loops on spinning reel spool

[yossarian]

I have a 4'6" UL ugly stick that I have had for 10 years or so, purchased as a combo with an appropriate sized Shakespeare reel.  I recently replaced the shakespeare reel with an inexpensive BPS UL reel.  I feel like I am experiencing a higher than normal occurence of loops on my spool.  I assume that this is caused by line twist, and I am doing what I can to prevent that (closing bail by hand, drawing line tight to bail, trying to make sure that line goes on spool properly at initial spooling, letting line drag behing canoe periodically)

Sunday it caused me great consternation because of the frequency.  Do you pros have any input as two what I can do?  Is it a guarantee that I spooled the line improperly (just done the night before)?  Is it just a fact that an inexpensive spinning reel will do this more often than a higher quality one?

Please help me with this, as this is the primary set-up I use for the upcoming trout season.

[roadwarrior]

Possible problems:

1.  Spooled on backwards, creating twist

2.  Over spooled

3.  Line is too heavy

Any of these or some combination will reek havoc!

8-)

[yossarian]

Thanks, I definitly think oversspooling may have been one issue.  I was using the second of two spools filled and it likely had the extra few yards off a new line spool that always seems to go to waste.

Line weight should not have been an issue, as it was only 4# test.

I tried to keep an eye on the spool holder I enlisted to help, but if I yell at my wife about properly holding the line, she gets upset.  

Who am I kidding, I am just trying to justify the monkey on my back who keeps telling me to buy a new UL Reel for trout season.

[21farms]

something that threw me for a loop   ha-ha with one of my new spinning reels (daiwa) was that the instructions were to spool the line on with the line coming off the bottom of the spool. back in the old days, it was either the opposite or lay the spool flat on its side. did your instructions specify a specific way to spool it?

[Stasher1]

Thanks, I definitly think oversspooling may have been one issue.  I was using the second of two spools filled and it likely had the extra few yards off a new line spool that always seems to go to waste.

Line weight should not have been an issue, as it was only 4# test.

I tried to keep an eye on the spool holder I enlisted to help, but if I yell at my wife about properly holding the line, she gets upset.  

Who am I kidding, I am just trying to justify the monkey on my back who keeps telling me to buy a new UL Reel for trout season.

I don't where you are in Atl., but the Sports Authority next to the Northlake Mall had a couple Daiwa Regal 1000's on clearance last time I was there. They had them marked down to $29.97 with an additional 30% off. That's a great deal on a very nice little reel.

[yossarian]

something that threw me for a loop ha-ha with one of my new spinning reels (daiwa) was that the instructions were to spool the line on with the line coming off the bottom of the spool. back in the old days, it was either the opposite or lay the spool flat on its side. did your instructions specify a specific way to spool it?

Instructions?  you must be confusing me with the more intelligent gender.  Just kidding, I did not refer to the reel manufacturer instructions, if I even have them.  

Your response certainly raises the question of how to spool a spinning reel.  Today I have read, on this very site:

line off the bottom - assuming I am looking at the narrow edge of the spool

Line off spool Counter clockwise - assuming I am looking at the wide side of the spool (and my kids can maintain proper pencil holding technique)

supply Spool on floor - coming off in some specific direction?

Do those line spooling tools make this agonizing riddle any more clear or easy? (was that a monkey voice in my head?)

Oh, to answer your question, I believe I had my wife holding the supply spool so that the line came off counter clockwise from my perspective at the business end.

[yossarian]

Thanks, I definitly think oversspooling may have been one issue. I was using the second of two spools filled and it likely had the extra few yards off a new line spool that always seems to go to waste.

Line weight should not have been an issue, as it was only 4# test.

I tried to keep an eye on the spool holder I enlisted to help, but if I yell at my wife about properly holding the line, she gets upset.

Who am I kidding, I am just trying to justify the monkey on my back who keeps telling me to buy a new UL Reel for trout season.

I don't where you are in Atl., but the Sports Authority next to the Northlake Mall had a couple Daiwa Regal 1000's on clearance last time I was there. They had them marked down to $29.97 with an additional 30% off. That's a great deal on a very nice little reel.

Thanks for the heads up, and d**n if I wans't just up at perimeter yesterday, and did not even think of stopping at SA.  May have to check out that deel.

[Sam]

Roadwarrior is correct. But here are a few extra tips.

1.  Spool line on spinning reel either counter clockwise or from the bottom of the spool.

2.  Wet a wash cloth with Kevin VanDam's Lure and Line Conditioner or a 100% silicone spray and run your line through the wet spot, wetting the cloth a number of times to keep the spot soaked.

After you have spooled your reel, give the line a few sprays from the top and bottom with the Lure and Line Conditioner.

3.  Do not overspool your reel.  There is no reason to have all that extra line on an ultra-light so leave at least a quater inch from the top of the spool.

4.  Use a barrel swivel on your setups.  This will help reduce line twist.

Otherwise, you are doing fine.  Just go out and give it another shot.  

[tyrius.]

One other thing to think about is the type of lure being used.  An in-line spinner will twist line like no one's business.  It is a good idea to use a barrell swivel in front of them.  Other lures can spin on the retreive so think about the type of lure being used.

[Grey Wolf]

Oh heck just go buy your self a better reel!!!!!!!!!!

[Certified Public Angler]

another possible problem could be that your bait is spinning on retrieval or if you are a newbie like me you tried to troll a bait that wasn't meant for it behind the boat.  The twist up the line and really makes a mess.

[yossarian]

Thanks everyone, I will have to try a variety of things.

[21farms]

just one more thought as i just now remembered this.

i've heard at least two pros recommend larger size spinning reels as the larger spool is less prone to line twist. since your new reel is ultra light, it must have a tiny spool. i think there's some truth in this as i've had three daiwa regals XiAsone in the 2000 size, one in the 2500 size and one in the 3000 sizeand, sure enough, i got the most line twist on the 2000 size one (the smallest).

[Raul]

just one more thought as i just now remembered this.

i've heard at least two pros recommend larger size spinning reels as the larger spool is less prone to line twist.

Or a shallow spool reel.  

[yossarian]

It is definitely a small spool, not necessarily shallow for it's size.

[Raul]

It is definitely a small spool, not necessarily shallow for it's size.

Shallow spools are not small, shallow spools are regular spool size but with a wider core.  

[bilgerat]

Here's some suggestions (I fish ul a lot, these work!)

1) If you don't have a boat to let the line all of the way out to work out the loops, find a large area such as a park or a ballfield. Open the bail, lay the rod down (or have a buddy hold it for you) and walk out all of the line. Now reel the line back in with tension applied with your thumb and forefinger This is also a good time to apply line conditioner. By spooling your reel this way, the twists and coils will work themselves out.

2) Get in the habit of manually closing the bail AFTER EACH CAST!! Use your thumb and forefinger to put a little tension on the line at the beginning of the retrieve to avoid the first few wraps from being too loose. IMO, snapping the bail shut by turning the handle is the cause of most spinning reel line troubles. Good luck.