Spooling braided line onto a spinning reel is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth and efficient fishing experience. Braided lines offer several advantages, such as increased strength, sensitivity, and reduced visibility in the water.
However, spooling braided line requires a specific technique to prevent issues like line slippage and uneven winding. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of spooling braided line onto your spinning reel, highlighting essential tips and considerations.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, mastering this skill will enhance your overall fishing performance and help you make the most out of your chosen fishing gear.
So, let’s dive into the details and ensure your spinning reel is loaded with braided line for a successful day on the water.
How To Spool Braided Line on a Spinning Reel?
In order to attach braided lines to spinning reels, the following tools are needed:
- Spinning reel
- A sturdy rod
- Thick fabric
- A screwdriver
- Scissors
- Electrical tape
- Two chairs
- Your fishing line spool
- A friend to give you a hand
Step # 1:
First, connect the rod pieces to line up the eyes of the reel. Once that’s done, make sure the spinning reel is snug by tightening its seat and securing it in its place.
Once the reel is secure, turn it clockwise to spool the braided line onto the spinning reel. Make sure both spools move in the same direction, and the winding should be done in a clockwise manner.
Make sure to spool the line in the same direction as the spool to avoid any twists in the line. This ensures a smooth and tangle-free fishing experience.
Step # 2:
Next, attach the line by carefully untangling the braided line from the spool. To prevent any tangles, unwind only about 15 feet of the line from the spool. This helps in keeping the process neat and manageable.
Thread the line through from the top of the reel to the bottom of the rod. When tying a knot, make sure to leave some space in the bail arm. This is crucial because if you don’t, you might have to redo everything, including cutting the tail completely, and that’s not something you’d want to do all over again.
Hold the braid tight when tying it to the spool to stop it from slipping. If you’re not ready to start braiding, you can use electrical tape to secure the spool.
Step # 3:
Set up two seats about 20 feet apart with the help of someone else. Pass the spool of line to the person at the other seat. Use a screwdriver to insert its tip into the center hole of the spool. When you’ve done this, the spool will rotate around the screwdriver.
To avoid damaging the spool or screwdriver, have your friend hold the screwdriver in one hand and the spool in the other. Make sure the line on the reel is tight before you start rewinding. This helps in preventing any issues and ensures a smooth spooling process.
During the process, the fabric might get warm, so it’s a good idea to take a break and then continue with the same pressure. Otherwise, you might have to redo all the steps. Taking a short break ensures everything stays on track.
Step # 4:
To make sure a spinning reel works well, it needs to be wound with fishing line neatly and without putting too much pressure on the spool. Also, be careful not to let the lines get tangled or too tight while you’re doing this. Keeping everything in check ensures smooth operation and avoids any issues with your fishing gear.
Now that you’ve got a seat, grab the rod and reel. Hold the screwdriver with the spool while your friend holds the screwdriver. Tighten the drag for a secure reel setup. When you start winding the line, let the rod flex a bit as you wind. This helps in getting the reel set up properly for fishing.
When winding the reel, carefully inspect and tighten it. If you need assistance with tightening or loosening the spool, ask someone for help. It’s important to take breaks regularly to give the reel a push, ensuring everything is winding smoothly.
Step # 5:
The fifth step is filling the reel. Be cautious not to wind too much line, as an overloaded reel can easily unspool. Keep winding until your reel is properly filled, and you’ll be all set for your fishing adventure.
Once you notice a gap between the top of the spool and the fishing reel, stop winding. This indicates that your reel is sufficiently filled, and it’s time to finish up.
Step # 6:
Check the firmness of the line by pressing on it. It shouldn’t be too tough. If it feels too tight, go back to step 4, even if it means taking more time. Beginners, especially, should be extra careful when putting braided lines on spinning reels for the first time.
Once the reel is filled with line, attach the fluorocarbon leader, secure it with an FG knot, and reel in your catch.
Is Braided Line Suitable For Spinning Reels?
Many anglers prefer to spool all their spinning reels with braid, as its versatility extends beyond a single use. When spooling line onto a spinning reel, it’s important to consider the size of the braid.
That’s completely understandable. Many anglers, like you, enjoy using a variety of fishing lines rather than sticking to just one.
Mono, braid, and fluorocarbon lines each have distinct qualities that set them apart from one another.
Exactly, each type of fishing line has its strengths and weaknesses, making them better suited for different fishing situations.
