How to Spool a Baitcast Reel

Knowing how to spool your baitcast reel can keep your fishing trip on track if you lose your line to the big one that got away. Also, if you buy a new baitcast reel and string it yourself, you'll save the money you would have spent from having it done at a tackle shop. You'll also be able to help friends do the same thing, making you a popular fishing partner.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing line
• Lure
• Wire cutters
• Pencil
• Tape
• Rubber band

Instructions

1. Select a good monofilament fishing line. A good 12 lb. test line should be strong enough for most fishing situations. If you intend to fish for large fish, select a stronger pound line.

2. Remove any plastic protection covering your fishing line reel. Soak the reel and line in a bowl of warm water for 60 minutes. Soaking the line in warm water relaxes the line's curl, which prevents the line from tangling when using your baitcast reel.

3. Allow the fishing line to dry for 30 minutes. Then poke a pencil through the center of the reel. Drive the pencil into the ground at a 45-degree angle if you're outside. If you have a workshop, secure the end of the pencil with a vise at an angle so that the reel won't fall off. This will allow the reel to spin freely as you take fishing line from it.

4. Take the end of the fishing line from the reel and feed it through the bottom guide eye on the rod. The eyes are placed along the length of the rod, and the line will be fed through these eyes once you've strung your baitcast reel.

5. Feed the end of the line between the reel guides on the reel, then wrap it once around the reel and tie it off with a secure knot. Cut off excess line from the knot with wire cutters. If the string spins too freely, you can secure it with a small piece of tape.

6. Turn the reel's handle to spin the baitcast reel and wind fishing line around it. Continue turning the handle until the reel is full of fishing line. Cut the fishing line, leaving enough to feed through the guide eyes on the rod, and place a rubber band around the fishing reel to keep the line in place.

7. Remove the rubber band when you have the right lure handy. Feed the end of the fishing line through the rod's guide eyes and tie the appropriate lure. You're now set to go fishing with your baitcast reel.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your baitcast reel after use, especially when fishing in salt water, to keep it in good operating condition.

• Be careful when handling fishing lures. The sharp barbs can pierce skin.

Resources

• Float Tube Fly Fishing: Fishing regulations by state