Reducing Line Twist

[zenyoungkoh]

Hi everyone, I just changed the 6lb mono line on my reel to a 8lb mono because whenever i set the hook on a fish, the drag lets line go and result in a badly set hook. (I set the drag on my reel for 2.5 lb.) so i changed to a 8lb line and now set the drag at 4lb. Sometimes i decrease the drag when the fish feels really big or my rod is bending at a extreme angle. My rod is medium action 6-12 lb line Anyways I went fishing today and got a nest of tangles for every 10 cast. I spool my reel in the same direction as the line unravels from the line spool. Untangling line is mother******* frustrating!!!! I've heard about running hot water on the spool for a 2 minute. I just did it, and hopefully it solves the problem, but i'll find out the coming tuesday. Can some basser give me some advice on reducing line twist?

ps. im not sure if im overspooling so i took some pictures of my spool.

[Bluebasser86]

It's not overspooled at all, I'd say you could use more line if anything but that's a different thing completely. Do you close the bail by hand or turn the reel handle to close it? If you turn the reel handle that will cause a tiny about of twist everytime you close the bail, eventually a big ball of line is going to jump off your reel on the cast. Always close the bail by hand, once you get used to doing it you won't even have to think about it. What brand/type line are you using? Using a good quality, soft line will help line twists a lot. What baits do you usually use? Some baits cause line twists that adding a small ball bearing swivel about 18" above your bait will fix.

[zenyoungkoh]

I use trilene big game 8lb 0.011" dia in clear. Does ball bearing swivel reduce sensitivity of bites? I use mostly grubs, worms, craw. i turn the handle down with my hand all the time. Will rinsing the spool in hot water help? or maybe add lubricant?

[zenyoungkoh]

I think i should add its more of a line memory thing.

[SirSnookalot]

Hot water will not take line twist, it will make your line limper and manage better. You need to troll the twist, behind a boat, or a running stream,hooking 1 end to a fence and reeling back while holding the line tight between your fingers, some do it by walking it thru the grass, I never tried that. I do see lots of twist in the photo. Once you have no twist try a good quality swivel and leader, that may help for the future.

The difference in drag setting between 8 and 6# test is very slight.

Hand closing the bail is a good idea just from a wear and tear standpoint and prevent the line to loop before reeling, it has nothing to with line twist, the twist is caused by reeling and a bait like a fluke or spoon spinning around, normal on spinning gear.

[Bluebasser86]

I would try a different line, Big game is good line for a baitcaster but it does tend to have a lot of memory to be used on a spinning reel. That's just my personal feelings on it though. I've never heard of running warm water on the line but it makes sense, like putting bent plastics into warm water to help straighten them out. A swivel will not interfer with sensitivity much if at all.

[boystcroix]

Use Trilene XL and get it somewhere where they have a linewinding machine. Its the best way to put line on a spinning reel because the spool is removed and the line wound on straight .

[new2BC4bass]

This probably doesn't need to be said, but do you continue to reel in while a fish is pulling out line? Don't!

I personally don't like setting my drags light on spinning reels. I always lock them down and back turn whenever I feel it may be necessary. Can't recall ever losing a fish due to broken line while fighting it or breaking the line on hookset. This was with 4-8# line. Mostly 4#. Landed a 10# carp on 4# line set up this way and a 35# one on 8# line.

[NBR]

A big cause of line twist is reeling as the drag is slipping and when battling a fish your are apt to be unaware of the drag slipping.

[deep]

Agree with what everyone else said. I'd never use anything stronger than 6 lb test (except braid of course) on my spinning rigs. KVD L & L also helps. Personally I like to set the drag as tight as I can without damaging the washers.

[zenyoungkoh]

thanks and no i dont reel in when fish is fighting. I am not causing the line twist. I think its the memory of the line. because when i first used the 6 lb line, i always got tangles every 10 cast too. Then over time, the tangle stopped. This 8lb line is new and spooled right. The direction of line coming off the spool is the same as the direction going on it. Is there a way to speed up the line's memory loss?

[Sam]

When spooling line on a spinning reel:

1. Consider purchasing the Berkley Portable Line Spooling Station setup for around $30.

2. If you do not have the Portable Spooling Station place spool on the floor with lable showing.

3. Get a washcloth and spray it to create a "wet spot" with Kevin VanDam's Lure and Line Conditioner or PURE silicone. Do not use your mother's, girlfriend's or a good washcloth unless you can sneak it into the wash without them knowing you are using it.

4. Run line through the "wet spot" via your thumb and forefinger keeping tension on the line as you spool it onto the spinning reel.

5. Spray the line from time to time on the spool, i.e. every 10 to 15 turns with the application.

6. If the line starts to twist turn the spool over and continue spooling.

7. After you have completed spooling the line, take the rig outside and cast it as far as you can.

8. Usining your fingers, spool the line back on the reel so that it is snug but not tight. You can run it through the "wet spot" once again.

