Trials And Errors With A Baitcast Reel, Pt. 3: Putting On The Line

[Senko lover]

Note: This is part of a series targeting toward beginners about straightening your learning curve with a baitcast reel. To see part one on why to get a baitcast combo, click here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/154372-trials-and-errors-with-a-baitcaster-pt-1-why-get-a-baitcast-combo/. To see part two on buying your first combo, click here:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/155082-trials-and-errors-with-a-baitcast-reel-pt-2-buying-your-first-combo/

So we’ve talked about why you should get a baitcast reel, and some guidelines for buying your first combo. The combo has come in the mail, and you’ve played around with the braking system of the reel, spun the handle at least a million times, and felt the combo in your hand. Feels a lot better than a spinning combo, right? You have realized the rather obvious fact that a reel is no good without line, and so you’ve started Googling and looking for Youtube videos on the subject. Man, it gets complicated! The fancy knots they tie would take hours to get down. And they tie them so fast that you have to pause the video a couple hundred times to get the different loops. You tighten it down on the spool, only to have the the whole darn thing slip out of the reel and fall on the floor. Hopefully you have the self control not to throw the combo on the floor!

Here are some things to help make it a little simpler.

1. Before anything else, make sure you get a heavier line test than what you would normally put on a spinning reel.
   Before you begin spooling up, make sure you have the right line. You don’t want to have complications. Rule of thumb: it’s best not to put line under 12 lb. test on. 14 is the most common.

2. Don’t overcomplicate things
   Just remember, you’ll rarely reach the end of your spool. Obviously it’s important to have a strong knot nevertheless, but you don’t need a super-fancy knot. Honestly, some overhand knots would work just fine. For what it’s worth, even if you disagree, I’ve been using very simple knots and they’ve worked just fine.

3. Find a good video
   This is my favorite video on the subject. He goes slow enough that you can follow his steps, and I’ve been following that process every since I got my reel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsdl7_4268o.

4. Don’t fill the spool too full.
   Typically, you want the line to reach just about 1/8s of an inch from the top of the spool, or some companies put a small bevel or circular indentation in the spool to guide you. If you spool it too full, you’ll run into some complications.

5. Keep your fingers on the line above the reel as you fill the spool.
   Keep tension on the line above the reel with your thumb and pointer finger as you wind in the line. You want to reel fast, but you don't want it to be loose.

6. Here's a tip from an FLW co-angler:
   Put some tape across the spool once it's 2/3s of the way full. This will help prevent backlashes building up from the core of the spool later on once you cast.
    

 

Thanks for reading! Hopefully as you follow this series, you’ll learn how use your reel more effectively. Let me know in the comments any more tips or if you learned anything. Next up, we’ll look at setting up the brakes.

 

BTW: The video will teach you most of what I said, probably more clearly . 

[Rich in Co]

Very nice write up thanks for your effort

[massrob]

This is what I am having problems with I've watched all the videos and think I am doing it right but the line is jumping off the spool. It doesn't make sense to me I've done what everyone has told me to do and it still is happening. I think I need someone to show me cuz I guess I'm not good at learning by watching videos. I don't think I've seen this video though so I'll watch it when I get home in the morning and hopefully it helps me. Anyway sorry for the rant and thanks for doing this.

[jbsoonerfan]

Using some electrical tape to secure the line to the spool is the easiest way to do it. If you ever get that low, you should have already changed line.

[Senko lover]

This is what I am having problems with I've watched all the videos and think I am doing it right but the line is jumping off the spool. It doesn't make sense to me I've done what everyone has told me to do and it still is happening. I think I need someone to show me cuz I guess I'm not good at learning by watching videos. I don't think I've seen this video though so I'll watch it when I get home in the morning and hopefully it helps me. Anyway sorry for the rant and thanks for doing this.

 

I had a very hard time as well until I saw that video. Just pause it and work along with him. Good luck!