How to Put New Line on a Fishing Pole
Any fishing pole uses a fishing line, which is a thin cord connected from the handle end of the rod all the way to the hook and the bait. The fishing line is, therefore, a very important component of the rod for any kind of fishing. All anglers, whether experienced, or just starting out, should know how to put new line on a fishing pole because it is the most basic skill to have. In order to do so, you need to follow a few relatively simple steps.
Which Fishing Line to Use?
You have quite a few options when choosing a fishing line which include its diameter, weight, strength, color, etc. These are all factors that you will have to consider according to the type of fishing you are planning. For instance, if you are going for freshwater fish like crappie, bass, or lake trout, you can get away with a thin line with low strength. A heavy-weight line wouldn’t be needed as these fish are comparatively lightweight.
Alternatively, if you want to go out to the sea for saltwater fish like marlin, tuna, or even swordfish you should be armed with a strong and heavy line. The maximum strength you can choose also depends on the strength of your fishing pole. Every fishing pole comes with a strength specification and you shouldn’t go above this otherwise the rod will break before the line does.
The color of the line depends on the environment and the color of water you are fishing in. Generally, it is a good idea to match with the surroundings with a blue, green, or clear line so the fish cannot see the line beyond the bait.
Connecting the Fishing Line
Connecting the line with the fishing pole is a straightforward task. First, you should mount the reel on the reel seat at the butt of the fishing pole. This is done by slipping the reel foot into the reel seat. Now, grab one end of your chosen fishing line and pass it through the last guide at the tip of the rod.
Gradually, pass it through the next guides and pull it out of the last one. Pull up the bail arm and make space for the line to go onto the reel. Once you circle the reel with the line, tie at least two to three knots over it. After this, you can cut off the extra length of the line to make it a neat knot.
Reeling It In
As the line is tied to the knot, you can push the bail arm back into position. Hold onto the fishing pole handle with one hand and start turning the reel handle towards yourself to reel the line in. Reel it in for the distance you wish to keep. Usually, you can buy the line of the exact length you need so you don’t have to estimate how much line to wind around the reel. Once you are satisfied with the length, cut the end of the line beyond the tip of the fishing pole.
Attaching the Hook
The hook is to be attached to the tip of your fishing line and can be bit tricky as the hook is usually a very small component. To attach the hook, take the end of the line beyond the tip of the pole, and pass it through the hole at the top of the hook. Pull the line through to about twice the length of the hook. Coil the line in the shape of the hook and hold the two of them together using a pinching action of your other hand.
Now take the end of the line again and wrap it around the top of the hook. Note that you should wrap it below the hole where you initially passed the line through. Wrap it around 8 or 9 times and then let go of it. Pass the end through the hole made in the line and pull it along with the end that is now towards the pole.
Once you have the hook attached, you are pretty much set with your new line on the fishing pole. The only further steps you need are to attach the lure or the bait to the hook. This is quite easy as most artificial lures are provided with a slot that locks into the hook. You might also need to attach a bobber, which is also quite an easy process compared to attaching the hook.
Related Content: Learn How to Attach a Wire Leader to the Fishing Line!