9. After a day of fishing your spinning rig, tie the bait end to a stationary object, walk away, pull the line tight and then respool running the line through the "wet spot" on a washcloth. If possible, after you have pulled the line tight a few times, go back and untie the line and let it lay limp on the ground when you respool it.

10. Do not overspool line.

11. If you get line twist while fishing, do what the pros do...DO NOT OPEN THE BAIL!!! Loosen the drag and pull the line off the bait caster with the bail closed until you pull the line twist out.

If the line twist is too severe, you will have to cut it out and re-rig.

12. Bring some of the silicone or Lure and Line Conidtioner with you when fishing and spray it onto the line from time to time.

13. As stated above, a barrel swivel 18 inches up from your bait can help reduce, but not eliminate, line twist.

14. Make sure your line is fresh. You can always use old line as a backing and put about 60 yards of new line onto the spinning rig to help save costs of purchasing new line. But fresh line is the best if you can afford it.

15. After storing your spinning reel for a few weeks, the line will have serious memory problems so to outside and tie the line to a stationary object, walk it almost off the spool and pull on it hard a few times and then respool through the "wet spot" on a wash cloth after untieing the line so that it can "twist" freely as you spool it back on the reel.

Line twist in a spinning rig is normal and it happens to all of us.

And you thought fishing with a spinning rig was easy!!!!

[Cavfirst]

Excellent advise by all one thing that helped me some is of course making it a habit to close the bail by hand each and every time I cast and sticking your index finger out and leting the line hit it as it goes on to the reel for the first few turns of the spool after a cast it puts alittle tension on the line reducing line twist.

[joshholmes]

the reason is your cheap reel. i used that reel when i was eight because it came with a rod and kit and costed only 20.00 but it stunk. its a horrible reel with only 1 bearing and a bad drag

[zenyoungkoh]

the reason is your cheap reel. i used that reel when i was eight because it came with a rod and kit and costed only 20.00 but it stunk. its a horrible reel with only 1 bearing and a bad drag

nah, its a cheap reel but it aint horrible. I got it in a combo for $30 couple month ago. It worked pretty well since i got it. Im pretty sure its the line's problem because the first time i used fresh mono line, i had the same problem. I might get an upgrade in 6 month or mayybe a year. so please dont tell me to change my reel because of a temporary line problem.

[steezy]

Load Braid on that spinning reel and you will have 0 line twists.

[SirSnookalot]

I would not belittle someone else's equipment, people use what they can afford or are comfortable with.

Memory and line twist are 2 different issues. Memory is an easy problem to solve using the warm water method, some guys just stick the spool in a bucket of freshwater. Swivels help for sure, but a quality ball bearing swivel is even better but it is not a cure all, twist still can happen. Line twist on braid is very common with spinning gear or conventional gear, however most people here don't fish with lures or techniques that will cause it. I have braid twist on a number of reels, either from offshore drift fishing where cut or live bait is always revolving or when trolling or casting certain lures that revolve a lot, like spoons and surgical tubes.

[zenyoungkoh]

I would not belittle someone else's equipment, people use what they can afford or are comfortable with.

Memory and line twist are 2 different issues. Memory is an easy problem to solve using the warm water method, some guys just stick the spool in a bucket of freshwater. Swivels help for sure, but a quality ball bearing swivel is even better but it is not a cure all, twist still can happen. Line twist on braid is very common with spinning gear or conventional gear, however most people here don't fish with lures or techniques that will cause it. I have braid twist on a number of reels, either from offshore drift fishing where cut or live bait is always revolving or when trolling or casting certain lures that revolve a lot, like spoons and surgical tubes.

Finally a post that addresses my line memory issue!! Thank you!!!

[joshholmes]

im sorry zen i didn't want to be mean when i said that it was a cheap reel. the rod that comes with it works surprisingly well for the price. it works well for the price its just that i had a bad experience with it.

[fishingkidPA]

the reason is your cheap reel. i used that reel when i was eight because it came with a rod and kit and costed only 20.00 but it stunk. its a horrible reel with only 1 bearing and a bad drag

I think the gear is a small problem. I usually fish with a higher end Abu Spinning reel, when i fish spinning outfits. Recently i picked up a $25 Diawa D-shock series combo for my little brother to get into fishing. I brought it once or twice to see it works, i am actually a fan of it. Even though its cheap, maybe a little less smooth, it still catches me as many fish as my Abu and BC's. With this though, i am just not as afraid to give it some abuse. I dont lose much money say if i dropped it in a river etc. Keep fishing zen

[Hyrule Bass]

the best way to get rid of line memory is to just use your reel and deal with it, a couple trips or one decent trip of fishing and catching and it wont be a problem at all unless you let it sit for awhile without using it...