How to achieve a level wind?

[Smirak]

Just took possession of my new daiwa tatula sv tw. Went to spool it up, and it’s uneven. See the pic below. I’m using a line winder, and it has worked, but I noted on the only other daiwa reel I had (had being the operative word) didn’t wind level with this setup either. The spool holder on the top under is pretty tight, and my drag is on full. Is it me? The setup? Line?

 

Backed with about 10yds of big game 12, followed up with 50lb suffix (performance, not 832. Already don’t like it, so it’ll go).

 

See below for pic.

 

 

[NorthernBasser]

You're saying the spool tension is tightened to where the spool doesn't have any play in it?

 

Is the actual line guide moving the same distance to each side? I had a new reel a while back where the line guide didn't quiiiite go as far to the left as it did to the right, causing line to build up more on the right side of the spool. 

[Smirak]

Yeah, no sorry…I meant the spool holder on the winder. The line guide does go all the way to the sides equally. This has the “level wind system, and it seems like when it goes to the sides, it’s already going back to the middle not allowing line to lay on the sides of the spool, bulking up the middle. 
 

does this make sense?

[JustJames]

Maybe because TWing guide that make your line escape that small hole and jump up to the top. If you can pinch the line with your finer in front of the reel, and move left to right along with line guide, that might help.

 

 

[Smirak]

Yeah, that’s what I’m trying now. Also, switched my braid to tactx, which is what I normally use.

 

This may be irrelevant, but is there a “proper way” to wind the line for tying the knot? What I guess I’m trying to ask is this…

 

My line is coming off the top of the line spool on the winder. I feed it through the line guide on reel. Does it matter if I lay the line over the top of the spool and then tie off, OR should I lay the line “under” the spool to tie off?

 

like I said, may be irrelevant 

 

 

[A-Jay]

Tighten your spool tension so there is no playback & forth with spool in the reel frame.  When the spool is 'floating' around in a casting reel to make reeling easier,  it rarely gets an even, tight & proper line lay. 

A-Jay

[Bigbox99]

I think your filler spool is too high and allowing line to get into the wide part of the T Wing.  The T Wing (when the line stays in the small portion) lays line super precisely.  I usually just leave the filler spool in the box and wind the line onto the reel through the 1st guide with the box of line standing upright between my feet while sitting down.  You can probably duplicate this with your spooling contraption by tugging the line down in front of the reel while spooling.

 

Yeah, the line is not down in the narrow portion of the T Wing and this is the issue.

You can respool or just go make a long cast with something and walk off a ton of line and wind it back on.  It will lay line like normal once on a rod.  Your spooling thing is not playing nicely with the reel is all.

[WRB]

Filler spool is too close to the reel.

Run the line through all the rod guides this will resolve the problem. Now that the line is on unevenly walk off the line and respool by running the line between a folded wet towel for tension with the line through all the rod guides.

Tom

[FishTank]

Always tighten the tension knob and the drag a little bit when spooling a new reel, almost like it should be when you are casting it for the first time.

 

With everything loose the line will sort of choose a side and fill more to that portion of the spool. 

[bulldog1935]

IMO, his wind result looks like spool tension is too tight. 

I always make sure my line goes through the two closest guides on the rod.  

[Rockhopper]

Cast it a couple times.  Everything will work itself out.

[Deleted account]

8 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Cast it a couple times.  Everything will work itself out.

Like the Spiderman movies...

[Bigbox99]

The line is clearly in the wide portion of the T Wing while being wound onto the spool.  The line should only flow out of the wide portion on the cast and should be in the narrow portion and wound on precisely when the handle is turned.  You can see the line at the far left portion of the T Wing when it should be at the white line location when being wound on.

[Smirak]

Ok. Thanks to all of you, here it is now. I had to run pick up a spool of Suffix 832. I normally use tactx, but when respooling, I’m switching over to 832. For domestic, I like it. Will order some J Braid sometime and give that a try. Either way, here it is now. 
 

Things I did different. 
1) run new line through all eyes on rod (all just bc I wanted to)

2) spool tension stayed the same. Very, very, very little play. It actually just may be my fingers moving. So, that is/was tight

3) switched out line

4) ran line through microfiber cloth sprayed with line conditioner, while “pushing down” on the line to get into the small part of the level wind

 

New spooling now

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, Rockhopper said:

Cast it a couple times.  Everything will work itself out.

Didn't work for me.  I posted a few years ago about my T3 MX (spooled with fluorocarbon when I bought it).  Left hand reel and line built up on left side upon retrieve.  Checked out ideas (that I could do on my own) offered in that thread.  None worked for me.

 

I would make a cast and use my finger on the retrieve to get the line even on the spool.  Make another cast, retrieve, and line built up on left side again.  I've yet to send it to a professional given that I have about 20 more reels than rods.

 

I've wondered if new line would help, but being somewhat frugal, I'd hate to throw away a perfectly good spool of fluorocarbon line.  Would be cheaper than sending the reel out....if it worked.

[Smirak]

Don’t throw the line away. At the very least, wind it up on an empty Coke bottle. I put a screw through the top of a 20oz bottle and drilled it in my drill. 

[WRB]

Sounds like a level wind worm gear pawl issue. Replace the gear and pawl.

Tom

 

[Smirak]

Went out to the backyard and threw it around some. First fast, huge birdsnest. “What the heck?” Oh dummy, check the brakes (new reel). They was on zero. Dialed it in and it’s a dream now. I LOVE the handle on that MB Orochi. 

[DaveT63]

5 hours ago, Smirak said:

Ok. Thanks to all of you, here it is now. I had to run pick up a spool of Suffix 832. I normally use tactx, but when respooling, I’m switching over to 832. For domestic, I like it. Will order some J Braid sometime and give that a try. Either way, here it is now. 
 

Things I did different. 
1) run new line through all eyes on rod (all just bc I wanted to)

2) spool tension stayed the same. Very, very, very little play. It actually just may be my fingers moving. So, that is/was tight

3) switched out line

4) ran line through microfiber cloth sprayed with line conditioner, while “pushing down” on the line to get into the small part of the level wind

 

New spooling now

If I'm not mistaken, your line should be coming into the T-Wing, UNDER that cross bar, or whatever you call that horizontal rod in the reel, and onto the spool.  It looks like it is contacting and riding over it.

 

Dave

[Smirak]

Hmmm…I’m not sure as this is my first one. I went and looked at it. Must be the angle of the shot. Thumb bar engaged or not, the line does not make contact with that bar. I know for certain if it went under that bar, it would be contacting the bar. 

[Bigbox99]

On 12/6/2024 at 8:58 PM, DaveT63 said:

If I'm not mistaken, your line should be coming into the T-Wing, UNDER that cross bar, or whatever you call that horizontal rod in the reel, and onto the spool.  It looks like it is contacting and riding over it.

 

Dave

It's supposed to be over that bar.

[Smirak]

6 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

It's supposed to be over that bar.

Thanks @Bigbox99 for the clarification. My son is going to college next year for physics (waiting to see who offers the most money - stupid smart kid). He tried explaining to me. I was lucky enough to catch the words reel and spool. From there, it was over.