Line wraps around behind the spool

[Pkfish49]

This is a recurring pattern with me, using spinning reels with 8 pound test:

 

The line wraps around behind the spool and then gets stuck under the spool.  I then have to take the drag off and untangle the line.  Often, it is so messed up that I have to cut it away and re-setup the pole.  It is not a drag setting as it happens when it is tight or loose.  I suspect it is related to line tension, but a lot of my lures are very light.

 

HELP!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks

[IndianaFinesse]

It happens to everyone, just part of fishing with spinning reels unfortunately.  Some reels are more prone to than others tho. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Try not filling the spool quite as full, closing the bail manually and give the line a tug, line conditioner (LCD l&l) and consider 15-20# braid. 

[dsqui]

I have found this generally happens more on cheaper reels as the specs aren't as tight and they use cheaper material so they wear out faster.  Also dvt is correct it generally occurs more qhen u fill the reel to the max.  I run cheap reels on all my bluegill and crappie rods and only really have problems when i fill them to the max.  I also change reels every couple years as they wear out rather quick bc I am not nice to them they get thrown in the dirt dunked in the water stepped on ECT  and for $30 I just replace them once they act up.

[Crestliner2008]

First off, if you are not manually closing the bail, then by all means, start doing so now. If you are already closing by hand, then switch to a braid/fluoro leader set up. The "spring" in straight mono or fluoro lines coming off on spinning reels, contribute to the problem for sure. Braid will solve many spinning reel issues. All my spinning reels, from 2# test up to 30# test, now have braid on them.

[NHBull]

Like others have said.....flipping the bail by hand solves most of the problems on spinning gear.

getting the twist out also helps.

 

[LBASS01]

Use braided line and don't fill the spool as much.

[NYWayfarer]

DVT is spot on with advice here.

 

Don't overfill your spool and use some line conditioner. I use reel snot and have dramatically reduced the instances of line getting under the spool.

[fishnkamp]

To avoid much of the spinning reel hassles, I have gone to 14# Berkley FireLine and an 8 pound leader made of P Line CXX.  I ALWAYS ALWAYS flip the bail by hand and as I do so I will lift the rod up slightly to tighten the line before I reel it.  

[Pkfish49]

I wasn't over-spooled, as I kept having the problem after cutting away a lot line due to unmanageable tangles and I always flip the bail by hand.  I was able to stop the unmanageable tangles by flipping the bail just before the bait hit the water, but the line kept trying to come in behind the reel and I had to push it back by hand.  The line also kept coming off just past the reel, but didn't continue to go up through the pole.  I then had to manually pull the line through the eye, until it got past the mess, then flip the bail, then pull the line tight.

 

I'd like to go fishing without having to deal with this crap all day.  I like mono, but if the only way so solve this is to go to braid, then it is worth ripping up my finger to not get these tangles.  I'm gonna try some line conditioner first, then a braid leader.

[fishnkamp]

First make sure you are using a 25,30 or 35 size reel and I would suggest stripping off your line. 

Try using my method. Spool the reel half way with decent mono, I prefer Stren Clear Blue in 12 or 14 pound test.  i then spol the reel the rest of the way with Berkley FireLine in 14 pound test.  That is the same size as 6 pound test mono.  I add a four foot leader of p Line CXX in 8 pound test, it breaks around 15 pounds.  You could easily just use some of your 8 pound mono. I think you will find that this setup will help. If you make your cast and stop the line with your finger, close the bail and gently lift up on the rod a bit you will tighten up the line on the spool and all will work fine.

 

[TX-Deluxe]

20 lb test mono?

[Fisher-O-men]

3 hours ago, Pkfish49 said:

I'm gonna try some line conditioner first, then a braid leader.

This is probably not what you meant to say, right?  You need braid with a mono or fluoro leader.  That will not completely solve your problem.  You need to pay attention to what is going on with your spool.  All that wrapping below the spool does not happen all at once.  After you close the bail, glance at the spool and make sure all is well.

[Team9nine]

Get rid of the Quantums - that will solve your problem 

[Pkfish49]

23 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

First make sure you are using a 25,30 or 35 size reel and I would suggest stripping off your line. 

Try using my method. Spool the reel half way with decent mono, I prefer Stren Clear Blue in 12 or 14 pound test.  i then spol the reel the rest of the way with Berkley FireLine in 14 pound test.  That is the same size as 6 pound test mono.  I add a four foot leader of p Line CXX in 8 pound test, it breaks around 15 pounds.  You could easily just use some of your 8 pound mono. I think you will find that this setup will help. If you make your cast and stop the line with your finger, close the bail and gently lift up on the rod a bit you will tighten up the line on the spool and all will work fine.

 

I'm beginning to suspect that the problem is with my technique, not my equipment.  I do flip the bail gently and lift the rod up a bit, but I don't stop the line with my finger.  Could this be the root cause of the tangles?  

[fishnkamp]

Try it.   I hold my spinning reels differently on certain rods.  If the rod balances a bit more forward, I will move my hand forward so two fingers are in front of the stem.  This means two fingers are behind the reel stem and two in front.  My thumb will rest on top of either the fore grip (small piece of cork or eva foam in front of the reel seat) or on top of the rod blank. If I am on top of the rod blank I get a good feel of anything transmitted down the blank,  I feel it is more sensitive.  This also allows my finger to drop down and touch the line. I can control it if say I am casting to a pier piling, I can gently slow my bait down to get a soft entry without stopping the line so I can let it fall straight down but be quiet when entering the water.  I know what I am saying sounds complicated, but if you go out and try it it becomes perfectly natural. Once the bait hits bottom I can stop it from peeling off.  This if not controlled allows the line to peel off the reel, but since the lure is not pulling line you get the buildup between the reel and the first or second guide.  Sounds like one of your stated frustrations.

 

I do it almost exactly this way.  When you see it done you will see the difference between your issues and casting using his method. The best news is that learning his technique will not cost a dime and will only require some practice.  With a little practice you will be able to really enjoy the benefits to using spinning gear for fishing with light lures.  If you look in my rod locker you will find my 12 baitcasting outfits and 3 spinning outfits.  Each tool has a purpose, but none should frustrate you. I hope this helps.  Recognise in this second video he is fishing primarily shallow salt water so he is not allowing a lure to drop like I would if I was fishing a pier with 10 or 15 feet of water on it.  But you get the idea.

 

 

[Pkfish49]

Thanks!

 

I'm not going fishing for three weeks, but will try the improved technique then and let you know how it worked out.

 

 

[Pkfish49]

I didn't try this, but survived the entire long weekend without any major line knots by simply paying attention to always keeping the line tight and by flipping the bail manually just before the lure or bait hit the water.

[Airman4754]

Just use braid. I don't close the bail with my hand though. Somehow I've managed to make it out alive.