Spooling your spinning reel

[LakeWinni]

Some suggest you should match the bail rotation with how the new line comes off the spool (counter clockwise). Is this more important for mono and flouro than for braid due to memory and even then is it really important for avoiding line twist w mono?  To do this I think you need to stand the new spool of line up (side w sticker up) vs just having it spin on a rod where its horizontal (sides w stickers on side). So is this important for preventing twists or not really?

 

One more question: Is it bad to remove all the line off a spinning reel when the bail is closed, meaning does it wear down the drag to have the drag on for the whole removal of line off the reel?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, LakeWinni said:

Some suggest you should match the bail rotation with how the new line comes off the spool (counter clockwise). Is this more important for mono and flouro than for braid due to memory and even then is it really important for avoiding line twist w mono?  To do this I think you need to stand the new spool of line up (side w sticker up) vs just having it spin on a rod where its horizontal (sides w stickers on side). So is this important for preventing twists or not really?

This is how I've been spooling my spinners for over 50 years - rarely have issues with line twist. If it works, use it.

 

1 minute ago, LakeWinni said:

One more question: Is it bad to remove all the line off a spinning reel when the bail is closed, meaning does it wear down the drag to have the drag on for the whole removal of line off the reel?

Not if you loosen the drag so the spool free-spins.

 

I just open the bail when stripping line off a spinner - then I don't have to worry about the drag.

[WRB]

Agree open the bail.

very few spinning reels rotate rotate counter clockwise today.

The simple method is use axel (pencil) and take the line off the bottom of the spool for spinning and off the top for casting. Old school is label up laying flat.

Tom

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Agree open the bail.

very few spinning reels rotate rotate counter clockwise today.

The simple method is use axel (pencil) and take the line off the bottom of the spool for spinning and off the top for casting. Old school is label up laying flat.

Tom

 

This is how I do it. Never an issue. 

[Jig Man]

I only have Shimano spinning reels.  I take my line off the top just like with my bait casters.  I don’t have line twist.

[LakeWinni]

On 3/24/2022 at 10:12 PM, WRB said:

Agree open the bail.

very few spinning reels rotate rotate counter clockwise today.

The simple method is use axel (pencil) and take the line off the bottom of the spool for spinning and off the top for casting. Old school is label up laying flat.

Tom

 

When the spool is laying down (ends of cylinder are L/R not U/Down) why is taking line off the bottom for spinning better than off the top? Thanks!  

[WRB]

The spool spins in opposite directions, off the top clockwise, off the bottom counter clockwise. Same thing happens with a filler spool laying flat on the ends, the line is coming off in opposite directions. The larger diameter a filler spool is the less memory the line will have from time under pressure creating coils. 

The old school was watching the line for coils as you spool it.

If the coils started you flipped the spool over. Using a mandrel the spool spins so how you take line off counter or clockwise is off the top or off the bottom.

Tom

[NYWayfarer]

Great advice from @WRB That’s the way I added line to my reels for years.

 

I have invested in a few bait spooling stations over the years. My current favorite is the Kastking Kalibrate. I bought it for the line counter feature but it has an adjustable spool mount for baitcasters or spinning reels so the line goes on without twist.

[Captain Phil]

I have always loaded my spinning reels with the line spool label facing up.  I use a cotton garden glove to add tension to the line as I reel the line on.  Just in case, I stop every 2-3 reel turns and observe how the line looks.  If it's coiling, I turn the spool over and try again. If all else fails or if I find my line twisted while in the boat, I let the line trail out behind the boat as I idle.  The biggest cause of spinning reel bird's nests is anglers closing the bail by turning the reel handle.  I always close my bail manually and check for loops before I cast.  May take a little more effort, but it solves a lot of problems. 

[cyclops2]

 

  I do it Capt. Phil way.

 

But 20 casts later the twist is back    Why I like braid. It can handle twisting best.

[TOXIC]

My method it doesn’t matter. ? When loading a spinning rod I have backing that makes it pretty easy to load the amount of mono I want on my spinning reel.  That’s usually about 2.5 cast lengths.  I load from a spooling box with the partitions and small holes on the bottom for feeding lines.  The line comes off the bottom of the spools if that matters.  When finished, I prop the rod securely upright, open the bail and walk all of the new line out to the backing either in my yard or down the street.  I actually prefer the street because it lets the line lie flat.  I then go back, close the bail and pinch the line while winding it back on the spool.  I guarantee you it will have no twist if you do it right.  I also spray a little line conditioner on as I reel it in.  Not a lot, just in a few spots.  One thing I never do is the old Bill Dance tip of soaking the line in warm water as you spool it.  While that may eliminate twist, it is guaranteed to add memory.

[Boomstick]

On 3/24/2022 at 10:12 PM, WRB said:

The simple method is use axel (pencil) and take the line off the bottom of the spool for spinning and off the top for casting. Old school is label up laying flat.

Tom

 

 

I have always used the old method. Never had any problems once spooled but many spools have divots in them which causes it to flop around like a fish when spooling it which is rather annoying.

[WRB]

Why fight it, use a pencil for a axial and take the off the spool bottom for spinning.

Tom

[Fishing_Rod]

Good Day All,

 

On 3/27/2022 at 6:27 PM, Boomstick said:

 

I have always used the old method. Never had any problems once spooled but many spools have divots in them which causes it to flop around like a fish when spooling it which is rather annoying.

 

Over the years of trying different things to address that particular issue of spool flop. Lately I have resorted to clamping a screw driver for the axle. The handle acts as a bushing only engaging the area near the spool opening thus avoiding the flopping about. Additionally I offset by a few degrees from vertical which seems to make the whole process smoother, less opportunity for the line to jump from the spool. I can wind away at a modest pace while maintaining a consistent tension throughout the process. I use an old used water soaked sock to pinch about the line to provide that tension while reeling in. Cheers!

[gim]

Take the actual spool off the reel and bring it into a Cabela's.  They will spool it up with anything you want to for free (you just have to provide the line or pay for it).  No charge for mono backing either.  Takes like 3 minutes/reel and goes on without any line twist.

 

If you're actually reeling the line on with a spinning reel, you are getting some line twist.

[Skunkmaster-k]

On 3/27/2022 at 8:38 PM, WRB said:

Why fight it, use a pencil for a axial and take the off the spool bottom for spinning.

Tom

I had never tried this method before. Tried it today and it worked great. Way easier than laying the spool on it’s side. 

[LakeWinni]

On 3/27/2022 at 9:38 PM, WRB said:

Why fight it, use a pencil for a axial and take the off the spool bottom for spinning.

Tom

I want counter clockwise for spinning right but if I take line off the bottom, when I look at the spool from the side it appears to be spinning clockwise, is this wrong? 

[LakeWinni]

Bump, help me understand my last post ?