Wind Knots

[AQUA VELVA]

What causes wind knots on a spinning set up? Overloaded spool? Casting to hard? Gets frustrating at times.

[Tywithay]

Loose loops in your line and twist

[240 LTS]

Check out these videos.

 

 

 

 

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[SirSnookalot]

All of the above, try using little heavier lure too, keeps the line straighter coming off the reel.

[Hogsticker]

K guides are grrrrreat

[michang5]

I've never had a line wind around a guide like in those videos. My wind knots mostly happen when I have to break off a snag. The line flies back toward me and often has a knot somewhere.

I only started having this problem when I began using 10# braid (PowerPro Super 8 Slick) a few months back.

My other rod that I've used longer has 20# braid and I've never had a wind knot with it.

So if it's really bugging you, try a step up in braid size. I just got some 15# braid and am eager to see if it is a good compromise between the two #s.

[BassinLou]

Use braid, and you won't get those. 

[AQUA VELVA]

The wind knots that I get do not form around the guides. It's more like a miniature bird nest that shoots right through the guides. I can even hear it when it happens.

[Scott F]

Use braid, and you won't get those.

I wish that were true. I use nothing but braid on my spinning reels and I get wind knots. To keep them from happening, with any kind of line, after the bail is closed, you must be sure there is no loose line or loops at the spool. If there are and you don't straighten the line, on the next cast, the line coming off the spool will catch that loop, pull it off and make the wind knot.

[BassinLou]

I wish that were true. I use nothing but braid on my spinning reels and I get wind knots. To keep them from happening, with any kind of line, after the bail is closed, you must be sure there is no loose line or loops at the spool. If there are and you don't straighten the line, on the next cast, the line coming off the spool will catch that loop, pull it off and make the wind knot.

 

Interesting.... I am the complete opposite. When I used other lines that was not braid, I would get wind knots. Since I made the switch some years ago, to 20lb PP I have yet to have experience a wind knot. Maybe if the braid used is lower in power rating for example 8lb test, then you will be more susceptible to wind knots due to the thin diameter of that line. 

[Tywithay]

Use braid, and you won't get those.

Braid is the only line I've ever gotten a wind knot with. FWIW, once I started using better reels with better oscillation, the wind knots stopped. I think line lay has a lot to do with it.

[BassinLou]

Braid is the only line I've ever gotten a wind knot with. FWIW, once I started using better reels with better oscillation, the wind knots stopped. I think line lay has a lot to do with it.

 

Maybe that could be a factor. I throw with a first gen, Stradic CI4 and a Shimano Sahara. Never had a problem. 

[Hooligan]

Use braid, and you won't get those. 

Never had a problem with wind knots with any line other than braid.  It isn't the reels, either.  I fish Sustains, Stellas, CI4+, Stradics...  Braid is too limp, it doesn't always get packed tightly on the reel and then causes a problem.  Part of the problem is line diameter.  It's far more common to have wind knots in smaller diameter lines.

[BassinLou]

Never had a problem with wind knots with any line other than braid.  It isn't the reels, either.  I fish Sustains, Stellas, CI4+, Stradics...  Braid is too limp, it doesn't always get packed tightly on the reel and then causes a problem.  Part of the problem is line diameter.  It's far more common to have wind knots in smaller diameter lines.

 

What pound test are you guys using that keep getting wind knots on your braid? I am leaning towards what you said Hooligan, the small diameter lines could be the culprit. I use strictly 20lbPP with leaders and I never have once come across this problem some of you are having. 

[donk]

Loose loops in your line and twist

I agree, and I think if you can catch that loose loop early on the spool, its better to strip the line off the reel by hand. Most of the time, if I see it already on the spool and I try to cast it out, I will be wishing I hadn't .

Certain baits cause more line twist and for me its tubes, either pitching them or dragging them.

[Brian Needham]

Braid  for me too.

 

I tried to use braid for bluegill fishing on ultra light tackle, as I was tired of the bass and catfish breaking me off.

 

braid produced instant "cat gut" for me.

[AQUA VELVA]

Line twist could be a factor. I throw a lot of plastic stick baits on mine.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I get them sometimes. Pain in the butt. I have it happen on both spinning reels, with braid and mono

[SirSnookalot]

I probably get a few more knots with 10# than 20# but I still get them.  I had bunch Saturday and the exact scenario happened again yesterday.  Fishing the same place with the same 1/8 jig the knots were happening, changed to a 1/4 ounce spoon and no more knots.  The weight of the lure IMO has a lot to do with it, line just casts out straighter thru the first guide.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Nothing is perfect, there are always trades-offs and the chance of wind knots is a price for the benefits of braid. 

[240 LTS]

First question- Are you closing your bail with your hand or your reel handle?

The correct way is with your hand.

You can get in the habbit, after you cast, when you close your bail, your fingers are already in the correct location, grab the line and pull just a little drag. This will take out any loose line on the top few wraps. Once you get used to doing it, it only take a second.

Retrieving and bait that doesn't always keep tension on the line will leave the wraps somewhat loose and can be an issue on the next cast.

I agree the lighter the braid, the more chance to have issues but is most likely is a combination of things.

 

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