Spooling Braided Line

[cst]

Here is a quick and easy way to spool up a reel with spectra all by yourself.

The beauty of this technique is that you can spool it tightly without the help of anybody else and without any special equipment.

All you need is the rod, reel, line, a large book and either "stretch wrap" or electrical tape.

So lets get started.

Here is the naked reel.

Normally, you would tie the line onto the spool. However, with spectra, since it doesn't have any stretch, you shouldn't do this. If you were to spool the spectra now, there would be a chance that the spectra will slip on the spool. It will give you the same feeling as trying to reel in with your drag set to 0. You'd turn the handle but the line wouldn't move.

Here's the reel with a little bit of stretch wrap on it. This will keep the spectra from slipping on your spool. You can also use electrical tape or even a few wraps of mono followed by a uni to uni knot onto the spectra.

Now tie the spectra onto the spool. I used a San Diego Jam Knot. That knot makes it easy to cinch the knot down. After tying the knot and pulling it tight, I use my nail to push the knot further down while pulling the main line. Reel in a couple of times and you're ready for the next step.

Put the line in between a book. I used an old textbook. If you want more pressure, use the yellow pages.

All that is left now is to spool the line. Every once in a while, stop spooling, take your nail and try to dig into the spectra. If you can, the spectra is on too loose.

Here's a few more tips from other users:

Originally Posted by Dodoman

Use chapstick on your spool after taping then pack it tight with spectra. This keeps the salt from corroding your spool.

[cashe]

Thanks for the info.

[nunae5]

awesome article thanks

[dodoman]

great article cst.
if you may, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE DODO LIL SECRET.

use chapstick on your spool after taping.
then pack it tight with spectra.

THIS ALLOWS NO salt corrosion TO YOUR SPOOL

[Walt]

Nice , useful information.

[TunaTickler]

Would be a good Sticky!! Thanks Cst..

[souvanh559]

Thanks for the tip. Ive always use my feet to hold to line. This seems better.