I just got a Daiwa Accudepth 57LC for pulling u-rigs. What is the deal with the linecounter on this model? do the 57LC's have crappy linecounters too?

I use the Lowrance line counter for the most part, it is pretty reliable.

Looking at the sonar to drop your bait is by far the most accurate way to put your bait in the target zone, but the line counters have their place at times, especially if you fish with kids or friends that really don't know much about fishing. It lets them be more involved in baiting up and dealing with their own rod and reel. You don't have to send the baits down one at a time either. I know where you're coming from though.

As far as I know the 57 has the same linecounters in them as all the rest. Give them a try for a while and see if they work out for you. I think just about everybody I know has went thru at least a handful of them. I measure how far I let the rigs out by counting how many times the level wind goes back and forth anyway, so if all that goes out on you is the linecounter, you should be fine. I think the 57 should be 10' per levelwind, but that can be easily checked with a tape measure. It probably wouldn't hurt to cross reference how many level winds vs. what the line counter reads. When you let out 180 feet, the line counter could be off substantially anyway.

re: name change - I've been wanting to change mine (since I'm no longer fishing a triton at Lanier)how do you do this?

Oops, just picked up 2 new Accudepth 47's on Sunday for $50 each. Can't disagree about the Tekota's though...you get what you pay for, although I've not had any issues at all with the Accudepths. I saw the new Daiwa LC's out there and they seemed pretty nice for $135. I forgot what they're called but it's the model between the Accudepth/Sealine and the Saltist.

Clay will help you with it. I changed mine because I got tired of introducing myself as rooster. It was a nickname at a old job and at the time I used it for all my usernames. I didn't realize that I would meet so many people and have to say I'm ROOSTER.

Shoot me a pm Triton

Thanks for all the input... it is appreciated. Evidently, I've had good luck with some cheap reels so far, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before they start acting up. I do keep them in the boat, in the basement, so that's gotta help. The Okuma Convector looks to be the best value at the moment, if I can find one... then I can get some line, too.

I believe I own 5 of the worst linecounter reels available.
Out of my 5 (cheap) linecounter reels, I would rate them:
Okuma Magda Pro 20 -- haven't used it, yet. $43
best -- Accudepth Plus 27. $60
tie for best -- Accudepth Plus 47. $65
worst -- Abu Garcia A20LC. $40
tie for worst -- Cabela's Depth Master 2 (DM30 I think). $40

I had to start somewhere... I would rather have 5 baits in the water with $248 than just 1 or 2. Now that I have a start, it's time to step-up the quality a bit, and re-use some of my current reels for U-rig and/or lead-core.

My first striper (14.5 pounds) was caught using a zebco rod (which broke a few trips later) and a small and busted Mitchell baitcast reel. I didn't even have any rod holders in the boat, and I wasn't holding the rod when it bent OVER. I thought I had snagged a log. LOL

By the way, Penn does have a 310GT2LC.

Lastly, the new Diawa is a Sealine-LCX... looks like it will replace the current Sealine: link to diawa sealine lcx

I think we all started out with the Accudepth reels and I bet they've put more fish in the boat than all the rest of them. I have upgraded over the years and am very happy with the Tekota and the Catalina and I do have the big Convecter 45 on a Tiger rod for u-rigs and it seems pretty solid for the moment. Also Oakwood B&T has a selection of used combos if you wanted to go that route and at a very good price.

I think I need a second job so I can get some of these high dollar reels. Anyone want to rent a boat or maybe some slip space?