How to Fishing Line on Reel: A Complete Guide

How to Fishing Line on Reel: A Complete Guide

Fishing is a timeless hobby that requires both skill and patience, and one of the most fundamental aspects of fishing is correctly putting a line on your reel. Properly loading your reel with fishing line ensures you can cast your line further, reduces tangles, and prevents frustrating knots that can ruin your fishing experience. In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about how to put a fishing line on a reel step-by-step, ensuring your reel is properly spooled for optimal performance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Spooling Fishing Line on a Reel

1. Choose the Right Fishing Line

The first step to properly loading a fishing reel is selecting the appropriate fishing line. There are three main types of fishing lines:

• Monofilament: This is the most commonly used line. It's affordable, has good stretch, and is ideal for beginners.
• Fluorocarbon: This line is nearly invisible underwater and is great for clear water fishing.
• Braided Line: It has little to no stretch, is highly durable, and is ideal for heavy-duty fishing.

The type of fishing line you use depends on the type of fish you're targeting, your fishing environment, and personal preferences. Choosing the wrong line can affect your performance, so ensure you pick one that fits your fishing style.

2. Determine the Line Capacity of Your Reel

Before spooling the fishing line onto your reel, you need to determine how much line your reel can handle. Check your reel's packaging or side plate, where the manufacturer's recommended line capacity will be listed. This capacity is often presented in two ways: as a length (yards or meters) and the line's pound-test strength.

For example, your reel may say "8 lb test - 150 yards," meaning it can hold 150 yards of 8-pound test line. Using the correct amount of line will prevent overloading or underloading your reel, ensuring smoother casts and retrievals.

3. Gather the Necessary Tools

To successfully spool a fishing line on your reel, you’ll need a few basic tools. Gather the following items before you start:

• Fishing reel
• Fishing line (of your choice)
• A pair of scissors or line clippers
• A pencil or dowel (for spooling)

Having all these tools on hand will make the process smoother and prevent unnecessary interruptions.

4. Prepare the Reel

If you're using a spinning reel, you’ll need to ensure the bail is open before attaching the line. The bail is the wire arm on the reel that guides the line during casting and retrieval. Opening the bail ensures the line can freely wrap around the spool without any obstructions. This is a crucial step, as failure to do so will result in the line not sitting properly on the spool.

For baitcasting reels, make sure the reel is mounted on the rod securely, and the tension knob is properly adjusted for spooling.

5. Thread the Line Through the Guides

Once your reel is prepared, you need to thread the fishing line through the guides on your fishing rod. Start at the tip of the rod and work your way down through each guide, ensuring the line is running smoothly through each one.

This step is crucial for maintaining line tension and ensuring a uniform spooling process. Proper line threading ensures your line flows smoothly through the rod and reel during casting.

6. Attach the Line to the Reel

Attaching the fishing line to your reel is a simple process but must be done correctly to avoid slippage. There are a few methods to tie the line to the spool, but the Arbor knot is one of the most common and reliable options. Here’s how to tie it:

• Wrap the line around the spool.
• Tie an overhand knot around the standing part of the line.
• Tie another overhand knot at the free end of the line.
• Pull both knots tight and trim any excess line with scissors.

This method ensures the line is securely attached to the spool, preventing it from slipping during the spooling process.

7. Apply Tension to the Line

While spooling the line, it’s important to maintain consistent tension. This helps prevent the line from twisting or tangling on the spool. One effective way to maintain tension is by having someone hold the fishing line spool with a pencil through the center hole. They should apply slight pressure to ensure smooth, even tension as you reel in.

Alternatively, if you're alone, place the spool on the floor and apply pressure with your foot or knee while reeling in slowly.

8. Spool the Line onto the Reel

Begin cranking the handle of your reel slowly to start spooling the line. Keep an eye on the line as it wraps around the spool to ensure it’s even and smooth. For spinning reels, make sure the line comes off the spool in the same direction that it is being wound onto the reel. This helps minimize line twist, which can cause tangles and reduce casting distance.

As you spool the line, check the tension periodically to ensure it's neither too loose nor too tight. Continue reeling until you've filled the spool to about 1/8 inch from the spool’s lip.

9. Cut the Line and Secure the Tag End

Once you’ve spooled the desired amount of line onto your reel, cut the line using a pair of scissors or clippers. Be sure to leave a small tag end, but don’t cut too close to the knot to avoid weakening it. After cutting, you can secure the tag end by wrapping it around the line clip on the spool (if your reel has one) or tying it to the line to keep everything tidy.

10. Test the Setup

After spooling your line, it’s crucial to test your setup before heading out on the water. Try a few practice casts in an open area to ensure the line flows smoothly off the reel without tangles or twists. Pay attention to any issues like backlash, tangles, or unusual noises, which might indicate that the line wasn’t spooled properly. If you notice any issues, it’s worth checking the tension and the way the line is laid on the spool.

11. Reel Maintenance Tips

Spooling the fishing line onto your reel correctly is only part of the process. Proper maintenance of both your reel and the line is essential for long-term use. Here are some maintenance tips to keep in mind:

• Regular Cleaning: After each fishing trip, especially in saltwater, rinse your reel and line with fresh water to remove debris and salt that can degrade both the reel and the line.
• Line Stretching: Monofilament lines, in particular, can develop memory over time, causing them to coil. Stretching the line gently before each trip can reduce line memory and improve casting distance.
• Check for Wear: Over time, fishing lines can become frayed or weakened, especially if they’re used in areas with sharp rocks or debris. Always check your line for signs of wear and replace it when necessary.

12. When to Replace the Fishing Line

Even with proper maintenance, fishing lines wear out over time and need to be replaced. The frequency of replacement depends on several factors:

• Type of Line: Monofilament lines degrade faster than braided or fluorocarbon lines and may need to be replaced more frequently.
• Usage: If you fish regularly, especially in rough or abrasive environments, your line will wear out quicker.
• Storage: Fishing lines stored in direct sunlight or exposed to extreme temperatures will degrade faster.

As a general rule, replace your monofilament line every season, while braided lines can last for several seasons if properly maintained.

13. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spooling a fishing line may seem simple, but many anglers make common mistakes that lead to frustration on the water. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Overfilling the Reel: Filling the reel with too much line can cause tangling and backlash. Always leave a small gap at the edge of the spool.
• Underfilling the Reel: Not putting enough line on the reel reduces casting distance and increases the chance of running out of line when fighting a fish.
• Using the Wrong Line Type: Matching the line to the fishing technique and environment is crucial. For example, using monofilament in deep water can lead to poor sensitivity.

Conclusion

Knowing how to properly put a fishing line on a reel is a fundamental skill that can dramatically enhance your fishing experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll avoid common problems like line tangles and twists, ensuring you’re ready for a successful day on the water. Proper line selection, maintaining the right tension, and regularly checking for wear will ensure your fishing line performs optimally.