As an avid boater, it is crucial to know how to properly load your reel with fishing line to avoid any mishap while on the water. Here are the steps you should follow to ensure that your reel is loaded properly with fishing line.
Step 1: Identify the size of the line that is compatible with your reel
The first step is identifying the size of the line that your reel can accommodate. This information should be available on the packaging of your reel or in the user manual that came with it. Using a line that is too heavy or too light can cause issues with casting, tangling, and the overall performance of the reel.
Step 2: Attach the line to the reel
To attach the line to the reel, you need to tie a knot around the spool with the open end of the line using an arbor knot. Make sure the knot is tight, and the line is wrapped around the reel spool.
Step 3: Wind the line onto the reel
Keeping a tight line, hold the spool of the line and start winding in low speed or manually turn the reel handle.
While winding, you should avoid any slackness and overlap by applying slight pressure to the line onto the reel spool. Ensure to wind the line on straight and neat, so that it doesn’t get tangled during casting.
Step 4: Fill the reel to the appropriate level
Avoid overloading the reel with a line as it can impact casting and line performance. On the other hand, underloading too much line can cause prompt fatigue of the line and can result in snapped lines.
A good rule of thumb is to fill the reel with the line to about 1/8 inch below the lip of the spool. Then, cut the surplus line end and remember to leave around 6 inches to 12 inches to tie hooks or rig attachments.
Putting a line on a reel might seem straightforward, but it is important to follow the correct process to ensure optimal performance. By following these steps, you will be able to load your reel correctly with the appropriate amount of line and distribute it evenly for successful fishing.