Why can't I get the line even on my baitcaster spool?!!

[Skeeloco]

I tie braid to center of spool and cover with a piece of electric tape. I make sure line guide is in the exact middle before reeling on new line. Still majority of line off to right side after spooling it up. I let out all the line, get line guide to the left side and reel. Majority of line still on right side!! I don't understand?! Curado 71 MGL. 

[bulldog1935]

the spool is probably not centered in the frame - try backing off on the spool tension. 

 

Can also depend on alignment of the line through the guides - you should use at least two guides on the rod to spool a baitcaster. 

[B-Gee]

I had this problem for a while.  Finally I noticed it was because I had a finger against the line too close to the spool. Problem solved after I kept my finger off the line or placed the finger farther away from the spool.

[Mike L]

Also, Make sure you’re putting it on with tension and use your fingers to follow the level wind as it moves back and forth. 
 

If still does it just pull off enough line to get it even and then ..see above. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[FrnkNsteen]

Couple questions/suggestions...

 

First,... Watch your levelwind while you are reeling the line onto the spool to see if it is hanging up on that right side at all. It should move to the end then start going back the other way. Make sure it's not slipping on the right end and staying there longer than it should.

 

Second,... Are you gripping the line in front of the reel while filling the spool to put tension on the line? If so,.. Make sure your grip on the line is centered on the reel. I have had that happen and realized I was gripping the line towards the right side and causing it to build on the right side like you showed.

 

I would have thought the levelwind would overcome the tension I was putting on, but it didnt. I pulled the line back off and redid it with my grip on the line centered on the spool and it went on perfect. Strange, I know!!

3 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Also, Make sure you’re putting it on with tension and use your fingers to follow the level wind as it moves back and forth. 
 

If still does it just pull off enough line to get it even and then ..see above. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

Good advice, but I have struggled with staying focused enough to keep my fingers aligned with the levelwind!! ?? I can usually stay in the center though! ?

[new2BC4bass]

If it only happens when spooling on the line, then it is something easily corrected.  Spooling on line evenly, but then have it piling up on one side with the first cast is something not so easily corrected.  I have such a reel.  Got suggestions here, but none worked.  Haven't sent it to a professional to see what the problem is since I have more reels than rods.  Need to, though, since it is a reel I had tuned and upgraded.  Would kind of be nice to use it occasionally.

 

As stated, you can control the line while spooling it.  I can get the above mentioned reel to spool evenly every time if done by hand.  BUT making a cast and not touching the line on retrieve piles it up on one side every time with just one cast.

[bulldog1935]

don't use your fingers for tension, run the line through a phone book for tension. 

I can walk away from this and the spool maintains tension

 

 

[FrnkNsteen]

2 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

If it only happens when spooling on the line, then it is something easily corrected.  Spooling on line evenly, but then have it piling up on one side with the first cast is something not so easily corrected.  I have such a reel.  Got suggestions here, but none worked.  Haven't sent it to a professional to see what the problem is since I have more reels than rods.  Need to, though, since it is a reel I had tuned and upgraded.  Would kind of be nice to use it occasionally.

 

As stated, you can control the line while spooling it.  I can get the above mentioned reel to spool evenly every time if done by hand.  BUT making a cast and not touching the line on retrieve piles it up on one side every time with just one cast.

I know this seems obvious, but likely a worn out levelwind or pawl. Maybe both.

[Deleted account]

Constructive interference between gravity and holding the line between fingers too close to reel's line guide, ie user error. 

14 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

don't use your fingers, for tension, run the line through a phone book for tension. 

I can walk away from this and the spool maintains tension

 

 

It's a good thing you are into this and not cats...

[Skeeloco]

38 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Couple questions/suggestions...

 

First,... Watch your levelwind while you are reeling the line onto the spool to see if it is hanging up on that right side at all. It should move to the end then start going back the other way. Make sure it's not slipping on the right end and staying there longer than it should.

