Line Spooling

[RPreeb]

I was watching Mark Zona's show the other day, and he was showing how to spool line without twist.  Good info, but what I really took from that was his spool holder.  He had the Plano Line Spool Box, which both stores line and holds it for spooling.   I haven't bought a spooler yet and thought it looked like a good option to hold 6 spools up to 1" wide. 

 

Academy has it for $7.99 but I don't know what the shipping would be.  On the other hand, Amazon has it for 3 times the price ($23.93) with free shipping.  I can't believe that Academy charges $15 for shipping.  Cabela's has it for $8.99.  Walmart is $12.99.  Seems to be a lot of variance in retail pricing on this.  

 

Do any of you have this spooler, and do you like it?

[islandbass]

I don’t but used to think about getting one. 

 

If if you decide to get one, I’d chose whichever store you’re willing to drive to and pick it up in person. Many places will waive the shipping cost for in-store pickup. 

[captnstabn]

It works well for its purpose.  But, I learned long ago, it's better to just bite the price bullet initially and buy the large bulk spools.  At least the 600 yard ones.  I found myself wasting too much line with the small 200yd spools.  There was always line left on the spool that was too short to use, and I can only use so much scrap as leader material, then it becomes waste.  

If you're experimenting with different line types, that's one thing.  Once you figure out what you like, buy the large spools.  I am pretty much set on Sniper for fluoro, yozuri and senshi for coply/mono and have bulk spools for all of them.  

[RPreeb]

If I changed out line often enough, I'd probably go that way, but I don't fish on a daily basis, and I only have 2 baitcasters to spool.  My spinning combo has 30# Power Pro, and I have the BIG spool (3000 yards) for that because I bought it when I was living in the Bahamas and had no place to buy more.  This one would be for 10# to 15# mono for my 2 baitcasters.  I know that sounds bass ackwards to go heavier on my spinning reel, but it's a 5000 series Shimano Spheros salt water reel on a 7' BPS Ocean Master rod... the heaviest weight combo I own.

[ratherbfishin1]

1 hour ago, RPreeb said:

If I changed out line often enough, I'd probably go that way, but I don't fish on a daily basis, and I only have 2 baitcasters to spool.  My spinning combo has 30# Power Pro, and I have the BIG spool (3000 yards) for that because I bought it when I was living in the Bahamas and had no place to buy more.  This one would be for 10# to 15# mono for my 2 baitcasters.  I know that sounds bass ackwards to go heavier on my spinning reel, but it's a 5000 series Shimano Spheros salt water reel on a 7' BPS Ocean Master rod... the heaviest weight combo I own.

So I tried so many different types of mono and floro, then someone mentioned Berkeley big game and I looked up the price and it’s under ten dollars for a large spool of it.  That’s pretty much the only stuff I use now. I will say there are a few brands I like better but for the price this stuff is incredible.  I like it better than like 90% of line and that has nothing to do with the price.  I mainly use 12lb for soft plastics, cranking, and other applications.  For the price of this you could get a large spool of line for each reel for cheep and you are set.  The price point also allows me to switch out my line every six months, or more if I get a really bad backlash and don’t fell like working on it, which means the line is always in great condition.

 

[TylerT123]

3 hours ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

So I tried so many different types of mono and floro, then someone mentioned Berkeley big game and I looked up the price and it’s under ten dollars for a large spool of it.  That’s pretty much the only stuff I use now. I will say there are a few brands I like better but for the price this stuff is incredible.  I like it better than like 90% of line and that has nothing to do with the price.  I mainly use 12lb for soft plastics, cranking, and other applications.  For the price of this you could get a large spool of line for each reel for cheep and you are set.  The price point also allows me to switch out my line every six months, or more if I get a really bad backlash and don’t fell like working on it, which means the line is always in great condition.

 

I have Berkley Big Game too, it retains a ton of memory though.

[LAO162]

The Spool Box works just as you think it should.  If you are using filler spools, it's a great solution.  This week I used it with a smaller 150 yd spool of Power Pro.  Every so often I had to yank the line pretty hard to reposition it.  If you have several filler spools in it (for weight), you can leave it partially open and run line from a bulk spool through the opening and out the "eye".  I assume my wife picked it up from DSG for less than $10 (I can't see here spending much more than that).  Not worth $23, but ok for $10.

