How to Put Fishing Line on a Reel [The Full Guide]

As a beginner, fishing can be more challenging than you thought. It’s not just sitting on the boat quietly, sipping your cold beer as you wait for the fish to hook on the bait. Fishing begins with setting up the tools ready for the job. Well, hooking bait sounds easy, but putting a fishing line on a reel is work. But, have no fear!

Acing the proper set up of the line on a reel will boost your skills and give you the flexibility to catch any fish, despite the size. So, let’s get started on the setting up procedure. Read on.

Types of Lines

The right type of line is crucial in fishing. Not any line will fulfill your needs. For instance:

Monofilament: when you have live bait, this line is ideal for use. It is flexible and great for use in floats.

Fluorocarbon: this is also ideal for live baits. It is almost invisible and best suited for calm water. It is stiff hence not flexible.

Braided:  it comprises of many thin lies braided together. Since it is braided, it is hard to stretch and break easily. Also, it is noticeable, and light hence sinks gradually. The best bait to use with this line is the topwater bait. Cast the line from a great distance away to launch it on water properly.

With the appropriate line, you are ready to set up the line on a reel.

Process of Setting up A Fishing Line on a Reel

Things you will need;

Before beginning the process of setting up, you need to understand the parts and their functions.

Spool: This is the part where the fishing line is wound around.

Handle: the line is pushed back into the reel when the handle adjusts.

Bail: this is the metal arm that guards the line against escaping the spool. An open bail lets the line out while a fast bail holds the line securely in the spool.

Reel foot: working as a piece in a puzzle, the reel foot firmly and securely joins the rod to the reel.

Drag knob: with the drag knob, you have the liberty to set how loose or tight the line should be with a secured bail. Remember, the tighter the knob, the faster the line on the spool. Whereas the looser the knob, the looser the line on the spool.

Line roller: after winding the line on the spool, the line roller will guide the rod.

Rod tip: the tip is about 4 inches long and very thin hence delicate. The end allows you to notice when a fish bites. When handling the rod, take caution on the tip as it can easily break.

Real seat: to complete the puzzle, this piece connects to the reel foot to secure the reel to the rod.

Handle: this is the part you will be holding while fishing. Usually, it is a soft material that makes it comfortable to hold for as long as it takes. It’s more delicate than the rod.

1. Attach the Reel to the Rod

  • Work loose the reel seat located on the rod. Untighten it, giving it a large space for the reel foot to fit in easily.
  • Put the reel foot in the reel seat. Then tighten the seat with the foot inside. Make sure you pull everything firmly to avoid repeating the whole process in case anything shakes.
  • When putting the line, make sure you are keen to achieve the proper setup, as this can lead to an uncomfortable fishing experience.

2. Spool the Reel

  • Open the bail to insert the line on the reel once. This way, you will achieve two pieces of the bar that connect around the reel.
  • With the two pieces, tie two overhand knots.
  • Cut the remaining loose line at about 0.25″ from the reel, then close the bail.
  • Hold the line firmly, like a foot away from the reel. This will prevent the line from tangling as the line is put on the reel.
  • Turn the reel until you achieve your desired amount of line on the spin. How do you know the right amount, you ask? Some reels come with a marked line to indicate the maximum line amount for the particular spin. Generally, the amount of lines depends on the type of line and reel you are using.

3. String the Rod

  • Hold the tip with one hand and then open the bail with the other.
  • Put the line through the line guides.
  • Firmly holding the line, avoid letting it go as it can fall back into the guides.
  • Place the line from the bottom guide to the end tip.

4. Tie The Knot

  • Tie a fishing knot at the end of the tip to secure it in position. Use a knot that is easy to tie but firm enough that a fish of any size cannot loosen and escape.

Set the Drag Knob:

  • With an anticlockwise and clockwise motion, loosen and tighten the drag knob, respectively.
  • Pull the line manually from the reel to show the effect of the drag knob.
  • To make sure the drag knob is appropriately set with a fair amount, repeat the steps. You can ask for assistance from an experienced fisherman. If not, set the drag loosely because it can break the line if it is too tight. Note that you should set the drag before fishing, but you can alter it during fishing. Changing the drag is due to a too loose or too tight line.

5. Casting the Bait

  • Let about 1-1.5ft of the line to hang from the rod’s tip.
  • With the reeling hand, hold the rod some inches above the reel’s bottom and the line alongside the rod.
  • With the other hand, use it to open the bail.
  • Hold the base of the rod with the same first hand for reeling.
  • With the rod rotating on a pivot between your hands, lean it backward from the target.
  • Swing your hand speedily towards your target and release the arrow at the top of the cast. While doing this, be sure to hold the rod firmly as you will drop it in the lake.

6. Reel In the Line

  • Shut the bail.
  • Put the line in the line roller.
  • Turn the reel handle to secure the line in position.

Reeling has different ways of approach, depending on what the fish wants. Factors that influence what fish prefers are water temperature, weather, and time of the day, and the kind of bait.

Final Thought

There you have it! As a beginner, the whole process of putting a fishing line on a reel to the actual fishing needs practice. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss on some basics of tying the best knot or setting a perfect drag. Even if you fail to catch any fish, there’s still another time. Go ahead on the camping spree with loved ones and show them what you got! Happy fishing!

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