I run 10# on my rods with a 6# flouro leader. I wouldn't use the line counter for anything other than a guesstimate as to how far your line is out. Big John nailed it on the head the first hundred and last hundred are very different. It just really lets you return your line to the same depth as you previously had out. Say you catch a fish and your line counter reads 175, when you are ready to let out again you can run your line back out to 175 on the counter and your lure should be at the same depth. That is all I really use it for, just a reference tool.