[FishDewd]

For a BC reel, line-twist is basically a non-issue when spooling. I use a box with a pencil through the middle and keep it stable by having larger spools on either side on the pencil to keep the one I want to spool stable in the middle. Seems to work fine for me lol. #redneck engineering! Spinning reels, best way I have found is to first figure out which way the line turns onto the spool and compare it with the rotation of the bail. Usually label-up is the way to go. You lay it on the ground and reel it in nice and smooth, running it through a sock held firmly against the rod with your hand. Drag should be medium to high for this. The problem with spinners is that the spools are often bigger than the spool the line is going on which is where line-jumps from memory come from. Which is why you spool it on pretty tight, but not super tight! I sometimes even dunk the entire spool into some lukewarm water for a few minutes if I have any doubts as to the line memory. I've never had any issue with line twists doing these techniques, ever.

[LonnieP]

40 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

For a BC reel, line-twist is basically a non-issue when spooling. I use a box with a pencil through the middle and keep it stable by having larger spools on either side on the pencil to keep the one I want to spool stable in the middle. Seems to work fine for me lol. #redneck engineering! Spinning reels, best way I have found is to first figure out which way the line turns onto the spool and compare it with the rotation of the bail. Usually label-up is the way to go. You lay it on the ground and reel it in nice and smooth, running it through a sock held firmly against the rod with your hand. Drag should be medium to high for this. The problem with spinners is that the spools are often bigger than the spool the line is going on which is where line-jumps from memory come from. Which is why you spool it on pretty tight, but not super tight! I sometimes even dunk the entire spool into some lukewarm water for a few minutes if I have any doubts as to the line memory. I've never had any issue with line twists doing these techniques, ever.

I do the same thing. Pencil through a box works good for me 

[Glenn]

You didn't mention if you're spooling baitcasting or spinning reels, but note in the videos below what I'm using to spool line on both.

 

 

 

[papajoe222]

What really peaked my interest was the way he showed for spinning reels. SPOOL OFF THE BOTTOM of the SPOOL FOR SPINNING REELS  

I’ve always laid the spool down on the floor. I’d still end up with a little twist, but no where the amount if I tried to do it from the spool box. 

I’ll be trying this next time I spool up. 

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

What really peaked my interest was the way he showed for spinning reels. SPOOL OFF THE BOTTOM of the SPOOL FOR SPINNING REELS  

I’ve always laid the spool down on the floor. I’d still end up with a little twist, but no where the amount if I tried to do it from the spool box. 

I’ll be trying this next time I spool up. 

For quality line if you lay the spool with the brand sticker up 

the line will come off the top. 

(BC)

Turn it over with the blank side up, it will come off the bottom (spinning)

 

There are many different ways to spool..

What I just explained...

In a box...

Between your toe's...

Or Tim Horton's way from his boat...

Drop the spool in the water and spool--Just make sure you reel fast enough to keep it within reach, and pull it out quick when you're done before it sinks. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[RPreeb]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

For quality line if you lay the spool with the brand sticker up 

the line will come off the top. 

(BC)

Turn it over with the blank side up, it will come off the bottom (spinning)

 

There are many different ways to spool..

What I just explained...

In a box...

Between your toe's...

Or Tim Horton's way from his boat...

Drop the spool in the water and spool--Just make sure you reel fast enough to keep it within reach, and pull it out quick when you're done before it sinks. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

This isn't certain.  The first time I tried it I ended up with a complete mess of twisted screwed up line.  The spool of Trilene that I had was just the opposite.  I'm going to try Mark's suggestion next time.  If it works, and there is no reason to think that it won't if works for him, then it's foolproof.

[Mike L]

What isn't certain??

I use a box when I can and have been known to put the pencil between my feet. 

What I do more often than not tho is just lay the spool on the ground or a table. 

 

They all work. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[LAO162]

Crank 20 times, soak partially filled spool with KVD Line & Lure, then repeat until spool is full.  Give one more soaking, and let sit over night.

 

I've never had much of an issue with line twist , but I usually have some type of tension applied to the line as I reel on the new line.  I do like L&L though

[OnthePotomac]

Get a Berkley line spooler, clamp it to a table/work bench top and it will do every line and spool size for $20.  Mine will hold a 1000yd spool.  The instructions will tell you to spool baitcasters from the top and spinning reels from the bottom.  I have had mine for 15 years and could not live without it.  For the jumbo spools with really big holes I just add rubber washers on each side of the large spool.  The regular spool holders tighten sufficiently on regular line spools for tension control.

