With a properly spooled spinning reel, the chances of catching a big fish out on the water are very high. However, you barely will have that chance if you go fishing with a poorly spooled spinning reel or if you lack the necessary knowledge of spooling one properly.
A poorly spooled spinning reel has lots of twists and tangles. Besides, it’ll mostly send you back to your home empty-handed and feeling failed. The only way you can avoid such repercussions is by going fishing with a properly spooled spinning reel.
So, if you don’t know how to spool a spinning reel properly, don’t worry because we’ve got your back. Here, in this article, we’re going to walk you through the steps that will lead you toward having an accurately spooled spinning reel, therefore having a great time fishing.
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Important Things to Remember
Before we start off with the main points and parts regarding this topic, there are a few crucial things we’re going to mention first. So, if you’re really serious about learning to spool a spinning reel, read this section with your full focus and attention.
Unlike baitcasting reels, spinning reels work with lighter lines and lures. Therefore, under these sorts of limitations, you can’t expect every fishing line option will perform excellently. So, we highly recommend that you check the reel before you make a decision on the line of your choice.
If you take a look at the reel, you’ll find crucial information regarding the line capacity over there. This capacity outlines the specific line weight your reel has the ability to bear, as well as the length of the line, or how much fishing line the reel is capable of holding. So, you must remain extremely cautious when you’re matching the line to the reel’s capacity.
Once you’ve successfully managed to harmonize the line with the capacity of the reel, you must gather the equipment that you’ll surely need for spooling a spinning reel. This equipment includes; a fishing rod, a spinning reel, monofilament, and braided fishing lines.
However, having braided lines by your side is completely your choice. It’s not as important as the other three types of equipment we’ve stated. Once you’ve accounted for everything, you’re completely free to start the spooling process, or in this case, read about the steps necessary to do for this process.
How to Spool a Spinning Reel [Step-by-Step Guide]
Choose The Line
Before you learn the simple process of spooling a spinning reel, it’s important that you’re choosing the right line for it. In most cases, you’ll have no problem figuring that out because you’ll find the recommended line capacity written on the spool of the spinning reel; which we’ve mentioned before.
The line capacity usually symbolizes the optimal pound strength of the line you can use on it, as well as the length it’s capable of bearing. The choice regarding the optimal line strength is dependent on the size of the reel.
Aside from choosing the right strength, you also have to decide on the type of line you’re going to spool on to your spinning reel. You should choose a line according to the place you’re going to fish and the equipment you’re going to use for fishing.
There are mainly three kinds of fishing lines; monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Each of these lines has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages.
Monofilament: Monofilament lines are single strand lines. They have this tendency to float on top of the water, which is why they’re the ideal choice for topwater fishing, fishing with bobbers or floating baits.
They have plenty of elasticity, which extends the flexibility of the line; therefore helping the hook in staying secured inside the fish’s mouths.
However, this high elasticity can be a problem for you if you’re attempting to look at a great distance. It’s because the stretch of the line will reduce your ability in setting the hook efficiently.
Still, it’s indeed an inarguable fact that they’re great for catching a big fish on a light spinning tackle, as the elasticity will assist you in preventing breakage.
Fluorocarbon: fluorocarbon line is another kind of single-stranded line. One of the biggest advantages that come with using them is their virtual invisibility. Fishes in calm, shallow waters are unable to detect these lines. Hence, they’re perfect for catching shy fish in clear water.
Though they share some similarities with monofilament lines, they have less stretch and sink more readily than them. In fact, they’re more reactive toward light bites and bottom contacts.
So, if you want to have a better bottom fishing experience, as well as set the hook at ease, then you should choose these lines. You should even consider picking them if you’re planning to fish with jigs and live bait.
Braid: Braided lines contain several lengths of braided synthetic material for creating one line. They’re extremely durable, making them perfect for combating large fish. In addition to that, they don’t stretch much and they’re capable of sinking quite well slowly; which is why they’re so perfect for fishing at a great distance.
However, the visibility of braided lines is higher, compared to monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. This can cause quite a problem if you’re fishing in clear water. There’s the only way you can get around this problem and is by tying a mono or fluoro line to the main braid.
Load The Reel
Before you load the reel, you must first determine whether it turns clockwise or counterclockwise. The easiest way you can determine its rotation is by holding the reel the same way you would when fishing. Then, you need to turn the wheel at least 2-3 times. In this way, the line will start peeling off the spool when you’re beginning to cast. You should never put so much line on the reel that it comes out to the lip of the spool.
