How To Spool A Fishing Reel: 5 Easy Steps To Remember

Even back in the day, the notion seems right that almost all fishermen have their own version on how to spool a fishing reel. It takes a lot of practice to develop a fishing reel spooling skill even if most of the steps are similar.

There is a long-standing saying in fishermen’s circles that goes, "A fisherman who doesn't know how to spool his own fishing reel is no fisherman." If you think about it, this saying actually makes sense. If you want to become proficient in fishing, you need to learn how to spool a fishing reel on your own.

Now, you might ask yourself, "Why would I need to spool a fishing line constantly anyway?" There are plenty of reasons why you should, and some of these reasons could greatly affect the success of your angling. Over time, your fishing line will wear out and develop a "shape" that makes casting difficult. It happens to even the best fishing reels.

While it doesn’t always happen, it is possible that your fishing line could develop a "memory" of being looped around the reel. It is not good if your fishing line develops a memory because it can make casting the line terribly difficult.

A line with poor spooling twists into unmanageable shapes and coils, tangling every time you throw it. This can be avoided if you spool your line if you intend to take a breather from angling. This is also the reason why you need to master how to spool fishing reels correctly.

How to Spool a Fishing Reel By Yourself

Are you ready to learn the steps on how to spool a fishing rod correctly? Here are some things you will needto remember, especially when working on one of the best fishing reels in the market.

1. Open The Bail

If you aren't familiar with it, it is the tiny wire arm on your fishing reel that flips up and down. In most reels, the "up" position is considered "open," while the "down" position is considered "closed." Just to be sure, check your fishing reel and see the included diagram (if one was included when you purchased it). Different models might have different bail designs, so you can never be too sure.

2. Tie the line on the arbor

After opening the bail, the next step is to tie the line on the arbor with your own arbor knot. Make sure that the arbor knot is executed properly. If it is, you can then close the bail.

3. Spool your reel

The next step is to spool your fishing reel. Placing your spool on the floor, load it onto your reel in the same direction that it came off  the spool. Make sure that you secure the spool. If it isn’t and you end up with a loose line, you will need to repeat the process.

4. Turn the Handle

Using your free hand, apply a slight pressure on your fishing line as you turn the handle around 10 to 20 times. Don't forget to put light pressure on the line as you load it—this is important in making sure that the line is secured and will not become loose later on. A loose line is prone to tangles, and it makes reeling in incredibly difficult.

5. Check For Line Twists

Let the line go slack and see if there are line twists. If there are, flip your spool over and repeat the process, beginning with Step 3. Make sure that you eliminate line twists during this stage of the spooling process or it will surely come back to haunt your angling later.

6. Fill your Spool

The average that we recommend is to fill your spool until it is around 1/8 inch from the rim. Do not overfill or under-fill the spool. If you do, there’s a good chance that you will have reeling problems later on. Don’t forget to check the tightness or the looseness of the line from time to time. Always remember to turn your handles slowly while checking for line twists.

That's it! Now you have learned how to spool a fishing reel on your own. While it is true that this requires constant practice, patience and consistency, having a well-spooled fishing reel will contribute a lot to the success of your fishing expeditions. Hopefully, you can use this  information to improve your fishing techniques further.