How to Respool a Reel: A Total Fishing Tackle Review

How to Respool a Reel

The line on your reel is the main connection between you and the fish you hook, if you don't look after it then it might let you down when you need it the most! Changing your line regularly is one way to ensure you tip the scales firmly in your favour but if you do it incorrectly it can work against you. Our resident carp angling expert Wayne Box shows you exactly the right way to load your reels with some fresh line. One of the most common questions when talking about line is how often you should replace it on your reels? Well, there is no definitive guide and it really depends on how often you fish to be honest. For example if you fish once or twice a year in France then you can get away with changing your line once a year. If you fish two or three nights a week then you really need to change it more often and I would say at least twice a year or whenever you felt the need to. Suffice it to say, if you cannot remember the last time you changed your line on your reels, then it's probably time for some fresh line! Here is how I re-spool my reels;

1 I always soak the bulk spool of mono before winding it onto the reel spools. At least for a few hours but ideally overnight. The line will darken right up as it absorbs the water.

2 The reason for doing this is to make the mono go incredibly limp just like braid. Nylon monofilament is hydroscopic (absorbs water) and as it soaks up water it goes softer making it easier to wind onto the reels smoothly.

3 There are various opinions regarding the best way to load mono in terms of how it should come off the bulk spool. Through trial and error I have found the best way to prevent any twist is to load the line with the bulk spool spinning i.e. with the spool held on a pen.

4 If nobody is available to assist you when loading line, stand the spool up in a tub of water with something loosely wedged up against it to prevent the spool from falling over. I use a Drennan bait box and a ceramic mug; it works perfectly!

5 With your reel on the butt section of a rod, thread the line through the butt guide and tie or tape to the base of the spool or the backing line already on the spool.

6 Now start winding the line onto the reel. Some people prefer to wind the line under tension through a towel, I just prefer to hold the line about a foot above the reel and wind it through my fingers under tension.

7 Placing tension on the line ensures it goes onto the reel spool nice and tight, bedding in properly.

8 Fill the reel spool right up to the lip. Overfilling will result in line spill and tangles.

9 Cut the line and either get fishing or secure the end under the line clip.

Check out our extensive range of fishing line right here on the Total Fishing Tackle Website and as always if you have any questions about loading line onto your reels or any other carpy questions drop me an email wayne.box@totalfishingtackle.com