However, if the reel’s not mounted on the rod, then you have to wrap the fingers of your casting hand around the mounting bar and allow the reel to hang from that hand while you’re reeling with your other hand. In this way, you’ll stay assured that you’re holding the reel properly.
Once you’ve determined the rotation of the reel, you then have to open the ball by flipping up the small handle. The ball is a little wire handle that can flip up and down for closing it.
If you want to open the bail, you should flip the ball up. On the other hand, if you want to close the bail when you’re finished, flip it down. If you see any old fishing line on the spool, you must try removing it instantly.
Finally, you need to string the line straight through the guides and secure it. The guides are a series of small circles that can line the bottom of the rod and retain the line in place.
For this step, use an arbor knot to secure the line to the spool. you need to tie an arbor knot, for which you’d have to wrap the line around the arbor and tie an overhead knot in the line, as well as a second overhead knot in the tag end.
Make sure the second one is 1 inch away from the first one. Afterward, you must pull the standing line to slide the first and second knot down to the spool and the first knot, respectively.
If you see any extra lines, cut them with line cutters or scissors. Also, you must ensure there are at least a ¼ inch of extra line from the place you tied the knot.
Spool The Reel
First of all, you need to close the bail and place the spool on the floor. You must lay it flat on the floor with the label facing up. Otherwise, the line won’t enter properly. It’s essential that the spool lines up so that the line can come off of the spool the same way it’ll be going inside of the reel.
If you find the line twisted or if it doesn’t line up when the label side of the spool is facing up, then you should flip it over. In this way, you’ll be able to avoid any problems that come with a twisted line.
After that, you have to pinch the line lightly, about 12 inches above the reel, and pull it tight. Then, crank the reel slowly 20 times and let it slide right through your pinched fingers. Afterward, stop cranking and check to see whether it’s twisting.
If you see it twisting, cut some of the lines back off of your reel and realign the spool and the line. While you’re loading the line, you should always apply light pressure to it, no matter what. Or else, it’ll end up being loose and tangled later.
On the other hand, if you don’t see it twisting, continue cranking the reel. You should keep on adding the line slowly and stop every 20-30 cranks for inspection.
If you find any line twists after the second attempt, then unfortunately so you’re going to have to start the entire process from the scratch. If you’ve already flipped the spool after inspecting it first, then straighten out the twist and continue slowly.
For the next step, you need to fill the spool until it’s 1/8 inch away from the rim. This will provide you with plenty of lines to use, even if you had cut off a larger piece of the line while you were changing the lures or clearings, without overloading the fishing reel.
However, one thing you must always keep in mind is that you should never fill the spool to the very edge. Underfilling or overloading the spool will create tangles and problems with casting.
Following that, you’re going to need to use line cutters or scissors for cutting the line close to the supply spool. After you’ve cut the line, place a small piece of tape over the free end on the spool. This will prevent the spool from coming unraveled.
Last but not the least; Most spinning reels today come with braid-ready spools. you have to secure the line on the spool. You can do this with a lure, swivel, or clip. Whichever equipment you choose to secure the free end of the line, all of them will prevent it from slipping through the guides.
Apart from this equipment, you can try wrapping a rubber band around the spool. Furthermore, if it includes a tab in it, try tying the end of the line around the tab.
Spooling a Spinning Reel with Braided Lines
The process of spooling a spinning reel with braided lines is similar to the one that involves the use of monofilament lines. However, spooling a spinning reel with a braid comes with a number of extra steps which are quite essential to take.
First, you’ll require both a monofilament and a braided line. It’s because you’ll be filling the first part of the spool with a monofilament line, while the rest of the part with a braided line. So, you’re going to have to all of the steps you’d normally do when loading the reel.
Then, you must use a double overhand knot for tying the mono line to the spool. After that, start to fill it until it’s half full. The next thing you have to do is cut the monofilament line and make use of an Albright knot in order to tie it to the end of the braided line.
Once you’ve managed to tie the two lines together successfully, you should keep on filling the spool with braided lines. There are going to be some ‘rope burn’ situations during the spooling process. If you want to avoid facing such situations, run the line through a wet rag.
You should continue doing this until there’s at least a 1/8-inch gap remaining at the edge of the spool. As soon as there is, immediately cut off the end. That is the end of the entire process and you’re ready as new to start fishing.
Final words
Spooling a spinning reel is an easy enough task, regardless of what kind of lines you use. Even if you’re doing this for the first time, we can assure you that with time and practice, you’ll constantly get better at this; in fact, be capable of doing these steps with your eyes closed.
We really hope that you’ve enjoyed this step-by-step, thorough guide we created for you and found it useful enough to share it with your fishing mates who’re struggling to spool a spinning reel.
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