In this complete guide you will learn how to spool a spinning reel with ease. In addition, we’ll discuss what fishing line to use and offer tips on maintaining your fishing reel. Understanding how to care for and spool your fishing reel correctly will prevent it from malfunctioning while on the water, where you need it most.
Now let’s start spooling!
What Line to use on a Spinning Reel?
Novice anglers often wonder if they must only use specific fishing lines on a spinning reel. The answer is: no, the line material does not matter – whether you’re using monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided line.
Maintaining Your Spinning Reel
It is essential to maintain your fishing reel every 12-months or so, depending on your fishing activity. Here are some preventative maintenance tips you can perform to keep your reel functioning:
- If you feel you’re ill-equipped to clean your reel, take it to a professional service.
- Periodically break down your reel and clean it thoroughly.
- Ensure you oil your reel’s components after each cleaning.
- Oil your reel bearings and grease its gears at least once a year.
- Spray your reel with fresh water and wipe it down after each use in saltwater.
Equipment Required to Spool a Spinning Reel
Here is a list of items you’ll need to spool a spinning reel:
- A fishing line of your choice
- Scissors
- Line Conditioner (If you’re using fluorocarbon or monofilament)
How To Spool a Spinning Reel
So, now you’re ready to spool the fishing line on your spinning reel. Follow these step-by-step instructions so that you can accomplish this task with ease:
Step One: Examine Which Direction Your Bail Turns
First, you need to look at what direction your bail spins when you crank your reel’s handle. For instance, is it turning clockwise or counter-clockwise? Then, after you’ve taken a mental note on which direction your bail turns, grab your packaged fishing line and continue.
Step Two: Open the Packaging and Orientate Your Line’s Spool
Next, take your line out of its packaging and peel off the little piece of tape holding down the tip of the line. Then, grab the line’s end and pull it out a foot of it. While you do this, take note of which direction the spool is turning as you let out.
Important: match the direction your line’s spool is turning with your bail. For example, if your bail turns clockwise, make sure your line’s spool rotates in the same direction as you reel in line. Ensuring that both items are spinning the same direction will keep your line from twisting.
Step Three: Flip Your Bail Open
After you’ve matched the direction of your line’s spool with your bail, flip your bail arm open.
Step Four: Thread Your line and Tie Knot To the Reel’s Spool
Thread your fishing line throw the first guide of your fishing rod, running it down to the reel’s spool. Next, tie knot to the spool of your reel.
Step Five: Close Your Bail and Start Reeling In Line
Next, after cinching down your knot to the reel’s spool, close your bail. Then, take your free hand and grab below your first guide. You want to hold your fishing line against your rod, lightly keeping tension on your line. Keeping slight pressure on your line will keep it from kinking and twisting.
Step Six: Reel Your Line to the Beveled Edge
While you apply tension to the line, continue to reel it in. Most importantly, you’ll know when to finish reeling by looking at the beveled edge of the top plate, where the drag control sits. Specifically, reel your line until it is 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the beveled top.
Step Seven: Spray Your Spooled Reel With Line Conditioner
This step is optional yet recommended for anglers spooling their reels with monofilament or fluorocarbon. Since these two line materials have memory, using a line conditioner can improve your line performance. For example, using a line conditioner can lower line memory and reduce the likeliness of backlashes and twisting.
We do not recommend using a line conditioner on braided lines, as the braid does not have any line memory.
Keep Your Reels Clean and Lubricated!
It is critical to know how to spool your spinning reel correctly so that you can avoid mishaps on the water. In addition, you should also maintain your reel to keep it functioning smoothly.
Enjoy your spinning reel and happy fishing!