter reel questions

[Rwren]

Few more questions: Concerning the clicker feature on some reels.  On my first trip, I was always "looking at my rods",  which was a bit of a problem as I was having to work a conventional trolling motor with no lock mode to keep it straight.  Don't own one of those great $1000-$2500 graphic sonar fish finders.   Is the clicker "sound" a big plus?  And while the price of the Okuma magma is great, does it have a clicker??  Wanting to buy the Okuma coldwater reel,,,, is the 203 D model big enough to handle a good striper??  My 1 and only striper so far was caught on an abu garcia ambassador 6500, which handled my 24 lb fish fine.  That reel had  NO  clicker.  Is  the 5500 ambassador line counter with a clicker stout enough, or do I need to buy a 6500?   HELP BEFOE I BUY   THXS.

[nomolites]

You don’t need heavy line to catch big stripers, just a quality reel, good quality line, and a properly set drag.  For trolling or bait fishing the clicker will alert you to a strike and you can otherwise focus on boat control.  This is a big plus, especially if using multiple rods.  Always set your drag a bit light, especially when trolling, and life will be much easier.  Almost all of my setups are 10# line, either braid(trolling) or fluorocarbon, with the exception of my “deep” trolling rods which are rigged with lead core(18#).  You should only need the larger reels for lead core or a very heavy mono...suggest you decide what line you would like to use and size your reel accordingly.

Good luck!

Mike

[Ruger5555]

I have the cheaper okuma and it clicks. Check Ebay. I saved some money buying new ones there. 

[rps]

I respectfully disagree with some suggestions made. 10# braid is all you need. Any more drag tension only insures you will lose fish during the fight.

Go with line in the 2# to 6# visibility range, but keep the drag light, and the room dark and substance free.

 

[Blll]

Certainly not an expert but I have gone through the learning curve and have a few thoughts on these reels. I use the smallest Okuma Coldwater reel. Good clicker, drag, and counter. Looks good too. I started with the Magma to save $$ but they were not as smooth. I use 12# floro. More than strong enough. I got away from braid only because most of them float and at slow speeds with little or no sinker, it made a difference. Yes I get it that braids smaller diameter should overcome this but I've actually had the braid floating at slow speeds. I never tried 10# and might be wrong. I use the transition type floro as it helps these old eyes track the line. As far as drag settings, I think it depends on the hook used, circle hook or not. If you have to "set" the hook, your drag should be tighter. With circle hooks, they need to run a little before the hooks catch. Since switching to only circle hooks, I rarely miss a hook up. JMO Congrats on your 1st Striper! 

[rps]

On 1/12/2021 at 11:03 PM, rps said:

I respectfully disagree with some suggestions made. 10# braid is all you need. Any more drag tension only insures you will lose fish during the fight.

Go with line in the 2# to 6# visibility range, but keep the drag light, and the room dark and substance free.

 

I just found this typo. How strange. I think I hit a "paste" from another source. Weird.