How Much Line To Put On A Reel?
Hi! I’m Shirley Carrillo, and today I am going to talk about one of the essential topics of fishing, which is how much line you should put on a fishing reel.
It might be difficult for you to cast with too much line while fishing. That’s why a common question arises among anglers how much line to put on a reel.
It entirely depends on you which type of fishing reel you are using now. When you look at your fishing reel, you can understand how much line it can hold.
Typically, most fishing lines are sold in 150-yard and 300-yard spools, whereas most fishing rods are made for casting around 200-yards.
It creates a few difficulties, so you need to use a filler line first. You can use an inexpensive line to get started.
Then you can finish things off with an excellent line. If you do this, you will be able to save your money.
You should keep in mind that you frequently maintain your fishing gear properly if you enhance your enjoyment on the water.
It helps you keep your fishing line well for a long time. Your fishing line may get weak or broken down, so it is necessary to know how to replace the line on your fishing reel as well.
So, let’s get started with today’s topic.
Types Of Fishing Reels | Which One You Are Using
When you are putting the line on your fishing reel, you should keep in mind which one you are using to catch fish. Here, we’ve provided 6 most used fishing reels. Hopefully, one from this list matches with your current fishing reel.
#01. Spincast Reel: Spincast fishing reel comes with some essential components that are kept inside and underneath a nose cone.
A button is available on the reel’s backside. You need to press it down while casting forward. If you press on the button, the fishing line pushes out. But, when you release your finger off the button, the line stops.
You don’t need to use backlash with your reel, because there are almost no chances of getting your fishing line snaring or twisted.
#02. Spinning Reel: A spinning reel is one of the most popular fishing reels among anglers. It comes with an open-faced design with ease of casting, especially for beginners. The reel hangs underneath the rod to provide you a pleasant feeling while fishing.
Besides, it has line capacity so that you can put a little more amount of fishing line on the reel.
You will also have it with an additional spool so that it helps your line flow freely on the cast. As a result, it is simple for you to change your line while fishing on the water.
#03. Baitcasting Reel: Baitcasting reel is one of the most used fishing reels available on the market today. You must need a lot of skills and practices to cast this type of reel effectively.
So, we’ve understood that this reel is for those who have quite an excellent experience to use.
When you release the line, you can see the spool rotates automatically.
Although it is more difficult to use than any other fishing reel, it provides a significant amount of accuracy and distance with the help of backlashing and line tangles. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can step up your fishing game with it.
This reel also offers a powerful and fast retrieve to make it great to use for catching larger and harder fighting fish.
Besides, we can classify baitcasting reels into 2 types:
- Round Baitcasting Reel: This reel has a larger spool that makes it useful for holding a bit more line. It will be helpful for you when you can cast a line as you need. You will be more satisfied if you can cast your line to the long distance. On the contrary, it will be disheartening for you when the cast cuts short because of the shortage of lines.
- Low-Profile Baitcasting Reel: This type of baitcasting reel is getting popular nowadays. It comes with a lightweight feature, ergonomic design, and ease of use. With this baitcasting reel, you can catch a variety of gamefish. And it also reduces line twist on your fishing reel.
#04. Surf Fishing Reel: Both spinning and BAITCASTING fishing reels can be used as a surf reel. It depends on the anglers which type they are going to prefer.
A surf fishing reel comes with either graphite body or anodized aluminum material. You may find such a surf fishing reel that is designed with both materials.
The best surf reels are built to resist the severe conditions, such as casting among saltwater. It also comes with stainless steel ball bearings to ensure maximum corrosion resistance.
Good surf fishing reels are usually versatile and lightweight. They also come with higher retrieval rates than any other fishing reel out there.
In addition to the durability, a surf fishing reel paired with a quality surf rod can also hold plenty of fishing line to provide accurate and long casts.
#05. Trolling Reel: Trolling reel, sometimes called conventional or casting reel, is usually used in deep-sea or offshore fishing.
Whether you are fishing in the deep sea or just a deep lake to catch a big game, both ways are useful with a trolling reel.
The essential things are machined aluminum or heavy-duty graphite construction that you should look for in the best trolling reel.
It comes with an extensive line capacity and a powerful and smooth multi-disc drag system to fight with more powerful and bigger fish.
Another essential feature to look for in a trolling reel includes a dual-speed reel. It also offers you a loud audible clicker so that you can hear the line being pulled over the sound of the engine.
Overall, you will be able to handle more fishing line when you are using a trolling reel.
#06. Fly Fishing Reel: When you are trying to do fly fishing, you need to have the accuracy in casting the line to your desired spot.
A fly fishing reel offers the anglers many different styles. For example, some reels are indeed designed for trout fishing. You will also have other types of reels to catch big salmon.
