Re-spooling: getting the most for your $

[riverbasser]

So maybe I'm cheap(maybe). But I always try to get the most out of my dollar.

 

All of my reels are spooled with mono, some full spools and some half for backing braid and fluro. I back braid for 2 reasons, line dig in and also to save money on line. Fluro is just to save money. I normally try to put 50 yards of braid/fluro on top of my mono so if I buy a 200 yd spool I can do 4 reels. 

 

How do yall do this? Educated guess or do you get technical. I've been meaning to mark off 50 yds so I can be precise but then how will I know how much mono it will take to make a full spool? 

 

 

[Junger]

When I first started, I was lazy and just spooled the whole thing with whatever line I wanted. Then as I became more confident in knot tying, and realizing the innermost 2/3's of a spool will probably never see the light of day, I started to use backing.

 

I do a full spool of backing, then walk it out 75 yards, then cut it, then tie on my main line and spool it full again, depending on the rod/reel. I make sure I take it out far enough that when I re-spool, it covers the knot comfortably.

 

I walk it from my family room through the kitchen and back 4 times which is approximately 75 yards, or, in your case, you can pace off 50-55 steps, where each step is about 1 yard.

[Bluebasser86]

Mono or copolymer is a full spool. Braid I'll have a little backing but most of the spool is braid. Fluoro I'll run 40-70 yards for the most part. 

[CroakHunter]

I use almost all braid, I just guess on how much backing to put on depending on spool size. My tatula sv tws I only put a few handle turns of mono on, my curado 200 I put about 1/3 of a spool which is probably 50ish yards. I can usually get 3 reels worth of 50lb braid out of a 300yd Spool. Another good way to save money is to take line off one reel and spool it backwards onto another. Especially for braid this works well when the color fades.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

If you dont use leaders filling the spool completely with braid will save the most line/money. As line gets used back with cheap mono.

[Junger]

5 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

 Another good way to save money is to take line off one reel and spool it backwards onto another. Especially for braid this works well when the color fades.

I'm going to get one of those cheapo 10bearing spinning reels from Amazon to do that now.

[Scrapiron]

I've done both, used backing, figure out how much, trimming, measuring, re measuring, re spooling,  etc. and just spooled using all braid. I think doing the latter is easier (right?) and then spooling it onto another reel when it's time. So essentially I get two "spools" out of the braid.

 

[riverbasser]

That's what I will do next time @Junger

[webertime]

Just get a clip on line counter for like $10-12.  Really easy to spool backing, braid, topshot, etc.

[fishballer06]

I buy my fluoro and braid in bulk spools. It cuts my cost per yard down enough that I don't have to worry about it so much.

 

Example:

 

Sunline Sniper FC 16lb.

 

TW price - $23.99 for 200 yards - 0.11995 per yard

TW price - $66.99 for 660 yards - 0.1015 per yard

 

Factor in buying during a 20% off sale

 

TW price - $53.59 for 660 yards - 0.0811 per yard

 

If I figure that I need 70 yards of fluro on my reel:

 

200 yard spool normal price - $8.39 per spooling - 2 spools and 60 yards to try to make due with

660 yard spool normal price - $7.10 per spooling - 9 spools and 30 yards for leader use

660 yard spool sale price - $5.67 per spooling - 9 spools and 30 yards for leader use

[NHBull]

I back with old braid. It cast a bit smoother and far less chance of digging in. It goes on super tight.  I have never had a dig-in.  If you really want to save $$$$$, after 2 yrs reverse the usable braid.  No reason it can’t last you 4 to 5 yrs.  I never change my backing

[BrackishBassin]

I don’t know how I’d do it with the situation you’re describing. However, I do use braid with mono backing. So, I buy 150 yard spools of braid and spoil up 75 yards. 

 

I go to a park, put the line around a tree limb, and walk it out while holding both ends of the line. Then I cut the line, spool the reel, and re-roll the remaining 75 yards back onto the factory spool. Next 75 yards is ready to go when I need to re-spool the reel. 

 

Only ever had one issue - some genius walking his dog that didn’t listen when I told him I had 75 yards of braid out. Asked him to walk around twice. He told me he would be fine and then promptly closelined himself. Ended up in a tangle of 50lb braid and his dog’s leash. 

[riverbasser]

Junger nailed it for me. From now on I will full spool with mono and strip off 50 yards. Then I will know for sure and not waste any braid or fluro. There may be a slight difference due to difference in line diameter between the backing and the top line but it shouldn't be too much

[j_blaze14]

On December 7, 2017 at 9:41 AM, Junger said:

I'm going to get one of those cheapo 10bearing spinning reels from Amazon to do that now.

aaahhh, beat me to it.  i have an old coastal tough catfish baitcaster that works perfect for this, huge spool, tension knob, works perfect.  you can count revolutions of reel to know how much youve used.

[Mike L]

Why can't you just measure the depth of the empty spool, put on 1/2 to 3/4 the depth of backing for flippin and pitchin reels and 1/4 to 1/2 full for casting reels??

Or any combination there of, useing minor adjustments for any subsequent respooling.

 

 

 

 

Mike

[OnthePotomac]

I also use a little Berkley line counter reversed, clamped on the rod.   No guess work.  Been using one for 15 years and actually wore one out. 

[riverbasser]

12 hours ago, Mike L said:

Why can't you just measure the depth of the empty spool, put on 1/2 to 3/4 the depth of backing for flippin and pitchin reels and 1/4 to 1/2 full for casting reels??

Or any combination there of, useing minor adjustments for any subsequent respooling.

 

 

 

 

Mike

I can and that's what I've done in the past. But Im now trying to not waste any line, if I buy a 200 yard spool I want to spool 4 reels with 50 yards and have none left over or have any short.