If you are thinking about getting in the sport of fishing, learning how to spool a spinning reel is the first thing you will need to master. The only thing that is connecting the fish to your fishing rod is your line, so learning how to spool a spinning reel is very important. Playing with your fishing gear is always more fun than to fool around with it, but some maintenance routines are unavoidable—take changing your line periodically for example. This is imperative or else be prepared to be heartbroken when that big fish snaps off your old line.
Fortunately, spooling a reel with a fresh line is relatively simple for anglers using spinning reels. You don’t need to have any sophisticated tools other than a pair of line cutters, and the whole process requires less than 10 minutes to complete. Anyways, below is a step-by-step direction to spool a spinning reel properly.
Types of Line
Modern fishing lines are made from various materials and processes and each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. There are primarily three categories of fishing lines which we detailed below. However, there are exceptions, but for most anglers, this is all they need to be familiar with.
Monofilament Lines
Typically made from nylon, monofilament lines are of single-strand. They are known to be the least expensive of the three types of lines we will be showcasing here. Monofilament lines are also have been in use much longer than the other two alternatives. This line can stretch quite a bit and this characteristic makes it difficult to set the hook. However, this is also beneficial due to the lines additional flexibility which prevents the hooks from getting free from the fish’s mouth.
Braided Lines
Braided lines, as their name suggests, consists of several lengths of synthetic materials such as Dacron or Spectra. The materials (Dacron or Spectra) are braided together to form a single line. Anglers may face difficulty to cast lures far away with braided lines when compared to monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. However, just like monofilament lines, they offer some benefits. For instance, braided lines don’t stretch at all and they are extremely durable. Furthermore, they sink slowly, which is makes it an ideal choice for those looking for fishing topwater baits.
Fluorocarbon Lines
This category of fishing line is the newest of the three basic line types discussed here. However, their popularity has soared among many anglers and quickly become a favorite. Fluorocarbon lines are basically “monofilament lines” because they’re made from a single strand. But, in general, the term monofilament lines is exclusively used to refer to nylon monofilament lines. Fluorocarbon lines have some pretty good advantages. For instance, the fish finds it very difficult to see the lines underwater, they don’t stretch like traditional monofilament lines, and they have some form of resistance against abrasions.
Selecting The Correct Line Diameter
After deciding the type of line you like to see on your fishing rod, you must determine the ideal line diameter. Fishing lines have varying diameters which correspond with their strength. The thicker the line is, the sturdier is it. Most fishing lines have labels that mention the amount of weight they can support. For instance, a line labeled as 10-lbs-test is expected to carry approximately 10 pounds of weight. We recommend you use a line that is strong enough to support the weight of the fish you are hoping to catch. You don’t want to fish a striped bass with 4-pound-test line because the line will break before you even bring the fish out of the water. However, you should make sure you don’t use a line that is so heavy that it will interfere with the way your lures behaves.
Lures
The lures you intend to use plays a crucial role while choosing your fishing line. Most anglers tend to use the lightest line available, typically a line that falls 6- to 10-pound-test bracket. For these kinds of lines small soft plastic lures and jerk baits works best. For heavier lines like a 65-pound-test braided line floating frogs lures are a good choice. Crankbaits, swimbaits, or spinnerbaits also work best for 8- to 12-pound-test lines.
How To Spool A Spinning Reel Properly
Step 1
Hold the reel in a way like you were fishing. Crank the reel a few times and watch which direction the reel turns during cranking.
Step 2
Open the bail and get rid of all the old line. Pass the new line through the guides of your fishing rod and fasten it to the spool with an arbor knot. There will be some excess line from the knot, trim it away with a line cutter or a pair of scissors. Don’t cut the excess line from the bottom of the knot. You may keep about ¼-inch of the line extending beyond the knot.
Step 3
Position the spool of the new line flat on the ground. Place the spool in a manner so that the line appears in the same direction that it will go through the reel’s spool. This will prevent the line from twisting. If you notice that the line is coming off properly with the label-side faced up of the supply spool, flip it over.
Step 4
Pinch the line about 12 inches above the reel and keep it pressed. Begin cranking the reel slowly while letting the line slide through your fingers. After cranking the reel for around 20 times, check the line for twists. If you see any line twists, strip some of the lines back off your reel. Now, flip the spool of a fresh line to the other side.
Step 5
Once you ensured that the line is not twisting, continue cranking the reel and continue loading the spool with the line. Remember not to keep cranking non-stop because you still need to stop and inspect the line for twists.
Step 6
Stop cranking the spool once you find the line comes within 1/8 of an inch of the spool’s rim. This step will ensure that you have sufficient amount of line on your reel, even if you need to cut off a significant portion of the line should the need arises such as snags. Furthermore, this will also ensure that you don’t overload the reel, which can lead to tangles.
Step 7
Lastly, after the reel has been fully spooled, cut the line off near the supply spool. Tie a clip, swivel, or lure onto the free end of the line. This will stop it from retracting through the guides.
At last but not least, avoid using a line that is too strong for your fishing rod, or else you will snap the rod in two. Consequently, if you use a weak line than your rod’s rating, you may end up breaking your line while setting the hook