 

Second,... Are you gripping the line in front of the reel while filling the spool to put tension on the line? If so,.. Make sure your grip on the line is centered on the reel. I have had that happen and realized I was gripping the line towards the right side and causing it to build on the right side like you showed.

 

I would have thought the levelwind would overcome the tension I was putting on, but it didnt. I pulled the line back off and redid it with my grip on the line centered on the spool and it went on perfect. Strange, I know!!

Good advice, but I have struggled with staying focused enough to keep my fingers aligned with the levelwind!! ?? I can usually stay in the center though! ?

 

Yeeha that was it! I must have been gripping the line off to the right when spooling. Gripped rod a little higher and made sure to keep fingers directly in center while applying tension, now it's perfect. Looks like I could have fit at least another 25 yards of line on my spool too ?

[PhishLI]

44 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

don't use your fingers for tension, run the line through a phone book for tension. 

I can walk away from this and the spool maintains tension

 

 

Oh, you're into Hi-Tech spooling stations too? Nice!

 

Yes, my spool spindle is a X-ACTO knife with a fender washer.?

 

[Deleted account]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Oh, you're into Hi-Tech spooling stations too? Nice!

 

Yes, my spool spindle is a X-ACTO knife with a fender washer.?

 

Wife's pinkies...  

[new2BC4bass]

30 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I know this seems obvious, but likely a worn out levelwind or pawl. Maybe both.

I'd be very surprised if the tuner missed these problems as he is known to be probably the best Dawai guy around.  I tried looking at the levelwind and watching it travel back and forth to see if it stayed on one side longer than on the other side, but admit I've never done more than pull a spool out of a reel.  I dislike tinkering.  The following is his comments on the reel.

 

"In this reel, I found that a bearing that could be added, was added....so you saved there I did find an odd configuration with the spool bearings, however; one of the bearings appeared to be a stock bearing with one shield(s) removed, while the other looked to be a Boca orange seal.....I replaced these bearings with a much superior set of YT Fusion HD+ bearings(my last kit). I also found that some of the e-clips in the reel were terribly deformed, so I replaced them as well"

 

This is the same gentleman who went through an Airy Red of mine that I couldn't spool line on when I received it.  He found pieces missing in the reel.  I've had pretty good luck buying used reels, but after the Airy Red experience I'd have to say I would be a little leery if I knew the person selling the reel had taken it apart.  Not everyone is as good as they think they are when it comes to working on reels.

 

In the case of the Airy Red it cost me more in repairs and upgrades than what I paid for the reel.  However, I now have a fantastic reel.  One I always wanted.  Luckily the cosmetics were A1 so I have a reel that performs better than when new...and looks great doing it. 

[Deleted account]

28 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I'd be very surprised if the tuner missed these problems as he is known to be probably the best Dawai guy around.  I tried looking at the levelwind and watching it travel back and forth to see if it stayed on one side longer than on the other side, but admit I've never done more than pull a spool out of a reel.  I dislike tinkering.  The following is his comments on the reel.

 

"In this reel, I found that a bearing that could be added, was added....so you saved there I did find an odd configuration with the spool bearings, however; one of the bearings appeared to be a stock bearing with one shield(s) removed, while the other looked to be a Boca orange seal.....I replaced these bearings with a much superior set of YT Fusion HD+ bearings(my last kit). I also found that some of the e-clips in the reel were terribly deformed, so I replaced them as well"

 

This is the same gentleman who went through an Airy Red of mine that I couldn't spool line on when I received it.  He found pieces missing in the reel.  I've had pretty good luck buying used reels, but after the Airy Red experience I'd have to say I would be a little leery if I knew the person selling the reel had taken it apart.  Not everyone is as good as they think they are when it comes to working on reels.

 

In the case of the Airy Red it cost me more in repairs and upgrades than what I paid for the reel.  However, I now have a fantastic reel.  One I always wanted.  Luckily the cosmetics were A1 so I have a reel that performs better than when new...and looks great doing it. 

If you ever get into bicycles let me know, have one more nephew to put through college...