TOPIC:

I'm looking for some recommendations on new trolling reels for basic lake michigan downrigger use. Is there one that is decent quality without breaking the bank? Any preferences among cabelas depthmaster metal line counter, Okuma cold water line counter, or Daiwa accudepth plus?

All the reels you mentioned are good choices. I have Okuma Magdas that have worked well. These are less costly. Still the majority of my reels are Okuma Convectors in the 30 size. A couple of size 20’s and 2 Penn Warfares round out my d/r reels. All are line counters but you don’t really have to have them. Regular level winds are cheaper and just as functional. In one regard they are better, no line counter to malfunction or break. Tight lines.

Okuma convectors 30 are nice for riggers along with Penn Warfare is nice too.

Have all three you mentioned And caught fish on them. If you catch enough on them you’ll have to replace the drags every once in a while but that’s basic for most reels. Only reels I never had to replace drags on are Garcia’s 7000 and tekotas reels. Drags are the most Important as the fish get bigger, not so much for coho in spring and walleye. If you Fish on the lake long enough You’ll start getting better setups. Mike

I have almost all convectors for my entire spread less a few random reels. They have performed great. I wish the drags were better, but they have never cost me a fish. At some point, I will probably do a retrofit on the drag washers. Functionally, I certainly cant complain.

Another vote for convectors and cold waters. In my opinion there the best bang for the buck.

I started out with mostly Magdas. They work but not nearly as comfortable as the 2 others i have stated. Also started having small issues with them after 1 or 2 years of play..

I use Okuma Magdas 20 DXT, and have caught 20 plus fish on them with no issues and the line counter functions perfectly, I think I paid around $50 ea. on Amazon. However I being an old guy I have had my eye on the Abu Garcia 5500 LC they cost about $150.00 ea. but I can't bring myself to spend that much on a reel when the Okumas I have work so well.