How to Put Line on a Spinning Reel

How you put your line on your spinning reel can determine the outcome of your fishing trip. If done incorrectly, the reel can become tangled, and the line can break. Follow these steps to learn how to put line on a spinning reel.

Instructions

1. Remove most of the old fishing line off of the spinning reel. Leave just enough line through the spool end of the rod to attach the new fishing line to.

2. Make 2 clinch knots to attach the new line to the old. For instructions, see the related eHow article titled "How to Tie a Clinch Knot."

3. Lay the new spool of fishing line on the floor. Position it so that it comes off the new spool exactly as it will go on to the spinning reel.

4. Secure the fishing line tightly with your free hand. Slowly turn the spinning reel with your other hand, making sure that the line winds on tightly.

5. Fill the spool until it is about an eighth of an inch from the spool tip. This should only require about 50 yards of fishing line. Don't fill the entire spool, or you risk tangling the line.

Tips & Warnings

• Recycle old fishing line at a tackle shop.

• Put cloth tape on the reel after Step 1 if you are using braided fishing line.

• You can save money if you reuse your old line. Remove the old fishing line then re-spool it backwards. This will put the old line on the inside of the spinning reel, and the fresh line will be used for fishing.