Need advice on spooling braid / spinning reel

[ironman172]

I don't use braid to often and the last time I spooled a reel myself....I don't think it was tight enough and had nothing but wind knots....any advice on spooling braid on a spinning reel ...Thanks .... and any and all advice is appreciated

[Redfish University]

Maybe I can help. Many spinning reels such as the Penn Conquers come with braid-ready spools so the braid can be tied directly to the spool. Nonetheless, braid is expensive and there's really no point in wasting the bottom 100+yds of braid on the reel. Typically, braid is sold in 125, 150, 300 and 1500yd spools. 125-150yds is tricky and so is splitting a 300yd spool of braid for two reels. A rubberband, electrical tape or 50-75yds of cheap mono at the base of the spool can be used to minimize waste and will keep your braid from slipping on a spool that isn't specifically designed for braided line. While spooling, let the line run between your thumb and index finger while keeping pressure so the line goes on the reel with some tension but not too much. Be careful not to make the mistake of adding too little braid or you're casts will be interrupted by the splice-knot where your mono connects to the braid. I believe the 1500-3000yds spools are a better deal and will definitely minimize waste.

Just a friendly hint on wind knots. Correct braid and casting direction. Boat positioning will cut down on wind knots and should be a focus when you're fishing anyway. Casting against the wind will dramatically increase the wind knot problem and dramatically decrease your catch rate. Also, keeping an eye on your spool for indications of uneven line retrieve can nip the problem at the bud. Often times, especially with light baits (ie, spoons, light Gulps), uneven line tension is inevitable. Just look for loose line, loops and line over the head of the spool each time you cast. It may save you $20 in braided line!

I've used all brands of braided line over the years and Spiderwire Ultracast InvisiBraid and the regular Moss Green are without a doubt, the absolute best. For my Penn Conquers 2000s and 4000's, I use 6-10# InvisiBraid. Long casts, extremely sensitive and incredibly durable. Don't worry about breakage, that's why we have drags! Hope this helps you out. Take care, Eric Holstman

[ironman172]

Thanks Eric....I may have needed to add more....I have a Penn battle 7000..... I was going to use for deep water jigging it is prepped for the braid....so that is not an issue, my problem is getting it spooled tight enough....I may never really cast this....but if I do...it would be nice not to get the wind knots...I also have already got a 1500yrd spool of the newer power pro 50lb for it....I think the box said 410yrds of the 50lb for the full spool....any tricks in applying pressure..... for the line to wrap tight on the spool...I had heard of the spool in a bucket of water??????

I will usually us my toes and a pencil through the spool....but that is the smaller spools....I could always hope for a nice king at the pier to run out a bunch and get it tight that way....but I would like it done before I arrive so it is ready....might have to do it up here out on the reservoir and just let all the line out with a BIG deep water plug before all the traffic gets on the lake
or might have to make something to tension the spool as I wind the line on the reel....I was hoping for a trick for the spooling

[Redfish University]

HAHA!! Oh no!! I have the same problem on larger spinning reels and braid. I like to use spinning tackle for popping for tuna, amberjack and larger tarpon. If you find the answer, please let me know! Sorry for the confusion. Eric

[kahala boy]

I'm sure that you could find someone you trust to be your "toes" and they can hold the spool for you at an even pressure (using gloves) while you fill the reel up. Offering beer would help also...

[ironman172]

I'm sure that you could find someone you trust to be your "toes" and they can hold the spool for you at an even pressure (using gloves) while you fill the reel up. Offering beer would help also...

Not a bad idea...put the grandson to work.....thanks..... never really thought of help, other then advice here

[InshoreCommander]

You don't want the tension to be constant on the new spool as you spool it onto the reel - you want the tension to vary as you wind it on.

There are expensive machines to do this - fly by wire guidance systems on missles vary the tension as the wire unspools.

This may be a tedious way, but here is what I do on my reels.

On the way out, I cut all of the tackle off the end of the line.

I start manually unspooling the line while underway until there is enough resistance to freespool the line out. Keep an eye on it. When the spool of the reel is visible, tighten the drag down all of the way and start reeling. Just reel nice and steady. Your line will be perfectly wound with perfect tension.

In my opinion this is the only way (without expensive equipment) to constantly vary the torque applied to the line. Varying torque means varying tension in the line proportional to the amount of line on the spool. The resistance of the line also changes based on how much line is in the water. Everything just ratios out correctly using this technique.

Next, you have to set the drag correctly. Use a scale and set it at 80% of the breaking strength of the line. In other words, set 30 pound test line at 24# on your scale.

Make sure the rating of your line doesn't exceed the rating on the rod. Make sure your drag doesn't exceed the breaking strength of your line.

[H2OMARK]

Hey Bill, I've used a phone book as a tensioner before. Just find the middle, slide the in and let her rip. You can vary the tension by using your thumb and forefinger to hold the line. My cheap-o way to do it. Eric, that's great info you put up there. I can use it and really appreciate it.

Bill, when you coming down this way? Let's try to get everyone together so you can buy us a beer, er, so we can buy you a beer.

[jlw1972]

Bill here's what I came up with a couple years ago. It's not pretty but it's cheap and works like a charm.
A piece of allthread, a strong compression spring, a few nuts, washers and thats bout it.

I used 3 or 4 greased teflon washers on each side of the spool to make it smoother.

I spool all my reels and never once had a problem.

[jlw1972]

Never once had a problem with the line I should say.

Getting something on the other end of it?? That's a different story.