Spooling Line

Baitcasting Reels

Spooling line on baitcasting equipment is relatively easy. I always make sure to put approximately two wraps of masking tape on the spool before putting the line on. Most anglers only do this when using “superbraid” type lines, but I’ve always done this and I feel that “if it ain’t broke, don't fix it.”

Run the line through at least the first guide (closest to the reel seat) and through the level wind guide. Tie the line to the reel spool with your favorite knot (a lot of debate on which knot to use). I then attach the spool of line to a commercially available line spooler that has a suction cup on the base. You can stick a pencil through the hole in the spool and have some one hold it. I position the spool of line perpendicular to the ground so that the line runs over the top of the spool on to the reel. Fill reel to approximately 1/8 inch of spool edge.

Spinning Reels

Spinning reels are a little harder to spool line on to. They have a tendency to confuse anglers, complaining of "line twist". The newer reels have larger diameter line rollers, causing less twist.

Another item that leads to a majority of line twist with spinning reels is reeling when the drag is going. This should be considered a BIG "no-no".

The application of the line is not very complicated if you follow these steps:

1. Just like my baitcasting equipment, I always makes sure to put approximately two wraps of masking tape on spinning reel spools.
2. Run the line through the first guide (again, this is closest to the reel seat) and tie it to the reel spool.
3. Place the spool of line on the floor and make sure that the line is coming off the spool COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (to the left).
4. Wind about 10 yards of line onto the reel and give the line hanging down some slack. At this point, there should be no MAJOR twist in the line. IF it twist together, you need to flip the spool of line over.
5. If their are no major twist, put another 10 yards of line on the reel. Check again for twisting. Again, if their is twisting, flip the spool of line over. If no twisting occurs, continue with this method until the reel is filled to within 1/8 inch of the spool lip. Over-filling will cause the line to fall off the reel.

All Reels

A couple of things that I do with all of my reels is to go out in my yard, attach the end of my line to a ball-bearing swivel and attach the swivel to a small post. I attach the swivel to the post by running the swivel through an old key chain split ring and then running a piece of rope through the split ring and tie it around the tree.

Next, I let out about 20 yards of line and, pointing the rod tip straight at the swivel, pull the rod back to pre-stretch the line. I then let out about 50 yards of line out and repeat the process until I get to the end of the spool.

Pre-stretching the line does wonders to the "fishability" of it and can also take some older line and make them behave better.

Line Soaking

I don't recommend line soaking, especially with monofilament line. All of the test that I have seen indicate that mono looses up to 40% of its strength because of line soaking. As the line absorbs water, it is weakened.

If you use fluorocarbon (as I do in most cases), line soaking is useless because fluorocarbon does not absorb water. Fluorocarbon line users that are having trouble with memory should take a look at Seaguar’s new Carbon Pro line. It is the only 100% fluorocarbon line designed expressly for casting, and I have found it to be light years ahead of other lines.