Spinning Reel Knotting Up Braid

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Ok... I have one reel that constantly knots up my braid. I thought it may have been a bad guide so I ran a cotton swab in every one, and they are fine. I thought I may have had too much line on the reel, but that wasn't it either. I then tried the reel on 3 different rods, and it does the same thing on all of them. I'm using the same line on all my reels PP 30# and they are all 35 size reels. When I make a cast within 5 yards I can hear the knot ripping through the guides. I then untangle it and on the second cast it happens again. I can only assume the reel does not lay the line one correctly. Any thoughts would be appreciated. The reel is a Plueger Templar, I have a President and it's perfect with braid. I also ckecked the line roller, and it's fine. KVD L&L didn't help either.

[Darren.]

Curious case there. Just by chance, this isn't old PP spooled on your reel, is it? If it is stripped of all the coating, I've found it prone to weird behavior from time to time, though not consistently at all.

Assuming you close the bail by hand and all that. If so, you could be right that the reel is not laying down the line correctly.

[papajoe222]

Check the roller on your bail. If it isn't spinning freely, you'll end up putting a bunch of twist in the line and it will knot itself up as soon as there is enough slack (like during a cast). A quick way to check is to let a bait hang a rod length or so from the tip. If it starts spinning around, you have too much twist. Clean and lube that bearing and make sure to close the bail manually on every cast.

Mono and flouro would do the same, but because braid is so limp, it's noticeable a lot sooner.

[fishking247]

i'v e found some reels just do not behave well with certain lines. it's just the way it is and their is nothing to do about it but ditch the reel and buy something you know works

[SirSnookalot]

i'v e found some reels just do not behave well with certain lines. it's just the way it is and their is nothing to do about it but ditch the reel and buy something you know works

I have to agree with this. There are many reasons for wind knots with braid, I have reels that never get them and reels that get them all the time, you are doing nothing wrong. As much as I like my Pfluegers and Abus it happens with them, but never ever with my Shimanos or Daiwas. If buying a new reel is out of the question I would try more of a long flowing cast as opposed to a snap cast. When you snap cast the line is coming off the spool at a faster rate and hitting the first guide, that's where the windknot may be happening, I would use a little less line on the spool too. This has worked to some degree for me. When working a jerk bait or topwater especially, loops can form on the retrieve, keep an eye on that and try to keep a tight line.

This is a video featuring the K guides ( on a terez rod, I think other mfgs are using them now), will give somewhat of an explanation, it's saltwater but windknots happen both fresh and salt, around the 2 minute mark.

http://www.spanishflytv.com/theater/shimano-terez-boat-rod-series/

[BASSHUNTER1961]

i'v e found some reels just do not behave well with certain lines. it's just the way it is and their is nothing to do about it but ditch the reel and buy something you know works

That's the impression I've been getting.

I have to agree with this. There are many reasons for wind knots with braid, I have reels that never get them and reels that get them all the time, you are doing nothing wrong. As much as I like my Pfluegers and Abus it happens with them, but never ever with my Shimanos or Daiwas. If buying a new reel is out of the question I would try more of a long flowing cast as opposed to a snap cast. When you snap cast the line is coming off the spool at a faster rate and hitting the first guide, that's where the windknot may be happening, I would use a little less line on the spool too. This has worked to some degree for me. When working a jerk bait or topwater especially, loops can form on the retrieve, keep an eye on that and try to keep a tight line.

This is a video featuring the K guides ( on a terez rod, I think other mfgs are using them now), will give somewhat of an explanation, it's saltwater but windknots happen both fresh and salt, around the 2 minute mark.

http://www.spanishfl...oat-rod-series/

I think I will get a reel to replace the Templar, as it's just not worth the hassle. I've done everthing, and it still creates wind knots on at least every other cast, and thats a pain. Thatks all!

UPDATE!!!!! I think I just found the issue... I took a 3 foot section of braid and ran it around the line roller, and held tension on it and pulled the line back and forth over the roller, and guess what? The roller does not move... If I apply light pressure it rolls, but a bit more pressure and the line slips over the roller but the roller does not move.

I checked my other reels and I can put a lot of pressure and the roller still rolls freely, so I assume this is the problem.

[fishking247]

That's the impression I've been getting.

I think I will get a reel to replace the Templar, as it's just not worth the hassle. I've done everthing, and it still creates wind knots on at least every other cast, and thats a pain. Thatks all!

UPDATE!!!!! I think I just found the issue... I took a 3 foot section of braid and ran it around the line roller, and held tension on it and pulled the line back and forth over the roller, and guess what? The roller does not move... If I apply light pressure it rolls, but a bit more pressure and the line slips over the roller but the roller does not move.

I checked my other reels and I can put a lot of pressure and the roller still rolls freely, so I assume this is the problem.

i don't think that is the problem. but if you think that is the solution remove the line roller and oil the bearing that is in there. the old penn reels had line rollers that would never move and i've never had a problem with those reels

[BASSHUNTER1961]

i don't think that is the problem. but if you think that is the solution remove the line roller and oil the bearing that is in there. the old penn reels had line rollers that would never move and i've never had a problem with those reels

Not sure if it's the problem, but I took it apart, and it's a bushing not a bearing. I lubed it, and it still hangs up. Time for a new reel.