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How to Put Fishing Line on a Reel- A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Put Fishing Line on a Reel- A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Written by Immanuel Baranov
Last Update: March 8, 2022

Over time you will observe the fishing line on your Reel wearing out and becoming a little more difficult to make a catch and easily get tangled. At this point, spooling a new path becomes a priority and to achieve this you will need to create a knot with the line and wrapping it on the Reel’s spool. Although you might need a variety of lines to get the best cast. To get a continuous catch with the reel, it is advisable to replace the line once in a year. Here is a step by step on how to go about it.

How to Put Fishing Line On a Reel: Step-by-Step

1. Loading Spinning and Baitcaster Reels

A. Open up the bail by dragging up the wire: On a baitcaster or spinning reel there exists a small wire arm hanging on it. Raise the line a little bit higher, this will open up the bail, and if you intend to close the bail then suppress the line a little bit downwards.

B. Track your new line on the line guides: The little loops pending underneath the rod is known as the line guide. It is advisable to start this on each rod, while you drag the rod near the Reel over the loops. If you are using a Baicaster rod then you can look out for the small hole that is on the Reel. You will need to pass the small line through the hole to get it connected to the bail.

C. Lower the wire arm; this will close the bail: Drag the wire arm to get to the lowest point. Doing this will lock up the line in a particular spot. If the line appears undone, then it’s advisable to repeat it again by raising the bail and recreating the knot.

Check out which direction the bail face: you can do this by cracking the handle of the rods. Once you observe the direction the bail faced, loading further lines will be done in that direction. Keep the spool on the ground and ensure the tag is upward, then readjust the location where the rod is found; this will help you when loading up the line correctly.

  • For instance, you have a bail that rotates in a clockwise direction; then, you can stand at the left side of the spool to wrap the line in a clockwise direction on the spool.
  • If you are using a Baitcaster rod, then use a pencil to stick it from one side of the rod to the other side. Get someone to assist you in holding it. You can choose to make a spool by inserting the spool on the screwdriver and driving it across the cardboard box.

Hold the line in the middle of your index finger and thumb:  hold the rod with one of your arms to maintain constant pressure on it. Once you observe that it is rigid enough and has no tangle feeling on the Reel, then you are holding the line the right way.

Lower the line check out for tangles: run a quick check on the line by letting go of it and observe it while it drops. If you observe any loops or twists, then you can flip the fishing line to get the label in a downward direction.

  • Make sure your line loads in the direction of the bail.

Ensure the rod’s spool is almost full: you can pinch your line once more using your index and thumb finger to make sure the line is straight and firmly fixed. Once you confirm this, then it’s time to get the rod’s crank rotating.  Ensure the line is loaded until it gets to the peak. Use an approximate line size of 0.32 centimeter lower than the rim of the spool.

Protect the line using rubber band: you can attach a rubber string along the line around the Reel; this will help hold and keep it in place. But if you have a reel that uses a tab along its sides, wrapping up the line all over it will hold all the parts in place.

2. Filling a Spin Cast or Close Faced Reel

Remove all the screw found on the reel face:  before spooling the line, it is advisable to take away the reel top part. You can do this by twisting it in an anticlockwise direction until you get enough space that allows you to pull the Reel off. Most models that are made for beginners are designed with a button that can allow you to top of the cap easily.

Use the rod’s tip to insert the line: check out for the ring that is pending underneath the rod. Now start from the tip of the rod’s and then run the line in the direction of the Reel through the holes.

Press the line to get to the hole located in the Reel’s cap: you can also track all the lines across the hole at the top. If this isn’t done at the start-up point, getting the cap on later would be difficult.

Connect the line to the knot: knot the Reel to avoid the line from coming undone. This can be done using the clinch knot, arbor knot, or knot. Ensure the line is tight enough before moving on.

Get the cover back to the Reel: use the cover of the Reel, which is threaded with your new line, then rotate it in a clockwise direction to the Reel; this will secure it in place.

Place the cover on the Reel. Take the cover of the Reel, which is threaded with the new line, and then run it in a clockwise direction to the Reel to keep it in position.

Now unwind all the thread once the cover gets off. This requires some amount of space to be done successfully, try to use the fences to hang the line; this will make the line remain untangled.

Cut off the fishing line on the spool: get to the rod tip and use a scissor or fishing pliers and cut off the line that is outside at the end of the tips. Do not clip the line that is hanging underneath the rod.

3. Spooling Line for a Fly Fishing Reel

Buy the fishing and backing line from a store: the fly fishing line is designed to function with a minimum of two different kinds of fishing lines. A fishing spool line and a backing spool line are required to spool a fly reel. For a more durable line, we suggest purchasing the tipping and leader lines. Also, get a quality fly reel for better performance.

  • Backing line: this line is the cheapest and heaviest type of line. Some of the lines are signed with a weight that is about 30 to 40 Ib.
  • Check out the rod to see the number showing the weight of the fly line you want -though the lines range around 80 – 90 ft, which is approximately 24 -27 m long.

Fasten the backing line to the Reel: Wrap around the grove that is found in the spool with the backing line. Outside the Reel knob is the end directly to the backing and the entire line using the arbor knot.

Put the line to the direction of the reel spins: regardless of the nature of the line, we recommend adding it to the line in the manner at which the Reel rotates. If you have a reel that rotates clockwise, then spool the line in a clockwise direction.

Wind the line into the Reel:  winding the Reel can be done with a spooling machine or manually using the hand. Tight it firmly all-over the fly line. Doing this will help make the line more visible to fishes and also shield the fly line.

Ensure that the fly at the end of the line is rightly secured: get about 5 to 6 inches, which is approximately 14 -15-centimeter last line of the Reel and pass it across the fly hook eye. The advanced turtle knot or clinch knot are good selections you can use to secure the fly.  Once you get the knot tight enough, the next phase is to slim up the end before using it for fishing.

About the author

Immanuel Baranov

My life is pretty much defined by my avid outdoor activities. I’m generally obsessed with fishing, skiing and occasional hunting and whitewater paddling. I’ve been active since my early years. I inherited my passion for fishing from my father who made frequent family trips to the banks of Sacramento River. Growing up, I did a lot of fishing in the vicinity. Now that I have two sons, our weekends are full of fishing activities. I would say, you need good spots where you can go out a lot for the thing you love. I had the privilege to grow up near numerous water bodies and I’m proud to say that I made good use of them. It’s also great to do something with kids that helps them learn patience, endurance and preciseness.

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