How to Add Line to an Open-Face Fishing Reel

Putting new line on your open-face reel will reduce the likelihood that a fish will break your line.

Open-face reels, known also as spinning reels, are the most common type of reels that fishermen use. They are more versatile than spincast reels and less so than baitcast reels, but they are the choice of anglers ranging in skill level from novice to expert. Unlike the other types of reels, open-face reels hang below the fishing rod to which they are attached. But, as with all reels, adding line to an open-face reel is the first step in using it to catch fish.

Things You'll Need

• Spinning reel
• Fishing rod
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Attach the reel to a spinning rod. Spinning rods differ from other types of rods in that the rod guides become progressively larger the closer they are to the reel, and because spinning rods do not have the trigger-shaped piece found on the handle of other rods.

2. Flip the bale of the reel up so you can access the spool of the reel.

3. Thread fishing line onto the fishing rod. Begin at the tip and thread the line through each rod guide until you reach the reel.

4. Wrap the fishing line around the spool twice, and then tie a knot in the line so it is tight.

5. Snip most of the extra line above the knot. Leave 1/8 of an inch of line to prevent the knot from coming apart should it slip a little bit.

6. Flip the bale of the reel downward to close it.

7. Turn the reel handle clockwise to take line onto the reel spool. Continue until the fishing line is 1/8 of an inch below the spool's rim.

8. Cut the fishing line one foot beyond the tip of the fishing rod.