Whether you are a complete novice or someone who has been fishing for decades, there are certain things you need to know.
One of the key skills for any angler to learn is how to put a fishing line on a reel. This variation is known to be easier than if you were using one for baitcasting yet can still prove tricky.
There is the spinning equipment to consider, the fishing line, and how to prevent line twists once you spool up a reel.
Also, you need to know how to ensure that the line stays in place so you are not caught out a few minutes later and have to redo it all again.
Though fundamental, the task should only take about ten minutes to put a new fishing line onto a reel.
That can be a lot longer if you do not know what you are doing, plus the fishing line can twist which can get really frustrating. New or old fishing lines can all be put onto a reel once you learn how.
The Equipment
With any fishing expedition, you need certain pieces of equipment to ensure you have the best chances of a successful afternoon. To put a fishing line on a reel requires some knowledge but also the right equipment at hand.
This includes a sharp pair of scissors to get through the fishing line and a long screwdriver to help with guiding the line. You will need a fishing rod for the reel as well as some thick cloth as a safety precaution.
The fishing line is also crucial and your chosen spool should align with the capacity and weight of the reel so it can be properly filled and feels sturdy enough for fishing but not overwhelmed.
It might be a long day so you should get yourself a thermos or two, one with hot water to ensure you can spool the spinning reel effectively.
Varieties Of Fishing Reel
Coarse fishing largely uses four different types of fishing reels. A lot of anglers will be familiar with the baitcaster, also known as the multiplier, though there is also the centrepin, the closed face reel, and the spinning reel.
Step-By-Step Guide To Putting A Fishing Line On A Reel
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You will first want to get the line onto the fishing pole. Firstly, check the weight capacity of the fishing line so it aligns with the reel, a 10-pound test line is fit for a reel that is built for a 10-pound test line.
Load Up The Reel
- Make sure that your fishing rod is ready with the eyes all lined up.
- Crank the reel and check that the two spools unwind properly, as one unwinds from one spool it should move in the same direction as it winds onto the other spool.
- Take a look at the reel and flip open the small wire arm which is known as bail. You will want to keep it open for the next steps.
- Grab the fishing line and bring out around 15 feet of it from the spool.
- Run the fishing line through the first guide on the fishing rod. You want to start at the top of the rod by the eyes then end at the reel by the bottom of the rod.
- Tie the fishing line onto the arbor of the spool by using an arbor knot to keep it in place.
Spool The Reel
- Flip down the bail and ensure it is closed up.
- Next, you want to attach the line to the reel spool. Lay the spool on the floor so that the label is facing up, the line should be coming off the spool in the same way as it goes onto the reel.
- Now you can wind the fishing line onto the reel, grab the fishing line and pinch it so that the line does not twist, which is very important.
- Hold that reel spool and the long screwdriver in one hand. With your free hand, grab the thick cloth and grip the other side of the spool. Exert some pressure onto the spool so that as you wind, the line tightly goes onto the reel.
- Turn the handle around fifteen to twenty times to load up the fishing line. As long as you have pinched the line hard enough it should not have twisted but give it some slack and take a lot. If it has twisted a fair amount then flip over the spool and repeat the process. To make it easier, do this with the spool lying on the side that twisted the least. You do not want to do this without a cloth as you may seriously damage your hand. Even with the cloth, your hand may start to get hot so take your time.
- If you are happy that there are fewer twists, or none at all, fill up the spool until it is about an eighth of an inch from the rim. Cut any extra line with your scissors.
- To ensure that the fishing line remembers not to spring off the reel, set the spool in some hot water for about ten minutes.
- You can also use a rubber band to tightly keep the fishing line on the spool.
How To Tie An Arbor Knot
To keep the fishing line on the arbor of the spool, you need to use an arbor knot. They are quite specific for this purpose and also one of the most vital knots to know for fishing. Learning how to do it requires practice yet once you learn how to tie an arbor knot it should become effortless.
- Using the tag end, wrap the fishing line until it goes around the spool arbor.
- Still, with the tag end, tie a straightforward overhand knot so that it goes around the fishing line’s standing end.
- Tie another overhand knot between an inch and two inches away from that first knot.
- Grab the standing part of the fishing line and pull it until the first knot is next to the second knot then trim the tag end with your scissors.
Final Thoughts
With the right equipment and the right knot, it can be quite straightforward to put a fishing line onto a reel.
The process should not take too long but take your time on your first go so that you become intimate and knowledgeable with how every step works.
Try to ensure that the line does not twist and have some hot water handy so that the line remembers not to spill out once you have it on the reel.
You may also want to bring a friend who has done it before so they can point you in the right direction.
