How To Spool A Fishing Line Onto A Reel
January 1st, 2010 | Fly Fishing News | No Comments »If you are thinking about a fresh spool of line, the biggest question is usually whether to purchase a pre-wrapped spool and do it yourself or stop at a local bait and tackle shop and have them spool one for you. The solution to this problem is actually quite easy: allow a professional to spool the line onto your reel whenever possible.
There’s little doubt that doing this will cost you slightly more money, but what it can save in aggravation will surely make up for it. Stop and consider the risks – line twist, bad tension, not enough or too much line – and it’s not hard to see why a professionally wrapped spool wins every time.
That said, you can buy filler spools in a wide variety of lengths, from as large as 300 yards to as small as 125 yards. Each reel is unique, and, depending on the size line you are utilizing, will hold different lengths. Consequently, it becomes nearly unavoidable to wind up with either too much or too little line in your reel, a real disaster. This problem causes additional problems, and soon your reel will not function at all.
One day, you are apt to find yourself in a situation where filling your reel becomes a requirement instead of a choice. At this point, there are some easy steps to follow. They can spell the difference between effectively filling your reel and seeing your reel fall short at a most inconvenient time.
Anyone who has ever wound their own line has dealt with the frustration of twisted line. Twisted line is easily avoided if line is professionally rolled, but you can also prevent it when you’re attempting to wind your own line at home. With a can and a pencil you can create a spool holder that will help you wind your line. Simply drill holes into the sides of the can, push a pencil (or thin stick) through the holes with your spool on it and you’ve got the perfect solution for a single person process. If you have the benefit of a second person, simply push a pencil or stick through the center of the roll of line and have them hold it while you fill your reel. These simple processes can help avoid twisted lines which can create all types of problems if you are out fishing.
From time to time you’ll find that the drag or tension in your line isn’t quite right for the fishing. When a reel is filled in a professional shop they’ll often use internal measures to ensure that tension is maintained during the spooling process to help create drag on a line. To ensure that a home-rolled line has the proper tension, you can use some everyday items. Take an old phone book, place the line between the pages and then put a couple of books on top of that. This creates just enough drag to ensure that your line is rolled with the right amount of tension allowing you load your reel snugly.
Daiwa, Avet, Shimano and Van Staal are brands of line that frequently offer you with a recommended weight and length perfect for your individual reel. However, a rule of thumb is to always buy too much line since under-spooling can produce more problems than you wish to consider. When you are unsure as to how much line to buy, consider purchasing a bulk spool, which is available in lengths up to 1500 yards. Keep in mind that failing to load your reel correctly can wreak havoc with your retrieval ratio.
Unquestionably, a professionally spooled reel is always preferable to one that is done by an amateur. On the other hand, if you are obliged to do it yourself, these sensible guidelines can help make certain that your reel is loaded acceptably and you can take full advantage of your fishing episode.
There are many types of reels out on the market. Doing research to determine which one is right for you is extremely important. Some of the most popular reels out there today include Daiwa Saltiga 30T and Shimano Calcutta 400B.