Mike Iaconelli on spinning reel line twist

[The Rooster]

I read recently that Mike Iaconelli says that cranking a spinning reel bail closed contributes to line twist.  He says you should always flip it closed manually by hand instead of using the crank to shut it.  

Is this a proven fact or is it open to debate??  Cause I have line twist sometimes and I crank mine shut.  After reading that I'm wondering if that's some of the reason why.

[burleytog]

Yes, it makes a difference.  Take the extra half second to close the bail by hand.  After a week or so you'll never even notice.

[Wayne P.]

It doesn't cause line twist; it results in the dreaded tangle during a cast. The bail slapping the line when it closes causes a piece of slack line in the form of a small loop on the spool that is exaggerated when the next cast is made. Line twist is caused by spinning lures, the change of direction that the line makes as it is wound on the spool perpendicular to the rod, or reeling against a slipping drag.

Closing the bail by hand with the line under tension will prevent the tangle from happening.

[Grey Wolf]

It does help to eliminate some of the problems related to spinning reels. It is a wise choice to learn to do it.

[grimlin]

I've closed the bail for as long as i can remember.I just hate the feel of closing the bail while reeling.Doesn't that wear out the bearing(if any) in a bail and helps prolong if closed manually.I imagine closing it manually helps keeping your reel lasting longer.

[Gannoli]

yeah i think closing the real by hand, maintains the general quality of the real and makes it stay smooth.

[hawkeyefish]

I think Ike is right on the money.  It only takes a second to do it too.

[islandbass]

Yep, Ike is spot on on that.  That however is half the battle. As already mentioned by Wayne P., the angler must ensure that there is no slack in the line before the retrieve begins. That is that key to minimizing any line foul ups with spinning gear.

[.dsaavedra.]

yeah it does reduce messy line tangles.

there are a few reasons why i like closing it by hand:

1. reduces line tangle.

2. if you put your hand in place to close the bail early, you can feather the line w/ your palm as its coming off the spool to make more accurage casts.

3. its much easier on the reel than cranking it shut.

[Sam]

Mono and Fluoro lines will have "line twist" as you use it during the day.

The pros have to respool their spinning reels every evening to remove the line twist.

Braid does not have any line twist but using braid with a spinning setup can be disastrous if you do not have the correct rod power or powerful spinning reel.  If you do use braid try to find one that has a two (2) or four (4) pound diameter.

And yes, not only close the bail with your hand but pull on the line to make it tight when starting to reel in the slack after each cast.

For spinning rigs, usually an eight (8) pound test, or maybe a 10 pound test at the most, is the maximum test to use.  Eight (8) pound fluoro is a favorite line test to use for spinning reel applications.

Ike also says to spool your line in the opposite direction and run it through a wet washcloth soaked with a line conditioner.  You spray the washcloth to create a wet spot with the line conditioner and run the line through it when spooling your spinning reels.

Ike suggests a 2500 size spinning reel which I use, although I have some 2000 models that perform excellent with six (6) to eight (8) pound test. I usuqlly use six (6) pound test on the 2000 reels.

Remember, by throwing your bail with your hand you are also prolonging the life of your spinning reel.

Now go out and catch something by pitching and flipping!!! ;D

[The Rooster]

Hey, what are you talking about spooling your line in the opposite direction??  I have tried spooling with the label up on the roll, and then with the label down.  Sometimes it works better one way but not the next time.  Don't know why.  Now I have started doing it the same as I do for a baitcaster, rolling off of the spool and onto the reel.  More recently, I've decided to start letting the local tackle shop do it for me since it's so cheap and they have a machine to do it.  

And I took my new reels fishing today and made sure to close the bail by hand.  I think I like it.  Gonna start doing it.  

[Sam]

Hi Roostertail,

Nice having you respond to my post.

Ike says to spool the line on a spinning reel counterclockwise since the line comes off the reel in a clockwise manner.

And I have spooled the line in both ways, plus turning the spool over every ten (10) to twelve (12) turns.

So what happens?  Line twist no matter which way I spool my line, especially if I am using a Roostertail or grub or something that spins.

I have found that the KVD Line and Lure Conditioner works great. After running the fresh line through the wet spot on a washcloth, I spray the line on the spool a few times to soak it.

Then, during the day, I soak the line on the reel as I am fishing.  This seems to help keep the line soft and reduces line twist.

I would think that anyone that invents a mono or flouro that does not twist will be a very rich person.  

[The Rooster]

Does that not make the line greasy feeling??  Like Armor All on a car dash??

[Wayne P.]

Sam, braid twists as much as any other line using the same lures and reels, it just isn't affected as much.

In your second post, "I would think that anyone that invents a mono or flouro that does not twist will be a very rich person." It has nothing to do with the line itself, it's all about the application that creats the twist.

The only way to reduce twist is the use a good quality swivel as part of the terminal tackle so the line won't be twisted during the retrieve.

Line twist occurs on baitcasting gear also when the lure spins, that is one of the reasons you need to rig a Tx rig worm straight.

[KvD]

i baught his finesse dvd at bass pro for $10 and he also says this in the video... ive always shut mine by hand so its nothing new to me...

alex

[Sam]

Roostertail, no, the line is not greasy. It is nice and soft. Give it a try.

Wayne P., thanks for the update.  I agree with what you say and a BARREL swivel is the way to go to help minimize line twist.

And yes, your spinning reel's mechanics cause the line twist.  But if you could invent a line that would not twist and curl you will be a rich guy.

I have never had braid twist on me.  I must be doing something wrong.  

[Garnet]

You should have the line pinned to the rod when the bait hits the water. I crank the reel to take the line off it's pinned position or manualy close bail.

Don't crank handle when drag is slipping.

Play the fish as much as possibly with rod length and wrist movement.

You will still get the odd loop. Do not wait for the next cast (unless you are hookedup). Do not pull line off straight up the blank. Pull the line off as close to right angle as possible keeping that loop on the spool as long as possible.

Garnet

[The Rooster]

Whenever I get that stray loop in my spool like that, I just strip line off the reel right there at the reel until I pull it out. Then hold tight the line and reel it all back in. I change my line several times during the year anyway, so line twist is not that worrysome to me but starting to close the bail by hand may get me out of changing it at least one time this year. I'm going to try some of that KVD line conditioner.  I'm also gonna have the local tackle shop put my line on for me from now on so I'll have to just spray it on the spool after they do that.  Won't penetrate as well, I know, but it's better than nothing.  The tackle shop can spool it cheaper than I can buy it and do it, and I'm getting the same line.

[Garnet]

By keeping  the loop on your reel as long as possible when the loop comes off it will be very small and easliy untangled, if the loop comes off early you will have 3 pieces of line twisting into a gaint mess, just cut and start over.

Garnet