On a perfectly loaded reel, line will flow evenly off the spool during the cast. An overloaded spool will spill off too much line and cause an overrun, while an underloaded spool will drag the lead weight back. Line choice is often based on breaking strain, but those quoted can be fanciful. There are no such problems with diameter, which is easy to check with a micrometer. It is diameter that dictates the amount of line a spool will hold.
LOADING A FIXED-SPOOL REEL
With any reel, line must be loaded on the spool without it twisting. Otherwise, in the case of a fixed-spool, loops and twists will be stored and come off on the cast, causing problems. Watch the line as it comes off the spool it is sold on, and if it is twisting, change the way you are unloading it. You can either allow it to rotate on a pencil pushed through the hole in the middle of the spool (braking it with a finger), or hold the spool on one side and let the line come off in loops. If it twists, turn the spool over so the line exits from the other side. Anchor the line on the reel spool with either a grinner knot or a lasso knot. In both cases, a wrap of PVC tape over the knot will smooth it down. Tape also makes good backing, so you won’t need so much line to fill the spool. Load the spool so the line comes as close to the lip as possible. Some modern fixed-spool reels have a low-capacity spool for braid and low-diameter mono. The better quality fixed spool reels have an efficient line-lay system whereby the spool oscillates as it turns, laying the line in cotton reel fashion. Some reels even contour the line so it forms a cone shape on the spool, layering it perfectly for smooth casting.
Always Keep An Even Tension On The Line When Spooling Up
MAINTAIN TENSION
Reeling line on to a spool slackly or with uneven tension is probably the biggest cause of tangles or overruns. With a fixed-spool reel, the line can be held and tensioned by the forefinger and thumb of the hand that holds the rod above the reel. In most cases, the weight of the lead weight alone will tension the line as you reel in, but not after a snap-off, when it has to be done carefully by hand. On a multiplier without a level wind, the line can be tensioned and guided along the spool by the forefinger and thumb of the hand that supports the reel at its seat. Any slack sections or loops run the risk of a potential birds nest during the next cast. In essence, never reel line on to a spool without tensioning it.
If Spooling Up A Multiplier Without A Level wind, Ensure You Guide The Line Onto The Spool
BRAIDED LINE
Braid’s lack of stretch makes it a great line for detecting bites. You must ensure braid is secured properly to the spool, or the entire loading of line can slip and turn on the spool. Some reels have a line attachment pin to eliminate this problem. Alternatives include a short length of mono added to the base of the braid, or a wrap of PVC tape around the spool knot. When using braid for boat fishing, thumb the line on the spool faster than you would with mono – this will criss-cross the braid, lessening the likelihood of the coils jamming.
A line loader makes re-spooling reels easier when unaccompanied.
LINE-LOADING GADGETS
Line loaders are available to help you load a reel with line. They hold the spool in position and allow the line to feed off it – great if you are on your own. Otherwise, enlist the help of another to hold and control the spool while you concentrate on the line lay. Another way to load a fixed-spool reel singlehanded is to drop the line spool into a bucket of water. This dampens the line so it will lay better, supporting the spool while allowing it to rotate.
Buying And Using Line
- – Bulk spools (4oz upwards) are economical and offer multiple fills of your reel – exactly how many depends on the spool capacity.
- – One advantage of buying a more expensive brand of line is that it will be loaded with attention to the problems of twist. Modern copolymer monofilament lines are increasingly resistant to twist and memory.
- – Reels with ready loaded spools are aimed at the beginner.
- – Never use a line with a knot in it. Apart from the knot edges posing a threat to fingers, a knot creates a bump in the line lay that can disrupt casting smoothness.
- – A fixed-spool reel with a quick change spool system gives the option of carrying several different lines to suit the type of fishing you are doing. This is not possible with a multiplier.
- – Colouring line is said to weaken it very slightly, although in some makes the bright colours are reckoned to be the best. Red is a favourite because it is said to be invisible under water.
