Spool-Filling mystery.....

[Bluecraw]

:'(...why is it that everytime I change the line on my reels, it seems to build-up faster to the left side of the spool?  Even when I make a conscious effort to start the new line towards the right side, it seems to build-up more on the left!!....wierd.  It's not as bad when I do this, but shouldn't my spooled line be fairly even across the spool when I put it on and not look like a trapezoid?!  What gives??!!

I have Accurist reels.....I know...you Shimano guys are going to tell me, "That's your problem...."

[flechero]

Just a "guess" but how about this...

You have a right hand retrieve reel and use your left hand thumb and pointer finger to tension the line as you fill the spool, and while tensioning, you are holding the line to the left side, causing it to pile up over there.  There is enough slack in the line guide on most reels to allow that to happen.  And yes, I know this from experience.  ...lol  

[Bluecraw]

Hmmm.....you might be onto something there.  I fill it through the rod guides and get my tension from my line-spool-holder-thingy, but now that you mention it, when I first start I do use my left hand fingers to get the initial slack out....hmmm.  I'll try another technique and let you know.  Thanks....

....by the way, this forum ROCKS!

[KenDammit28]

you could also have the reel tilted to the left instead of perfectly horizontal or to the right.  I do it all the time.  Since I reel with my right hand, my reel naturally will tilt towards the left as I hold the line with the finger and thumb.  That causes the line to pile up more on the left side, soI just make an effort to tilt to the right and even it out.  IN the end, you make a few casts and everything is back to normal.

[burleytog]

Mine does the same thing.  Straightens itself out after a day on the lake.

[5bass]

If you spool your reels on a rod and the spool is coming in on the right of your tip,it will load heavy to that side....same for the left side. Whenever I see it loading heavy to one side,I just switch the rod position to the other side.

[senile1]

Nice tip, fivebasslimit.  And as Burley stated, it will even up after a few casts.  

[shortbasser]

I had that same problem some years back and cured it all when I got me a Berkley Spooling Station. I don't have to fight the rods any longer. It has an adjustable tension for the line spool and eliminates the lopsided spooling. Works with both BC and spinning reels. Makes re-spooling an easy chore even out on the water. Good investment.

Shortbasser

[Papa_Tom]

Cheap fix that I found.  Got a BPS Aluminum Line Winder.....$9.99. Put line spool on shaft, adjust spring tension, thread line thru guides and crank it on.  Comes with a suction cup that I immediately toss.  Usually stick the shaft between my feet and hold it like that.  Think you will see your line go on evenly.  It takes up no more room than a screwdriver.  One of the handiest items I have bought.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=20677&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

[Bluecraw]

WOW!  Glad I'm not the only one who's had this problem.  I would say I do just about everything you guys have mentioned when lining my reels.  Guess I never realized all of the subtle things that could cause this.  I'll be changing my technique from now on.  Thanks to everyone for all of the insight.  I just can't believe how long I've been cursing my line and reels, when it's been my fault all along... :-[

[Alpster]

This is how I solved the problem. Home made spooler from scrap parts around the garage.

Ronnie

[BassPonder72]

My cheap fix for that problem was to wrap a soft piece of cloth around the line once threaded through the eye closest to the reel and stuff the cloth through the eye.  This keeps the tension but, you must make sure the line is centered in the eye so it will work properly.  Don't use a tissue; you'll get lint in your spool.  I know.

[NBR]

I spool mine with a Berkley Spooling station and have the same issues. I try to guide the line with my finger between the level wind eye and the spool if it is getting real bad. As Burley says it corrects itself after a few minutes on the lake.

I don't understand why but I don't really care that much since it fixes itself

[Glenn]

I had the same issues too.  Then one day I got tired of it, got a cheapo spool of line I had won somewhere, and experimented - pulling the line to one side and then the other while spooling to see what happened. Viola!  Figured out what everyone has been saying here (this was well before the web existed).  

Now I have a Berkley spooling station and it works great (provided you center the spool first).  It's a lot faster and easier to spool line too.

[burleytog]

This is how I solved the problem. Home made spooler from scrap parts around the garage.

Ronnie

I have been working on a similar design myself.  It gets old having my wife or co-worker hold the spoon when I refill my casting reels.

[NBR]

Burley,

The Berkley respooling station is not expensive, and has adjustable tension on the line and has cone shaped gizmos that center spools. Page 141 BPS 2007 master catalog, $26.99. Mine has got to be over 10 years old and has served me well. Using this has eliminated the need for me to badger my bride into holding the spool. It also eliminates her from knowing just how many reels I have so I don't need to justify needing a new reel. It does not work with spinning reels.

[.ghoti.]

There is one other possibility. the levelwing pawl could be worn. This will cause the same problem. You'll know when that's the cause because it won't correct itself by repositioning the spool or rod. It takes a few years, but it will happen. It is fairly easy to replace.

Cheers,

GK

[Sam]

I use the Berkley Spooling Station also and it is great.

My next Christmas present list will include the more expensive electric model.

I have never had any problems with the Berkley Spooling Station and I suggest investing $25 and getting one.  It is well worth the money.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

This is how I solved the problem. Home made spooler from scrap parts around the garage.

Ronnie

     Is that a line counter   on there now thats cool to keep records of how much line each reel can hold not that line is exspensive just nice to no if u have a reel with say 200 yards capacity and u mark ur spool of line for later use and it has 175 yrds  no more puttin it on and wasting it.  I think im goin to do that.

[justfishin]

I use the Eva Asburnink Groenstast spooling station. She is from Austria and doesn't ;D mind holding the spools of line on a pencil. This is a very attractive spooling station!