Absolutely, personal preference plays a big role, but factors like the fishing environment, target species, and fishing technique also influence the choice of fishing line.
The ultimate test of a fishing line’s performance is its catch ratio, regardless of the various factors discussed among different types of lines.
Measuring a fishing line’s performance is complex. Braided lines offer advantages, as shown below.
I use mono line, while my buddy uses braid. We both fish the same spot for the same species, and we use the same lure and rig.
The Best Way To Save Money On Braided Fishing Line
While braid offers numerous advantages, it tends to be considerably more expensive than monofilament.
You can effectively use your fishing line by following these steps:
- After you’ve spooled your reel, you can walk 100 yards away at a park or beach.
- Once you’ve cut your line, return to the reel and tie a double-uni knot with ten turns on each side.
- After tying the knot, the braid doesn’t need to be adjusted when you need to re-spool it for many years.
- In the long run, you will be aave to add 100 yards to the top.
- In the long run, buying a 300-yard spool can save you money, as you’ll only need to add 100 yards to the top when re-spooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about spool braided line on a spinning reel:
Q1: How Long Can You Keep a Braided Line on a Spinning Reel?
Braid can last much longer than mono because it is much more resistant to UV damage.
The longevity of my braided hair depends on how much sun exposure, encounters with rough structures, and how frequently it’s been fished.
I have some SpiderWire on my spinning reel that I rarely use. It’s been on there for 10 years, and it still looks good.
It’s crucial to regularly check and test your fishing lines. Nicks and cuts are particularly dangerous. Any level of abrasion indicates that the line needs to be replaced. Color loss is not a reliable indicator of braid deterioration, as some braids fade quickly.
Q2: What Size Braid is Good for a Spinning Reel?
Braid lines of all classes are suitable for spinning reels, working on the same principle as mono lines.
Choose your test weight based on the target species. Follow the advice on the reel spool to spool up the line according to its test weight.
Q3: Is Braid or Mono Better for Spinning Reels?
Both types of lines have their strengths, and while opinions may differ, personal preference ultimately prevails.
It’s important to be cautious when someone claims that one fishing line is superior to another, as scientific evidence does not consistently support this notion.
The unique properties of braid and mono make them suitable for various fishing applications. Ultimately, there is no definitive superiority of one type of line over another.
Q4: Is Braided Line Good For Spinning Reels?
Braided lines on spinning reels outperform monofilament due to their numerous advantages. The lack of stretch in braided line makes it easier to feel if the lure or bait is being eaten by a fish.
Braid also has the advantage of being less prone to tangling due to its lack of memory. Additionally, you can spool stronger lines with it because of its smaller diameter.
The life expectancy of braided lines is significantly longer than that of monofilament lines.
Q5: How Much Braided Line To Put On A Spinning Reel?
There is no strict limit to the number of braided lines you can use on your reel. However, avoid overfilling the spool beyond its capacity, as this can cause it to bounce offline, absorb water, and take up unnecessary space.
When filling the reel, ensure you stay below the lip while filling it as much as possible. Typically, the fill level should be about 1/6 below the lip of the spool. If you’re using a braided line, it’s ideal to use backing.
It’s recommended to use 50 to 100 yards of monofilament backing line on your reel, depending on the size and capacity of your reel.
Additionally, since there are approximately 100 yards of braid on the spool, you should load the reel to within 1/8 inch of the spool rim to leave space for the spool.
Q6: Can You Use a Braided Line On A Spinning Reel?
It’s perfectly feasible to use a braided line on a spinning reel. However, it’s crucial to prevent spool slippage at all times.
To prevent spool slippage, you can spool monofilament backing or, even better, tape backing onto the reel.
Q7: What Colour Braided Fishing Line On Spinning Reel Is The Best?
Apart from ghost and low-vis green braided lines, there are other colors available, but these two colors are more visible and appealing to fish.
If you’re fishing in dark water, the color of your braided line won’t matter as much because visibility is limited.
Ghost and green are the best options for clear water fishing. A green braided line is preferable because if it gets tangled, it’s easier to see compared to a ghost-colored line.
Conclusion:
In summary, Spooling braided line onto a spinning reel is a key process for maximizing your fishing success. Braided lines, known for their strength and reduced visibility underwater, offer distinct advantages.
Following the correct spooling technique is crucial to prevent problems like line slippage. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, mastering this skill will greatly enhance your fishing performance. By carefully following each step, you’ll ensure your reel is properly loaded and ready for a rewarding day of fishing.