Spooning a fishing reel correctly determines your fishing efficiency and your success rate when you finally venture into the waters. Even more, your success at casting a fishing reel depends on how you spool your reel.
While the process is often a highly tasking undertaking, you can quickly learn and master the procedure in a few minutes. We present you with a guide on how to spool a fishing reel properly.
Spooling a fishing reel poorly is a recipe for twists, tangles, foul-ups, and bird’s nests. Indeed, these are problems that you can easily avoid by doing the right thing. Interestingly, while this guide exclusively outlines the steps involved in spooling a spinning reel, it also applies to all the other types of fishing reels.
Again, this is the right place for you if you want to learn everything about the various types of lines you can use to spool your fishing reel.
Table of Contents
Step by Step Guide On How to Spool a Spinning Reel
The following guide is your ultimate guide to spooling a fishing reel;
Step 1- Choose The Right Type of Line
There are different types of fishing lines that you can use to spool your gear. And every kind of string has a unique spooling method and capacity.
Interestingly, many spinning reel models or other types of fishing reels have a recommendation for the desired line capacity written on the side of the spool. The line capacity is the optimal pound strength of the fishing line that a reel can use. It is also the total length of string that a reel can hold.
So, you will need to choose the right optimal line strength depending on your reel size and what you intend to use it for. More importantly, you will need to select the right type of line.
Common types include;
a. Monofilament Lines
Monofilament lines are one of the most common types of single-strand lines. They characteristically float on water, making them favorites for top-water fishing. You will also find the ideal for floating baits and bobbers. Besides, they are great for jigs and live baits.
Monofilament lines are also pretty elastic, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Firstly, elasticity is what you need for fighting a big game. The elasticity helps to prevent breakage on light spinning tackles. On the other hand, the line will easily stretch and compromise your ability to set your hook efficiently, which can be a big issue if you are hooking fish over a long distance.
b. Fluorocarbon Lines
Fluorocarbon lines are also single-strand lines. They stand out as the most invisible lines, making them ideal for catching fish in clear water.
The other advantage of fluorocarbon lines is that they sink easier than other options. Thus, you will find them appropriate for bottom water fishing. Finally, setting the hook is also more straightforward with the fluorocarbon lines as they feature minimal stretch.
c. Braided Lines
Unlike the first two types, braid lines consist of several jagged lines that form a braid. The fact that it consists of several lines makes them perfectly durable and ideal for battling big fish. Braid lines also feature an impressive balance between minimal elasticity and remarkable sinking ability. Thus, you will find them special for deep water fishing and casting from long distances.
However, its visibility is a problem if you are fishing in clear waters. You do not want your target to see your line through to the bait. But you can get around this obstacle by using fluorocarbon or mono lines as lead lines to your braid.
Step 2- Load Your Reel
Loading your line is the first real step towards spooling your fishing reel. But before you load your reel, it is essential to ascertain that the reel is clean. You can also learn how to clean a fishing reel.
And to load your reel, you will need to go through the following short procedure;
- Confirm if your reel turns correctly by turning the wheel at least a couple of times. The direction in which the reel rotates is the same way you will spool your line into the reel.
- Flip-up the tiny handle to open the bail. Check the spool for any dust, debris, and old lines. You can clean it off.
- String your rod by passing your string through the line guides beneath the rod. You can start from the guide closest to the tip, downwards.
- Secure your line on the spool using an arbor not or any knot that you may prefer.
- Snip off the line with a pair of scissors about ¼-inches away from your knot.
Step 3- Spool Your Reel
Once done with the arbor knot, close the bail and lay the spool on a flat surface. Ensure that you have your spool’s label facing up so that your line comes out of your spool just the way it will get into the reel.
Check for line twists and flip the bail over.
Pinch the line gently around the entrance and crank the reel about 20 consecutive times. Check the line for twists from time to time and realign the line in case of twists.
Continue adding the line until your line is about 1/8-inches to the spool’s rim. Doing so ensures that you have sufficient line on your fishing gear.
Do that even if you think that the line is too long, as the extra line will come in handy when you need to cut off a piece of the line. Occasionally, anglers need to cut off some string when changing lures, clearing snags, or getting rid of a twist.
However, avoid filling your spool to the brim. Just like underfilling your spool could cause tangles, overloading your spool will also cause problems during casting.
Step 4- Cut Off the Line
Use a scissor or a line cutter to snip off the line from the supply pool. Please do not cut it too close, as you will need a small piece of excess string to secure it using a lure or tape.
Step 5- Secure the Free End of the Spool
Securing the free end of the spool prevents your line from coming out unraveled. You can do this using a swivel, a clip, or a lure. For spools that come with tabs, tie the end of your line around the tab.
Final Words
And you have it, comrades. We hope that you can now spool your reel without any issues using this detailed guide on how to spool a fishing reel. And since spooling a reel is one of the most complex processes, you can now set up your fishing gear after you master these tips.
Finally, we hope that you will not face any annoying tangles and twists during your fishing spree. Which step do you find a bit stressful?
Anthony has been an angler for the past 15 years. His experience makes him an invaluable asset to FISHING GEN and writes on fishing expeditions as well as fishing gear.