Twists in a line cause terrible tangles around the eyes of the fishing rod making it difficult especially because it can cause the fish not to bite firmly. As a result, putting a line on your spinning reel is a skill you will need to make your day-to-day fishing activities a success.
As you ponder over this matter, the idea is not to merely get the line on the reel but do so perfectly without having any twist. This is key if you are looking forward to having a fruitful fishing day. If you are having trouble in this area, here is how to put a line on a spinning reel without the twist.
Steps For Putting a Line on a Spinning Reel
Step #1: Check Your Fishing Line Outfit
So, let’s get started by putting a line on a spinning reel. To address the issues of line twists, make sure that you have a well-balanced fishing outfit.
Otherwise, you will endeavor to fix the line in vain. Once this is set, you can rest assured that any other twists will be as a result of improper loading and this is what we go over in this article.
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Step #2: Make a Firm Knot on Your Spinning Reel
To start off this process, run the end of your fishing line through the guides and carefully wrap the tag end on the spool twice. After that, make a knot in the tag end wrapped around the mainline coming through to the reel spool.
You will also need an over-hand knot sliding down to rest slightly above the initial knot in the tag end. Secure the knot by tightly pulling it.
When trimming the tag end, make sure about ¼ inch of the mainline is left above the last knot so that it does not loosen.
Step #3: Establish Your Spinning Direction
If you want to spool a line on your spinning reel with no twists, hold your reel in a downward position and then push a tube against the reel’s hub.
The tube is supposed to secure your line in the desired position. Slowly, spin the reel to be able to know the direction in which it moves.
It could be clockwise or counterclockwise. To get this right, make sure that your fishing line spool is lain flat to help the line unwind in the direction of the spinning reel.
This means that your line should unwind from the spool in a clockwise manner when the reel winds clockwise.
Step #4: Turning Your Reel
Once you have established the direction of your spin, it is time to turn your reel making use of the knots that you made in Step 2 above.
Be sure to turn gradually while using your cranking hand. Some tension may be applied by passing your fishing line between your casting hand fingers.
While the filler spool lays on a flat surface, direct the line spool from it directly onto the reel.
To excel in putting a line on a spinning reel devoid of any twist, how you turn your reel is very vital.
Step #5: Make Periodic Checks on The Line
Make sure that the line is being fed on the reel spool in the same manner in which it comes off the filler spool.
All the same, you will have to slacken your line in order to check for twists.
Check whether the line un-spoons out of the reel spool to find out if there is a twist. In this case, peel off your fishing line and flip the filler spool over and begin all over again.
Regularly checking for twists after a number of cranks is also an essential aspect of having a perfect roll.
Step #6: Fill Your Reel Spool To The Proper Level
Your spool may have a mark that shows you when you have reached the proper level. If not, it is recommended to fill it up to within 3mm of the rim.
An under-filled reel leads to shorter casts due to the friction between the mainline and the top flange of your reel spool.
On the other hand, an over-filled spool may slip over the flange due to wetness causing a backlash during casting.
Lastly, cut off the main line from the filler spool.
5 Useful Tips to Avoid Line Twists When Casting Your Line and While Retrieving the Fish
You probably could be wondering whether that is all you need to do.
Well, if you are still struggling in your efforts to load your line on a spinning reel without having twists on it, consider the following tips.
1. Avoid Big Swivels
When putting your fishing line on a spinning reel, avoid big swivels. Ideally, the swivel diameter for your wire must be almost the same as that of the mainline on the reel.
A large swivel will not produce the sufficient torque needed to turn it. Most importantly, make sure that your swivel has high-quality ball-bearings to make it smooth.
Lastly, don’t use your swivel as a stopper but instead, keep your sinker in position using the correct size of the swivel with either a plastic or glass bead between the swivel and the mainline.
2. Keep it Free of Twists
Retrieve your line gradually using a speed that your swivel can manage. Retrieving too fast will certainly twist the line right into the reel.
Learning how to spool your line on a spinning reel and keep it free of twists will require you to test the speed of retrieval prior to casting.
You will definitely need different tests for different locations in order to get your retrievals correctly.
As you do retrievals along the banks, make them horizontal to the bank and watch out for the best action.
3. Be Attentive To The Feel
Look out for snagged debris as you retrieve your line following each cast.
Be attentive to the feel you will get from each of your retrievals while at the same time keeping your eye on the tip of the fishing rod.
Debris will cause your line to spin widely and lead to twists.
4. Don’t Turn Your Reel
Don’t turn your reel when there is a fish running. Reeling against the drag of a fish that is taking the line out will definitely lead to twists as you put the line back.
5. Make Use of Your Hand To Engage The Bail Automatically
As you prepare to make retrievals, your index finger of the line on the rod should get hold of the line between the rod and your finger.
Your other free hand should be used to manually close on your bail and spin the handle to get the fishing line on the roller of the bail. Only then can you start retrieving your line.
This is a sure way of spooling your line on a spinning reel without making any twist. Using the handle to engage the bail will largely increase twists.
There you have it. This is a proven approach to put your fishing line on a spinning reel without having any twists. This may seem like a lot of information, but getting the basics down is a major part of having an amazing fishing experience.
Once you get the hang of it, all of this will come naturally. If you are having any other trouble, take a look at any of our other articles or comment below.