Labeling Your Fishing Rods/Reels With Line Size?

[Choporoz]

11 hours ago, Elkins45 said:

I try really hard not to pull out my phone when I’m in a boat. Having taken one swimming after doing the boat splits, I’m not in the mood to drop one overboard.

Sorry to threadjack...I use these...every time out

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I1430WQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a01mCbAKAC7XD

[OnthePotomac]

I made a simple table in Word which lists my reels, the line on them, date spooled and date cleaned.

[Jig Man]

I use fluoro on most of my setups.  H=15#   MH=12#   M=10#  ML=8#  L=6#

 

The braid is easy.  50# on BC and 8/1 on spinning.

 

3 2500 spinning with 10# mono

 

I also keep a spread sheet with each setup, the last serviced date and the last line change date.  That takes all of the thought process away except checking the sheet once in a while.

[Tizi]

I have been using OneNote to track my rods, reels, line size, lure size, usage etc.  It works great.

[RB 77]

 

On 11/24/2018 at 7:54 PM, Travis Gasper said:

My collection of rods and reels is constantly growing, and it’s becoming harder to remember what lb. line I have spooled up on each reel. Does anybody know a good way to label either the rods or reels to quickly and easily see what line is on it. Thanks for any input!

 

These seem like they would be something you might be interested in since they also have line type on them as well:

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Highwaters_Creations_Tackle_Tags_Line_Labels/descpage-TACKL.html?from=Google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwaHqwJrc3wIVCNlkCh34jAKCEAQYASABEgIHDPD_BwE

[Crankin4Bass]

I use a google doc spreadsheet I can access on my phone.

[Bankbeater]

My ml spinning rod has 6# mono on it.  One bc and one spinning reel have 10# mono, and the rest get 15# big game. I've spooled them enough now that I can remember which reel gets what line, but when I started out I wrote down the line size on the piece of tape I used to cover the backing on the spool.

[detroit1]

If you don't know what line is on what rod, you have too many rods in my opinion. I only have a dozen rigs in which only 8 make the boat (no room for more.) And usually only 5 make it on the deck. I don't fish tourneys so I don't mind taking 1 minute to retie/change baits. 16 rods on the front deck looks (to me) like you don't have a clue....

[Travis Gasper]

On 1/7/2019 at 9:37 AM, RB 77 said:

 

 

These seem like they would be something you might be interested in since they also have line type on them as well:

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Highwaters_Creations_Tackle_Tags_Line_Labels/descpage-TACKL.html?from=Google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwaHqwJrc3wIVCNlkCh34jAKCEAQYASABEgIHDPD_BwE

I looked at those! I ended up getting some that are very similar, pretty much the same thing. They work great. 

On 1/7/2019 at 3:34 PM, detroit1 said:

If you don't know what line is on what rod, you have too many rods in my opinion. I only have a dozen rigs in which only 8 make the boat (no room for more.) And usually only 5 make it on the deck. I don't fish tourneys so I don't mind taking 1 minute to retie/change baits. 16 rods on the front deck looks (to me) like you don't have a clue....

I have 16 bass setups, and I only bring 6 or 7 on my boat at a time. It’s just nice to have them labeled for a quick glance and knowing exactly what’s on there. I have two Abu Garcia Pro Max baitcasters for example, one with 17lb. fluoro and one with 20lb. fluoro. I don’t want to have to remember which one has the 17 and which one has the 20. I have four Abu Garcia Ike Series rods with Abu Garcia Revo SX reels on them. You get where I’m going here? Labeling just makes sense. 

[LionHeart]

Out of honest curiosity, why would you need to know after the rod is set up?  I mean, if you keep a dozen rods on deck I'm guessing that each is set for a specific reason.  

 

When would you go to pick up a rod designated for throwing chatter baits, etc. and think, 'oh crap, what size line is on the reel?'

 

Not trying to be a wise acre, asking out of pure ignorance.