[RPreeb]

17 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

Get a Berkley line spooler, clamp it to a table/work bench top and it will do every line and spool size for $20.  Mine will hold a 1000yd spool.  The instructions will tell you to spool baitcasters from the top and spinning reels from the bottom.  I have had mine for 15 years and could not live without it.  For the jumbo spools with really big holes I just add rubber washers on each side of the large spool.  The regular spool holders tighten sufficiently on regular line spools for tension control.

I've looked at this one.  The reviews are mixed.  Some say that it's too fragile, the spindle breaks loose from the base.  Others, like you, seem to love it.  Is this the one you are talking about?

 

[desmobob]

On 4/1/2018 at 12:19 PM, RPreeb said:

 

Do any of you have this spooler, and do you like it?

 

I have the Plano ProLatch Line Spool Box and have mixed feelings about it.  In theory, it seems pretty handy.  I bought it not for spooling, but for keeping spools of line/leader material in the boat.

 

In use, smaller diameter lines are not held securely by the rubber grommets each line passes through.  And when fully loaded with spools, the lines tend to loop off the spools and tangle.  When you open the lid to correct a tangle, the grip on the grommets on the lines pull off more slack that may or may not lay over the corresponding spool when you close the lid.  It's hard for me to explain, but it can be frustrating.

 

If the box was made so there was some tension on the spools, I think it would be more functional.  For spooling, I think understanding how different type reels need to be spooled is more important than having a line spooling device.  I use an old rod butt with the reel seat and first guide still intact to mount my reels, then use a small cardboard box, pencil, etc. to cobble up a quick spool holder. 

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

 

[MoBassRaider]

On 4/1/2018 at 11:19 AM, RPreeb said:

I was watching Mark Zona's show the other day, and he was showing how to spool line without twist.  Good info, but what I really took from that was his spool holder.  He had the Plano Line Spool Box, which both stores line and holds it for spooling.   I haven't bought a spooler yet and thought it looked like a good option to hold 6 spools up to 1" wide. 

 

Academy has it for $7.99 but I don't know what the shipping would be.  On the other hand, Amazon has it for 3 times the price ($23.93) with free shipping.  I can't believe that Academy charges $15 for shipping.  Cabela's has it for $8.99.  Walmart is $12.99.  Seems to be a lot of variance in retail pricing on this.  

 

Do any of you have this spooler, and do you like it?

 

Not sure where you’re seeing this $15 shipping charge from Academy. I just put one in the shopping cart there and the shipping is free. 

[MickD]

Keep in mind that the video stated that lines are not all spooled the same way, so for spin, label up on some, down on others.  I check EVERY time to be sure it's going on right.  Any spooler that has the source spool rotate is not the best for spin.  OK for cast.

 

Another way that the immersion in the water can help is that nylon absorbs water and becomes softer.  That's why storing nylon line and reels with nylon line on them in an unheated building in the north is a bad idea.  Very low humidity, nylon tends to get brittle.

[OnthePotomac]

ShortFish, that is what I have.  The metal arm sits in a slot for two positions.  It is not attached to the base.  As I said it has served me well for 15 years.  Some people are just hard on equipment I guess. You can see by the size of the moveable arm that it will hold a 1000 yd spool as I have done.  I have a large plastic C clamp I use to stabilize it on my work bench because I spool directly on to my reels mounted on the rod.  Not needed if you mount the reel on the spooler as shown in your post.

[RPreeb]

5 hours ago, MoBassRaider said:

 

Not sure where you’re seeing this $15 shipping charge from Academy. I just put one in the shopping cart there and the shipping is free. 

That $15 is the difference between the two suppliers.  I was trying to understand how the price could be that much different.  I never went far enough into Academy to see how much they charged for shipping.

[MoBassRaider]

15 hours ago, RPreeb said:

That $15 is the difference between the two suppliers.  I was trying to understand how the price could be that much different.  I never went far enough into Academy to see how much they charged for shipping.

Oh ok. I just ordered that from Academy and it cost $8.48 with tax and free shipping. 

[TOXIC]

I have the large size plano box but I have spooled pretty much every method mentioned in this thread including putting the line in a bucket of warm water and no matter how I spool the line, the first consideration is to not over spool, the second is to keep backing on to save on line (I usualy spool up about 2 and a half cast lengths) and the most important thing I do is after I finish spooling, I walk the line off my spool in my yard, diveway or street until I get to the backing and then I re-spool it up using my fingers for tension.  No line twist.  I will also peel off my line while fishing and changing lures and re-spool it to eliminate line twist.  I never use swivels so I do it often.