"How to" Load your spool

[cowley]

I'll start the ball rolling on this one with a basic, 'How to load your spool.'
Alot of anglers do this differently, this is how I do it.

I get the butt section of a rod and put the reel with the empty spool on it. Then thread the new line through the rod eye back towards the reel. Then remove the reel spool and attach the new line to it, using a very simple hand over hand knot. Trim the knot, then re-attach the spool, making sure the bail arm is open. Then very gently close the bail arm, and place the new spool of line into a bucket of water. Then allign the rod ring over the bucket, and sit in a comfortable position before you start reeling. With your non reeling arm, support and balance the rod just forward of the reel, and at the same time pinch the line between your thumb and first finger. You can apply reasonable pressure without getting line burn because it will be wet as it runs between your thumb and first finger. Then begin winding at a leisurely pace, if you go too fast it makes your hands ache. I fill the spool to just over proud, because once you've cast a few times it will then tighten up to perfect.

*Warning. Probably best to do this in the kitchen or outside, as it's impossible not to splash water from the bucket. ( From Mrs. C )

I haven't posted this on tips and tricks yet because I thought others could add to it before it was finished.

Cowley.

[rig-shy]

A great start

But would add that most Carp Reels have deep spools with large line capacity (300-400yds) which unless your boating baits even the greatest caster will not require to load your reels fully or replace this much line.

Better to use a cheaper thicker line as Backing for the first 100-200yds (depending on size of spool and range regularly fished) then attach your main line,both can be loaded as already described.

By doing this you can save money on new line as once the backing is loaded on your spools it can remain there indefinitely and every time you feel the need to change your lines just remove until the backing appears and replace as normal.

By doing this you will be able to respool 3 or even 4 reels from one standard bulk spool (1000mtrs) saving money and time

When casting newly loaded line I find it best to attach a heavier lead than normal and do a few long range cats to help the line settle down on the spool , this helps to bed the line down and prevent it peeling of the reel unnecessary and improve its casting and behavior.

[cowley]

A great start

But would add that most Carp Reels have deep spools with large line capacity (300-400yds) which unless your boating baits even the greatest caster will not require to load your reels fully or replace this much line.

Better to use a cheaper thicker line as Backing for the first 100-200yds (depending on size of spool and range regularly fished) then attach your main line,both can be loaded as already described.

By doing this you can save money on new line as once the backing is loaded on your spools it can remain there indefinitely and every time you feel the need to change your lines just remove until the backing appears and replace as normal.

By doing this you will be able to respool 3 or even 4 reels from one standard bulk spool (1000mtrs) saving money and time

When casting newly loaded line I find it best to attach a heavier lead than normal and do a few long range cats to help the line settle down on the spool , this helps to bed the line down and prevent it peeling of the reel unnecessary and improve its casting and behavior.

Great points! I will wait to see others comments, if any, but these will definitely be added.
Thanks rig-shy

[NoKnot]

Good post rig-shy,

If I can just add to what you said about casting new line: I like to "just over fill" the spools, then when at the lake, as you stated tie on a lead with no rig, then wet the spool and make a light cast, then a medium cast, then give it a wack! This really beds the line down nicely, and if you have overfilled the spool you will get a tangle, just cut off the excess line leaving you with a perfectly filled spool

[Pali]

One additional tip:
When I load the reel I do it through a line counter e.g. from Rapala. If I buy 1350 m spool I will allways note on it the consumed length and I know how much is left.

[infra]

It's also important to have the line come off the spool in the correct direction. Usually clockwise for most fixed spool reels which normally means the spool needs to be label side up, but not always. Another trick is to take the old line off and spool it the other way around so that you get the use out of the bottom layers too.

[cowley]

It would appear that we have completed the add ons to my original post.
Shall I just leave them as add ons or should they be incorporated into the original post?

Cowley.

[alanc123]

just buy a line loader

[levigsp]

Hi all, I tend to load reels slightly differently to most people and I think this is due to an apprenticeship served in the chemical industry and namely Nylon.
I have tried al sorts of different ways and even bought special line winders etc., however I always found what worked with one line and reel would cause line twist on another.
So I will try and explain my way from scratch, a bit more complicated than most but worth it
I put the reel with empty spool on a rod and then thread the line through one eye/runner and tie it to the reel spool.
I then lay the spool on the floor and do not worry which way the line comes off.
I then wind on the required amount of line under slight finger pressure; this is often not a full spool because as already stated spools are often to deep.
Once the line is wound on-lets say 250 mt I then tie on another cheap line and again wind it on until the pool is loaded perfectly.
I then take the spool of and swap for an empty one; I then thread the line through a runner again and tie to the empty spool.
Then comes the IMPORTANT part, the full spool is submerged in a large saucepan of water that has just been taken of the boil, the line is then wound on using a wet cloth to apply pressure to it.
The result is a perfectly filled spool, no memory etc.

When the line needs replacing I simply strip the 250-mt and rewind new line but this again is placed in boiling water.
However if it’s an emergency I may throw the spool in the lake so it floats and then wind the line on.

If for some reason I have got a lot of twist in the line after some use, I wind it onto another spool before rewinding it onto the original again out of boiling water.
It’s my way and it has stood me in good stead for a lot of years.
I hope you could follow this.

[moorsey]

That's really good advice Frank and the only thing that I would add is that, when you are winding on your backing line you count the number of turns of the reel handle and then you can wind exactly the same amount onto the next spools.
Keith

[levigsp]

Good tip Keith

[Browndog]

I've always used Hot water not just off the boil, it certainly helps bed the line down. I also add some washing up liquid as I think it helps clean any oils or grease used during the manufacturing, and run the line through a damp cloth to tension the line.