[A-Jay]

37 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Out of honest curiosity, why would you need to know after the rod is set up?  I mean, if you keep a dozen rods on deck I'm guessing that each is set for a specific reason.  

 

When would you go to pick up a rod designated for throwing chatter baits, etc. and think, 'oh crap, what size line is on the reel?'

 

Not trying to be a wise acre, asking out of pure ignorance.

Perhaps think of fishing line as a tool - certain ones for certain jobs.

Now imagine that none of your tools have the sizes marked on them.

So all your sockets, wrenches for instance, were just sitting there, looking at you.

You can probably guess at the size; sometimes you're close, sometimes not - and every once in a while - you'll nail it. 

But then you spot this other tool box, that's plum full of tools and they are all marked by size - 

There's your Huckleberry

A-Jay

 

[Travis Gasper]

@LionHeart what @A-Jay said up above. Couldn’t say it by better myself. And when you go to re-spool it’s easier to know what size was on there if you wanted to put the same back on. 

[TOXIC]

Some of my higher end Quantum have line weight indicators in the butt section of the rod.  You just turn the dial to whatever weight line you have on that rod/reel.  

[LionHeart]

1 hour ago, Travis Gasper said:

@LionHeart what @A-Jay said up above. Couldn’t say it by better myself. And when you go to re-spool it’s easier to know what size was on there if you wanted to put the same back on. 

I guess I can sort of understand the point you guys are trying to make, but in my mind it's like saying this. (Stick with me here)

 

Let's say I have to change the PTO on my riding mower, and instead of using one socket wrench and grabbing the various sockets that I will need to do the job, I grab 12 socket wrenches and attach a different size socket to each wrench.  I then label each wrench according to the task it will perform.  On one wrench, I write 'Idler pulleys,' another I write 'Deck Level Retainer,' another 'PTO Clutch Bolt.' 

 

At this point, the size of the socket on each wrench is irrelevant because I have set up each wrench according to the task it will perform.  All I need to know is the task it is intended to perform.

 

In my mind, this is what we do as fisherman when we have 5, 10, 12, etc. rods on deck at the ready.  Each rod has already been set up according to its purpose.  Wondering what size line is on my finesse plastic rod would be like picking up a wrench labeled 'Idler pulleys,' and wondering if it had a 1/2 or 9/16 socket attached. It wouldn't much matter because that wrench is already to go for its intended purpose.

 

I hope that makes sense to anyone but me.  The winter months are rough.  

[Junger]

14 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Some of my higher end Quantum have line weight indicators in the butt section of the rod.  You just turn the dial to whatever weight line you have on that rod/reel.  

Make an aftermarket version, sell for $5/butt cap, and retire!

[A-Jay]

5 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I guess I can sort of understand the point you guys are trying to make, but in my mind it's like saying this. (Stick with me here)

 

Let's say I have to change the PTO on my riding mower, and instead of using one socket wrench and grabbing the various sockets that I will need to do the job, I grab 12 socket wrenches and attach a different size socket to each wrench.  I then label each wrench according to the task it will perform.  On one wrench, I write 'Idler pulleys,' another I write 'Deck Level Retainer,' another 'PTO Clutch Bolt.' 

 

At this point, the size of the socket on each wrench is irrelevant because I have set up each wrench according to the task it will perform.  All I need to know is the task it is intended to perform.

 

In my mind, this is what we do as fisherman when we have 5, 10, 12, etc. rods on deck at the ready.  Each rod has already been set up according to its purpose.  Wondering what size line is on my finesse plastic rod would be like picking up a wrench labeled 'Idler pulleys,' and wondering if it had a 1/2 or 9/16 socket attached. It wouldn't much matter because that wrench is already to go for its intended purpose.

 

I hope that makes sense to anyone but me.  The winter months are rough.  

The winter months are rough ~ 

 

A little walk down memory lane ~ 

  Apply your logic of rod use to line use, selection & identification, and you'll be there.

A-Jay

 

[detroit1]

My problem (besides sometimes jealousy), is that I don't have enough rigs and a bigger boat to house them. I am pretty happy (and gratefull) with what I do have.... 

