Spool getting low

[70diesel]

What do you guys do when your running out of line on a spool? I have flouro on my baitcaster and it’s now half full. It’s not time to add line yet but what do you do when it’s getting close? Tie new line to the existing line or just pull it all off and start fresh? Seems like a waste of line to just toss it out unless you’re emptying the spool each cast. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I'm probably in the minority, but I always put fresh line on.

[lo n slo]

i always use backer if i’m spooling fluoro so it’s an easy call. when i get down to my blood knot it’s time to add new line. 

[Hammer 4]

18 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I'm probably in the minority, but I always put fresh line on.

Well that makes 2 of us...

[Angry John]

It depends on the reel.  My full size spools i let ride until on a long cast i dont have any line left to fight a fish.  On my alphas i change line a lot because the casting distance is really effected unless the spool is near full.  I run YHB on those reels so when its time to change it does not hurt.  I only run flouro on one or two rods and keep it spooled for most of the year.

[NYWayfarer]

Fresh line for me. Most of my baitcaster have Berkley Big Game mono on them. Good, cheap line so it doesn’t hurt so much to respool.

[JediAmoeba]

I use braid with leaders on just about everything.  If anything does happen to my main line I take it all off and respool the whole thing.  

[FLAGATOR49]

Keep your spools full for max casting distance and to pick up more line. I fill high capacity spools about 1/4 - 1/3 full of backing, cheap 6lb mono from Walmart. 

[Backroad Angler]

If I start feeling less confident catching fish because of the small amount of line I have on the spool, I usually rip it off and spool on new line. Or I'm feeling cheap, I just bloodknot new line.

[Team9nine]

15 hours ago, 70diesel said:

What do you guys do when your running out of line on a spool? I have flouro on my baitcaster and it’s now half full. It’s not time to add line yet but what do you do when it’s getting close? Tie new line to the existing line or just pull it all off and start fresh? Seems like a waste of line to just toss it out unless you’re emptying the spool each cast. 

Oh yes it is...?

 

I would have changed a long time ago. I hate low spool levels. Like a lot of guys, I use cheap backing line on the spool and then just top off completely with whatever new line I’m using, usually 75-80 yds. When the spool starts getting low, just pull off line to the connecting knot, cut and splice on the new line, then fill the spool up. Pretty simple and straightforward once you have it set up, and saves money since you're not refilling the entire spool every time.

[roadwarrior]

Always a full spool, +/- 70 yards of fresh line.

 

[islandbass]

6 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Oh yes it is...?

 

I would have changed a long time ago. I hate low spool levels. Like a lot of guys, I use cheap backing line on the spool and then just top off completely with whatever new line I’m using, usually 75-80 yds. When the spool starts getting low, just pull off line to the connecting knot, cut and splice on the new line, then fill the spool up. Pretty simple and straightforward once you have it set up, and saves money since you're not refilling the entire spool every time.

This. And you never ever have to start from an empty spool or worry which joining knot to use. 

[flyfisher]

Always a full spool.  None of my reels hold that much line so the difference is negligible.  I also never let them get down to half way either as it effects casting and inches per turn.  Braid i let go a little longer before I replace it but when it is my copolymer (don't use flouro) i replace line pretty frequently.  Cheap insurance in my mind.  I was out today with a freshly spooled reel and on a backcast it caught a rod behind me (fishing from a kayak has some inherent risks) and backlashed to the point I had to cut it out.  It took about a quarter spool of line and that will be getting replaced this weekend for sure.  

[LonnieP]

I use green Big Game for backing. When I can see the green underneath the Fluorocarbon on the spool after making a long cast I will respool. 

[JustJames]

On 8/15/2019 at 3:30 PM, 70diesel said:

What do you guys do when your running out of line on a spool? I have flouro on my baitcaster and it’s now half full. It’s not time to add line yet but what do you do when it’s getting close? Tie new line to the existing line or just pull it all off and start fresh? Seems like a waste of line to just toss it out unless you’re emptying the spool each cast. 

I’m not sure your reel size, but how much line you have left after long cast? If you still have plenty then may be time to add backing, either cheap mono or braid and use that as a baseline to change new line every time you get to the connection. Please note a typically full spool line will cast further than half spool. 

Method to add backing to full spool, just add whatever line you want to old line, fill to spool full. Now the hard part, strip all the line out, you can walk around your yard, dock, swimming pool, or big bucket with water in it, then start from the end of backing line and fill your spool from there. 

 

[deadadrift89]

On 8/15/2019 at 5:56 PM, lo n slo said:

i always use backer if i’m spooling fluoro so it’s an easy call. when i get down to my blood knot it’s time to add new line. 

 

20 hours ago, LonnieP said:

I use green Big Game for backing. When I can see the green underneath the Fluorocarbon on the spool after making a long cast I will respool. 

I do same with my baitcasters, use cheap Big Game mono for backer that way I can add 1/2 spool(100yds)of Sunline Sniper to top off. Really helps offset cost per reel. 

[CrankFate]

On 8/15/2019 at 6:52 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

I'm probably in the minority, but I always put fresh line on.

Me too. 

[WRB]

I keep the line within 1/16" to 1/8" from full below the spool rim.

The line about 1/2 spool is severely deformed and weakened from cold flow pressure, nearly worthless except for arbor filler.

Your reels IPT, inch per turn, is reduced about 50% at 1/2 spool; turn the reel handle 1 full turn at full spool with 6.3:1 gear ratio the IPT is about 26", at 1/2 spool IPT is about 15-16", that alone should be the reason to keep the reel spool filled.

Tom

[70diesel]

Thanks. I would’ve never thought of using cheap backing, that’s a great idea going with a different color also. 

[Yumeya]

I use backing and braid with leader, once the braid wears out a bit I just reverse it or spool it onto another reel.

[Mobasser]

I've always tried to keep my spools full, and feline as needed. Makes any reel perform better