Spooling up reels yourself

[pauldconyers]

I'm getting tired of running up to Bass Pro every time I need to put line on a reel and want to do it myself. What do I need to do it myself? I'm envisioning a not too expensive device/machine versus sticking a pencil throw the line spool or something. Anyone have some recommendations?

[Todd2]

A long nail..come off the top on casting reels, off the bottom for spinning reels. Squeeze the line a little as it goes on..it's worked for more years than I care to admit.

[Dens228]

I stick a screwdriver in a vise, put the spool on that.

I can't imagine going somewhere every time I spool a reel, Like Todd2 its worked for way too many years.

[wisconsin heat]

Half the time I just set the spool on the ground and place it beneath my feet so it doesn't flail around. I've used pencils before too. Pretty much anything works, once you do it the first time you'll realize how easy it is and won't go back to back to have line put on Everytime you need it.

[scaleface]

What kind of reel ?

 

[Russ E]

for a casting reels I hang the spool on a nail in my garage.

for spinning reels I use this. it allows the spool to spin with the reel and nearly eliminates line twist.

it is around $30.00 on amazon.

[JediAmoeba]

I have a bolt with nuts and washers on it.  I stick it in a vise and tighten it down with the different nuts and plastic washers so it is firm but not too tight and then reel it onto the spool.  Before that I used a friend holding the spool on a screwdriver.  

 

For spinning reels I lay the spool on the a board I stuck a bolt in and tighten it down making sure you have it so the twist isn't going against your spool and then I crimp the loose line with my fingers to add tension as I reel it onto the reel.

[TBAG]

I tried all the above, pencil, nail, etc. and never got the results I was after......

 

I ended up using some scrap wood and took a trip to Lowes for the rest of the materials needed and built this. It's awesome, perfect everytime. I just clamp it to the work bench in the garage or to truck bumper. I sanded it and spray painted it black to make it look a little better.

 

https://www.sportfishingmag.com/fishing-line-spooler-diy/#page-11

[Hower08]

A little trick with mono and flouro. After spooling onto a spinning reel put the spool into a coffee mug and run it under hot water for a few minutes it will take the memory out of the line. 

[bwjay]

I haven't done a spinning reel myself yet but I would do it the same way I've done my baitcasting reels. Get a chopstick or a pencil, put the spool on, then pinch the ends with your big toes on each foot, putting very light pressure on the ground just to keep the spool from wobbling side to side. Keep pressure on the line as it comes onto the spool to get it on there tightly, but not TOO tight, just some light pressure. For baitcasting reels this works with just the reel in hand, but for spinning reels, because of how far the line spins around, I would put the reel on a rod and thread it through the guides so it goes on straight. This should still work with the spool between your feet because the line comes up to the rod and then straight down to the spool.

[Catt]

Berkley Spooling Station $20 ?

 

 

[Deleted account]

I mostly spool from bulk spools, and for that the only thing I need is a bulk spool. For narrow spools a screw driver, dowel, pencil, or some other stick thing work.

[georgeyew]

1 hour ago, bwjay said:

I haven't done a spinning reel myself yet but I would do it the same way I've done my baitcasting reels. Get a chopstick or a pencil, put the spool on, then pinch the ends with your big toes on each foot, putting very light pressure on the ground just to keep the spool from wobbling side to side. Keep pressure on the line as it comes onto the spool to get it on there tightly, but not TOO tight, just some light pressure. For baitcasting reels this works with just the reel in hand, but for spinning reels, because of how far the line spins around, I would put the reel on a rod and thread it through the guides so it goes on straight. This should still work with the spool between your feet because the line comes up to the rod and then straight down to the spool.

When spooling a spinning reel, don't put it on a pencil like  you would on a baitcaster. Just set it on the ground and let the line come off the side. There are lots of videos on Youtube showing the proper way to do it.

[LonnieP]

A pencil through a small cardboard box works well for me.

[PourMyOwn]

24 minutes ago, Catt said:

Berkley Spooling Station $20 ?

 

 

Mine must be close to 20 years old!

[redmeansdistortion]

I built my own, something like this https://www.sportfishingmag.com/fishing-line-spooler-diy/  It ran me less than $10.

[Catt]

19 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

Mine must be close to 20 years old!

 

Berkley still offers them ?

[pauldconyers]

2 hours ago, Russ E said:

for a casting reels I hang the spool on a nail in my garage.

for spinning reels I use this. it allows the spool to spin with the reel and nearly eliminates line twist.

it is around $30.00 on amazon.

Hmm, would this also work on a BC reel? Just turn it upside down or something?

[Khoa Vu]

 

1. set spool on the ground

2. run the line through the last page of a heavy book (for tension)

3. run the line through first 2 guides from rod butt up to the reel. (Optional step)

4. start reeling line onto reel making sure the line is tight to avoid line digs. 

5. Add desired tension by placing foot on book. 

 

this is how i've been doing it without a spooling tool.  

[evilcatfish]

This thing can't be beat for $6. I've owned a couple different, more expensive, spooling devices and this is the only one I still own

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Aluminum-Fishing-Line-Reel-Spooler-Winder-Spool-Winding-System-Tackle/312673627046?hash=item48cccceba6:g:tdMAAOSwOmtdEt5B

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, pauldconyers said:

Hmm, would this also work on a BC reel? Just turn it upside down or something?

Yes. It sets up the same way. The only difference is you can lock it down for a baitcaster, so the spool is stationary.

It is great for braid, because there is a tension adjustment, that allows you to fill the spool under pressure. That way the line is not digging into itself. First time you set it up is a little awkward, but after that it works good.

[WRB]

P-Line line spooler has a suction cup mount and spring tension works on narrow or wider spools $12

Bait casting reels the line comes off the top of the filler spool turning clockwise, spinning of the bottom turning counterclockwise.

Tom

[JustJames]

d**n you guys got so many ways to spool the reel lol.

Very simple for me, spinning reel just use half rod, run line through first guide, set the bulk spool on table label up and start reeling, for baitcaster, first off take of you shoe and your sock, I use chopstick poke thru filler spool, hold chopstick between your big toe and index toe and start reeling, you can apply pressure with your big toe to the side of spool.

[Chris at Tech]

A pencil and a friend

[ohboyitsrobby]

Either a Berkley spooling station, the bathtub or the lake. I saw Timmy Horton throw a spool in the lake to refill one time and i just picked it up. I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly why.