[LionHeart]

On 1/7/2019 at 9:02 PM, Travis Gasper said:

I looked at those! I ended up getting some that are very similar, pretty much the same thing. They work great. 

I have 16 bass setups, and I only bring 6 or 7 on my boat at a time. It’s just nice to have them labeled for a quick glance and knowing exactly what’s on there. I have two Abu Garcia Pro Max baitcasters for example, one with 17lb. fluoro and one with 20lb. fluoro. I don’t want to have to remember which one has the 17 and which one has the 20. I have four Abu Garcia Ike Series rods with Abu Garcia Revo SX reels on them. You get where I’m going here? Labeling just makes sense. 

I'll quote this for clarity because I think maybe either I'm not clearly asking my question, or it has been answered and is going right over my head.

 

In the above reference of picking up a rod for a given application and not knowing whether it is spooled with 17 or 20 lb test line:  Of what utility is that knowledge?  If you plan to through a crainkbait, odds are you will grab the rod already set up for crankbaits.  Is the rod and reel not the predominant determinant, and the choice of line follow suit?

 

Would you favor a rod spooled with 17 lb instead of 20 lb for the same technique (all else being equal)?

 

  I understand (or at least think I do) why certain line types and lb test are preferred for certain applications, it seems fairly obvious.  What I am not clear on is if you need to pitch into a bunch of nasty cover (for example), grab your heavy pitching rod, it should already be properly set up for that task.  And if indeed it is, then of what value would it be to know the lb test or diameter of fishing line you have already decided appropriate?

 

Maybe there is something I am not getting.  Admittedly I am far from proficient.

 

 

[Gundog]

@LionHeart I understand what you are saying. You're saying it doesn't matter because you have the rod spooled with the line you are going to use for that specific lure and presentation. But sometimes anglers like to play with line diameter to get a few extra feet depth on crankbaits so they go from 15# to 12# line. If you do that on the water it is easier to just switch one reel with another. That is why its important to label reels/rods with line test. Just my opinion.

[LionHeart]

38 minutes ago, Gundog said:

@LionHeart I understand what you are saying. You're saying it doesn't matter because you have the rod spooled with the line you are going to use for that specific lure and presentation. But sometimes anglers like to play with line diameter to get a few extra feet depth on crankbaits so they go from 15# to 12# line. If you do that on the water it is easier to just switch one reel with another. That is why its important to label reels/rods with line test. Just my opinion.

Ahh ha.  Makes sense.  Thanks man

[MickD]

I've been paying more attention to line diameter recently, all types, and I'm not finding a direct correlation between diameter and pound test (at least advertised pound test).  I prefer to label showing the brand and year plus the pound test and type.  There is a very big difference in performance between brands of FC, for example.

[Elkins45]

There’s also the issue where you might have two or more identical rod/reel combos and need to be able to tell them apart.

[Junger]

37 minutes ago, Elkins45 said:

There’s also the issue where you might have two or more identical rod/reel combos and need to be able to tell them apart.

Like those weirdo golfers who use the same shaft length!

[WRB]

All my swimbait rods and reels have the same line, no problem.

My spinning finesse has either Maximum Ultra Green 5 lb or 7 lb Super Sniper FC and they are different color, no problem.

My deep diving crankbait reels have either Big Game 12 lb or Armillo 13 lb, different colors, no problem

My top water rods, small crankbait and jerk bait rods  and reels have 11 lb Armillo, no problem.

Jig and worm baitcasting rods have either 12 lb Green Super Sniper or 14 lb clear Super Sniper, different color, no problem.

If line is close to the same diameter I use different colors to instantly recognize the line being used. I can feel the difference of .002, calibrated finger tips!

It's better to develop your memory then rely on labels.

Tom

 

 

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, WRB said:

It's better to develop your memory then rely on labels.

My wife is amazed at my memory some times, but still I label as a backup because even the best memory occasionally has a 'brain-fart'.