Ok this whole learning curve thing sucks...

thanks guys! I'll have to give the pull method a shot. I've seen people do it, but on my spinning reel while having to paddle I was getting as fast as I could then I hit the bail and counted the amount of times the line came around the spool. for the most part it worked, but being new to this it was a guessing game. I would troll for 20-30 then check and hope my tackle wasn't knotted up.  I did notice the biggest problem area was on the connection between the dodger and my rubber snubber. do you guys even use these?

I haven't used them yet, honestly don't know why you would?... my dad fishes for kokes out of his small aluminum boat and he and most people he knows don't use em...

no worries wired I also use the pull count method like rr but since I don't have a mirage drive it gets complicated a little, I got to get going stop paddling then I do about 10 pulls then paddle to keep my momentum going and repeat till I have pulled out the amount of line I want out... takes awhile but you get the hang of it

I've found it helpfull to use bobber stops to mark pulls.  That way, you can just open the bail and let line fly until you're at the stop.  On a calm day it doesn't matter that much but when it's windy, it really makes a difference.

-Spot-

I keep a small bottle of bright fingernail polish handy to mark my line at different lengths when using mono. Its funny the look on peoples face when they see that in my tackle box though.

I keep a small bottle of bright fingernail polish handy to mark my line at different lengths when using mono. Its funny the look on peoples face when they see that in my tackle box though.

ohh come on tell us the truth... its for when you chip a nail while fishing isn't it lol

Oh and maybe its because its right next to the syringe used to blow up worms!