Cold Water Line Counter Reel
4.5(2,100)4.5 out of 5 stars, 2,100 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenThe line counter that put repeatable trolling depths within reach of everyone with a boat and eight rod holders.
Shimano
Shimano · Reels
Tekota A Line Counter
4.8(1,600)4.8 out of 5 stars, 1,600 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenThe reel the charter fleet actually runs, with a drag that stays smooth through a 20-pound king's third run.
Check price on Amazon$300— Tekota A Line CounterPrice shown was accurate on 2026-09-01. Amazon sets the live price.
What's good
- Cross-carbon drag is genuinely smooth from startup — no stutter that pops a hook on light leader
- Hagane cold-forged gearing holds tolerance after years of copper and wire
- Counter accuracy holds well across a season instead of drifting a few percent
- Full size range from 300 for riggers up to 800 for 400-foot copper
What isn't
- Three times the price of an Okuma — an eight-rod spread runs past $2,000
- No line-out alarm volume control; the clicker is either on and loud or off
- The A-series handle knob is small for cranking a heavy diver in from 200 feet
We list the drawbacks because a recommendation with no downside is a sales pitch. If a cheaper item does the job on your water, the write-up says so.
Also worth a look
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