How to Spool a Spinning Reel: Step by Step

Before you start

Missouri says to follow the instructions that come with the reel and line, since most spools of line carry suggestions on how to avoid line twist. Check how much line the reel holds: New York DEC pairs a starter rod with a reel that holds 80 to 150 yards of 8 pound monofilament, and Missouri says to check the reel or its instructions for how much 8 pound test it will hold. Reel and line ratings are explained in fishing line pound test.

Spool the reel

1. Open the bail and thread the guides. Outdoor Alabama says the bail must be open before line is brought from the reel to the guides. Thread the line through all of the rod’s line guides, around the spool and back out. Missouri says to thread the line through the spool cap or under the bail to start.
2. Tie an arbor knot. South Carolina DNR’s version: loop the line around the reel spool (the arbor). Tie an overhand knot around the main, standing line to form a loose slip knot. Tie a second overhand knot in the free, tag end. Wet the line, cinch the tag-end knot tight, trim the excess line and cinch down the first overhand knot on the reel. Texas Parks & Wildlife’s version is the same four moves without wetting the line. More step lists are in fishing knots.
3. Wind the line on without twist. Outdoor Alabama says the line should come off the line spool in the same manner as it is going onto the reel. When twists develop, flip the supply spool until the twisting stops, then flip it back. New York DEC notes that tangles form when line has been put on the reel incorrectly, or when you reel in loose line.
4. Keep knots out of the line. Missouri says not to allow knots in your line except at the end, because knots weaken line and make it difficult to cast.
5. Stop short of the rim. New York DEC says to leave 1/8 inch of space from the edge of the spool for best casting. Missouri’s intro guide says the reel is full at about 1/8 inch from the outside edge, and its web page says about 1/16 inch.
6. Set the drag. Missouri says to set the drag before fishing so it releases line before the breaking point is reached. New York DEC recommends about 25% less than the line’s pound test. Details are in how to set up a fishing rod.

Keep the line from twisting later

New York DEC gives three habits for spinning reels. After a cast, flip the bail over by hand instead of using the reel handle, then grab the line just above the reel and give it a slight tug before you start reeling, which removes loops before they start. Do not try to untangle line by casting when you see a loop. If the line keeps twisting, it is time to put new line on the reel.

Fresh line and line memory

• Pre-spooled reels. New York DEC says to put fresh line on a reel that comes pre-spooled with line.
• Memory. Oklahoma DWC says monofilament has a lot of line memory when it sits on a reel. Unscrew the drag clip, pop the spool off the reel and hold it under warm to hot running water, rotating it so all the line gets contact with the water.
• Choose the line first. Compare monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid in mono vs fluoro vs braid.