Spinning reels and line twist

[jaymc]

For the past 15 years I've been fishing almost exclusively with a fly rod, but age is catching up with me.  I've got a bad disc in my neck and it really takes the fun out of fly casting.  Anyways, I haven't bought a new spinning reel in at least 15 years.  I note that all the manufacturers say they have anti-line twist gizmos.

Do any of them work?  

[Tpayneful]

I have heard that closing the bail with your hand, not the handle will solve line twist but it hasn't for me.  

The only thing that I have found that solves line twist is a swivel between the reel and the lure.

The wide spools from US reel and Extreme, Johnny Morris at BPS are supposed to solve some line twist issues.  I plan to buy one this year and find out.

[surfer]

Briaded line will greatly decrease your line twists, but ther e are trade offs.

[burleytog]

Closing the bail by hand will eliminate a good 50-60% of twisting issues.

[jaymc]

Closing the bail by hand will eliminate a good 50-60% of twisting issues.

I've always done that and never really thought about why I did it.  I flipm the bail closed with my left hand and at the same time pull the line into pick up slot with my right.  then I take a couple of turns until I feel the weight of the lure.

[Garnet]

If you turn the handle when the drag is pulling you create line twist.

It's a nature of the beast thing.

Garnet

[brophog]

I don't put much faith in gizmos. Just buy quality reels, and imo, don't worry about it too much.

Twisting in spinning reels is like backlashes in baitcasters.......feared more than they ought to be. It really isn't a big deal, imo.

[ABC123]

Line twist comes from casting, not reeling in, so the anti-line twist gizmos are just that...sort of. The twist happens becouse line is being peeled off the spool, unlike a baitcaster where it is unrolled. The only true way to nearly eliminate the problems caused by the twist or coiling, is a good swivel. The new rollers and guides they put on the bails do help some, but not that much. Another aid in helping to reduce problems with line twist is to use line with less memory, like braid or limp mono. Line with lower memory retains less of the coil as it is being peeled off the spool, this in turn, helps to reduce the problems associated with the coiling.

[OldGuyAl]

I fish a great deal with spinning rods/reels in sizes from UL up to MH rods with reels (all Shimano; mostly Stradics) in 750, 1000, 2500, and 4000.

I've tied lots of different lines looking for that one perfect line - haven't found it yet.

Anyway, braid does not seem to have twist problems and I like it a lot but I don't use it for everything because of my concerns with visibility (which not everyone agrees about).   Closing the bail by hand, using a swivel, never reel against the drag, etc. all help but nothing cures line twist in mono, flouro, or hybrids completely.

I tend to think of the line on my spinning reels like gas in my car - you eventually use it up and need some more.  ;-)

Also, I fish a lot of wacky rigs, finesse worms, weightless Senkos, and other kinds of baits that tend to spin on the retrieves - it's just going to twist the line and there's nothing you can do about it other than be prepared.  

Never overspool your reel!  If you put more line on the reel than you should, all that extra line is going to come home with you in your back pocket.

You might want to use some line conditioner spray, also.  It does help a bit.   Also, keep the lip of your spools very clean - same thing goes for your guides on your rod.  Dried up pond gunk can catch on the line and create some problems for you.

Spinning reel lines need to be of the very limp variety - lots of stiff lines like some flouro and hybrids will just "slinky" right off the reel - much, much worse with smaller diameter spools.

Experiment!  It's not cheap but I know of no other way to figure out what you will like.   I use Trilene XL as my "base" against which I measure my satisfaction.   XL always works very well until it gets twisted.

BTW - use ratings that are compatible with both your rod and your reel.   I use 2lb. on my UL and never go above 12lb on my 4000.  Mostly, I use 4, 6, and 8lb on my 1000 and my 2500.  Yes, as a matter of fact, I have lost a couple of very large bass on those lighter lines but I catch a lot more than I lose and I still got to play those big fish for a little while before they broke off so, I'm a happy guy.  ;-)

[Jig Man]

The only time I have any line twist if when I fish tubes or drop shot.  Both of those tend to roll over when retrieved with any speed.

Line twist hasn't been an issue for me since I started using good quality Shimano reels.  I think the roller bearing and assembly has a lot to do with it.

[surfer]

Nice write up OldGuy.  

The only thing I would like to add is once your line is twisted and giving you problems cut the lure off and troll the entire line behind the boat for a few minutes then reel it back in.  This will allow the line to untwist.  

[roadwarrior]

The Shimano Stradic FI was awarded ICAST "Best In Class,"

for freshwater reels. The new and improved Propulsion Line

Management and Aero Wrap II virtually elimininates line twist.

Many of the features incorporated in the new Stradic series were

previously available only in the Stella reels.

Shimano has taken spinning reel technology to a higher level.

The "Reel Of The Future" in available now. The Shamano Stradic

2500FI is the "Best Value" in today's market. The other manufactures

have no comparable reel at this pricing point.

http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302053096&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1201268278934

8-)