HOW TO SPOOL LINE ONTO A REEL
By Ken Poor
When choosing your fishing line, line size (pound test) and its handling characteristics are much more important than the brand name. Select the line size that best matches the type of fishing you plan to do. There is no single type of fishing line that is suitable for all types of fishing.
For example, if you plan to jig for walleye in most cases eight-pound test line would typically be a good choice, but if you were casting jigs for largemouth bass in heavy weed cover you would use at least 20-pound test or even heavier line. The point is what you plan to fish for and the technique you use is more important than the brand as long as the line is a high-quality product.
Equally as important as the line you select is to properly spool it onto your reels. If you don’t spool your reels correctly, you will have major problems when you try to cast and this is especially true with spinning reels. If you spool the line on your fishing reels incorrectly, especially your spinning reel, the results will be line twist, loops, tangles and backlashes when you cast.
SPINNING REEL
The key factor when filling the spool on your spinning reel is to make sure the line goes on your reel spool the same way it comes off the manufacturer’s filler spool.For most spinning reels, and there are some exceptions, the line must go onto the spool in the clockwise direction.
To determine the direction that your spinning reel will put line onto the spool, look at the front of the reel as you turn the reel’s handle. If the bail turns in a clockwise direction it puts the line on the spool in a clockwise direction.
Equally important is to have the line come off the filler spool onto your reel in a clockwise direction. To do this, with the spool label facing you and free tag end at the top of the spool if the tag end is pointing to your left the line will come off the spool clockwise.
The next step is to attach the line to the spool. To do this, put the filler spool on the ground with label facing up face up. Feed the line from the filler spool through the rod guides to the reel. With the reel bail open, make a loop around the spool. Tie the line on the spool using the Arbor Knot. Close the bail on your reel.
Before you fill the spool it is important to check for loops and twists in your line. To do this turn your reel handle about six times and check for loops or twists. If there are loops and twist in your line turn the filler spool over.
When you wind the line onto your reel it is very important to maintain tension on the line while you fill your reel spool. Simply pinch the line between your index finger and thumb above the reel below the first guide. Fill the spool until the line is 1/8 of an inch below the rim of the reel maintaining pressure on the line at all times. At this point you are ready to tie on a lure and go fishing.
BAITCASTING REELS
Spooling fishing line on a bait casting reel is much easier than spooling line onto a spinning reel. To fill the spool on a bait casting reel, thread the line from the filler spool, through the rod guides and the level wind device on the reel. Make a loop around the spool and tie the line to the spool with an Arbor Knot.
Before you wind the line onto your reel it is very important to maintain tension on the line while you fill the spool. Simply pinch the line between your index finger and thumb above the reel just below the first guide. Fill the spool until the line is 1/8 of an inch below the rim of the reel maintain pressure on the line at all times. At this point you are ready to tie on your favorite lure and go fishing.