Besides, you sometimes have large arbors that can enhance the retrieval speed.
Handy Hint: To read more about fishing reels, visit our other article about 5 kastking reels [full review here] and use spincast reel [full blog here]
Types of Fishing Line
Before knowing the right amount of line you need to use, you have to have a clear idea about how many kinds of fishing lines that anglers use. So, we’ve come out with 4 types of the FISHING LINES below.
- Monofilament: Monofilament line is made of nylon polymer strands, which tends to be one of the most inexpensive fishing lines. This material can be weak if you keep it under the hot sunshine. To get the best result from this line, you need to replace it at least once a season.
- Braided Line: Braided line is a famous fishing line, which is made of various materials from two or more strands. That’s because this fishing line is more long-lasting than others. You may need a replacement once every couple of seasons if you are looking for consistently good results.
- Fluorocarbon: The fluorocarbon line is such a developed fishing line, which is more durable than a monofilament fishing line. Similarly, you need to replace this sort of fishing line every couple of years, like the braided line.
- Copolymer: Copolymer line is an upgraded version of the monofilament line, which is made from two types of nylon polymers. On the other hand, the monofilament line is designed with one nylon polymer material
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How Many lines To Put On A Reel
It can be challenging to find out how much line to put on a fishing reel. In this case, many line manufacturing companies recommend anglers to use 200 yards of line while fishing.
But, this amount might not be accurate for your line, so you should find out how much line will be too much for your reel.
The fill level will usually be 1/16 inch from the lip since some experienced anglers add a little bit more as their measurements.
Keep the line below the lip, otherwise you will get problems while casting the line.
With keeping these things in mind, I’m now going to tell you how much line to put on a specific fishing reel. Keep reading the crucial part of this article below.
Spincast Reel
You can easily use the line on a spincast reel. But, you must know how to put the line on it. If you are using a spincast line for the first time, and you have no idea about it, just follow the steps below.
At first, you need to unscrew the cover and remove it. You also need to take the line off the reel you’ve used an old line for a long time. Some reels provide a notch and pin to keep everything together.
Secondly, you have to bind the new line with the spool. Then run the line through the hole in the cover and tie it to the reel spool. You may find it more helpful with the rod guides. And finally, pull it tightly by making arbor knots.
In the next step, you need to put a new line onto the reel. For that reason, laying the filler spool on the floor is necessary so that the line can come off the spool in the same way. It also helps the reel prevent twisting the line.
Furthermore, use one hand to hold the line tight, otherwise it can eventually cause casting problems. In the meanwhile, you require filling spool to 1/8 inch of the lip.
Lastly, use line guides to tie on a lure and run the line. Remember that it is a good idea for you to hold the reel while casting.
Spinning Reel
Putting the line on a spinning reel is pretty much easy, so I highly recommend you to know about it and do this yourself. If you learn how to re-spool this equipment, this excellent skill will save your money as well.
Let’s get into the measurements.
At first, you need to put a proper amount of line on your fishing reel. You also have to put an adequate amount of line so that you can keep your gear working correctly and avoid a mess when casting.
To get the desired results, leave a little bit more space for better casting. Keep in mind that you should keep the line tightened when you add a line.
When you are loading a fishing line on your fishing reel, you need to concentrate that you are not putting too much line onto the reel. An extra amount of fishing line can occur problems while fishing.
If the spool is overloaded, you will find the line slipping off of the reel more frequently.
Lastly, an overloaded spool can increase the chances of the reel getting twisted in your fishing line.
Baitcasting Reel
The primary consideration when spooling baitcasting reel is the line type and size you are going to add to the reel. If you are going to spool a 20-pound test on your baitcasting reel, the fishing line might get a bit thicker. So, you should be spooling the thinner 10-pound test.
You can bind fluorocarbon or monofilament with the spool, but the braided line may slip too much when linked to the spool. In this case, you may need some backing to protect your reel from slippage.
The first step I take when spooling a baitcasting reel is to pass the line through the rod guides and the reel’s level wind guide. If you pass the line through the rod guides, it will allow you to put more tension onto it. That’s why you will be able to prevent loops from forming in the spool.
Then cover the line around the spool and also tie it with an overhand knot. You need to complete an arbor knot, so pull the mainline as long as the knots tighten to the spool.
Surf Fishing Reel
For surfcasting, you can choose a line, which is at least 200 yards. If the reel holds more, you shouldn’t stop at that number.
Always use double max casting distance. So, 200 yards provides you space to make an excellent cast of 100 yards. Less than 100 yards of the reel may be left on the spool.
When you are going to purchase a braided line, you need to choose the 300-yard spools and put the entire spool onto the reel. Fill the backing until the spool is fully loaded, then flip the line over.
Trolling Reel
I suggest you fill the spool with the braided line. You may put a suitable monofilament on top of the reel. If the reel comes with a rubber, you don’t need to put monofilament first.
If you don’t set upbraided line, you need to put 10 to 20 yards of monofilament on the reel instead. Keep in mind that you need to put the braid on as tight as possible to avoid it from digging.
Fly Fishing Reel
A typical fly fishing line is 90 to 110 feet in length. If you are casting 30 feet of line, you’ll have over 60 feet of fly line on your reel.
The only thing is that you’re going to hook panfish and small brook trout. 60 feet may be more than enough.
You will have some backing on your reel, so freshwater carp, salmon, and steelhead are commonly pulled out to put you into the backing.
Disadvantages Of Using Too Much Line
Using too much line can create several problems. You may end up fixing the things midway. This won’t be something that you want to do as an angler.
While all of these annoying problems, wind knots are the worst, and you’re going to have an immense challenge to deal with.
They’re no more than knots in the wind, but more common and much more annoying with braided lines. So, wind knot prevention can greatly help your fishing, but it is not a perfect solution for anglers.
Overall, if you are using too much line on your fishing reel, you’re going to have a bad experience of wind knots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Load A Fishing Reel?
Ans: Loading the line accurately on a fishing reel is essential. If you do this in the wrong way, you’ll get a line-twist nightmare later.
You can have someone else to do this for you. If it’s not possible for you, follow these instructions below:
You need to open the bail so that the little wire arm on the reel can flip up and down. In this case, up remains open, and the down one stays closed.
After that, you need to tie the line on the arbor with a knot and then close the bail. Next, put the spool on the floor, because a reel needs the line to be loaded onto it in the same way it is coming to the spool.
You also need to use your index finger and thumb to apply a little pressure on your line, turning the handle 15 to 20 times. If you put much pressure, otherwise the line will go on the tangle and loose.
Check the line frequently so that it cannot get twisted. If it starts twisting, flip and fill your spool until it is 1/8th inch from the rim the spool over and try again.
Can You Put Heavier Line On A Reel?
Ans: Fluorocarbon and monofilament lines are heavier and don’t work well on fishing reels, because the diameters of these lines are large enough. The spooled line will jump off the reel when you are to going to cast.
In this case, it is good for you to select a quality line with a pound test, which should be less than 10 or 12 pounds, depending on the reel size.
You will realize over times by yourself what amount of line you need to put on your fishing reel. You can get enough capacity with braided line, which puts out enough drag to fish with a heavier line.
Should Fly Line Come Off Top Or Bottom Of Reel?
Ans: It is very annoying if your fly fishing line get twisted. Many ways are available to occur line twisting and most of which can be fixed. To get rid of this problem, I have some important suggestions.
At first, rig one bottom to another. Most fly lines show some types of memory during the manufacturing process.
So, when you are rigging a fly line to your fishing reel, it’s essential for you to know that you should not rig top to bottom.
I recommend you not to pass the line around the outside of the spool. You may knot the fly line to the backing. You may also place the spool of fly line on the ground. Perhaps, the line is wound on the reel, passing around the outside of the spool.
Finally, the fly line shouldn’t be removed from the spool. It is wrapped on the spool in a clear direction.
How Do You Spool Fishing Line On A Reel?
Ans: Spooling fishing line on a reel is a simple job for the anglers. Just choose a line. Load and spool it on the reel. You are now ready to go fishing in just around 10 minutes.
If you don’t actually know how you spool fishing line on a reel, just follow these steps below.
At first, you need to close the bail and place the spool on the floor to make sure that the line enters into the reel in the right way.
Then, when you lay the spool flat on the floor, your spool should line up. As a result, the line comes off the spool the same way how it goes into the reel. If your line is getting twisted, flip it over. This will help you avoid any problems.
Next, you should lightly pinch the line, about 30 cm above the reel. After that, slowly crank the reel, about 20 times.
Again, let the line slide through your pinched fingers. You can now stop cranking to allow your line some slack.
After having done a lot of things not to get twisted, you have little chance to fall into the same problem.
But, if you still find the twist in your line, start this process again from the beginning.
And finally, you need to fill the spool as long as it is 0.32 cm away from the rim. If you do this, it will provide you with plenty of lines to use, even while you are changing lures or clearing snags.
Final Words
After all, having too much line on your reel can be very detrimental. This will increase the chances of dealing with wind knots.
You’ll need to work for several minutes or longer to deal with the knot. That is going to take away from experience.
With that being said, you should never overfill your reel. Make sure that you stop before you reach the lip.
If you properly load a fishing reel, it will prevent line maintenance, even on the water. Therefore, your line will last longer, and you can save your money as well.
