Getting The Most Out Of Your Spinning Reel

December 21st, 2009 Posted in Boating

You will always have customers asking questions and making requests about their spinning reels (and ones they want) if you make a living at a tackle shop. Most anglers want to learn how to spool their reel with line that offers heavier test. They also want to have better casting abilities and discover what line is best for which purpose. However, you don’t have to be employed in a tackle shop to answer these questions and more.

Spring is the most popular season at most tackle shops in the northeastern U.S., as striped bass have begun to occupy local rivers. Know-it-all fishermen understand that they will need line that is geared for heavier prey now, probably in the 20-lb or heavier range. Novices tend to have more problems, hauling in small reels and expecting us to work a miracle with monofilament line that is much too heavy. If we comply, their cast will be affected by this unsuitable diameter decision.

Most fishermen would do well to review the side of their spools. Each reel has a recommended line length and line size. Too often, fishermen exceed these limits only to discover that their casting is not what it should be. Like it or not however, spools are designed to hold certain diameter lines and only certain amounts. Exceeding these limits will definitely create casting problems. It’s important that all fishermen be aware of the limitations of their reels. Monofilament lines remember the shape they take on when added onto a reel. Exceeding limits means that the angler is running the risk of creating a batch of knots when casting and recalling line. The heavier the line, the more it ‘remembers’ the original shape. Opening the bail helps the line cast, but as you slow it down, it causes high friction levels. If an angler doesn’t use some caution, they will spend the rest of their fishing day dealing with a tangled mess that can’t be cast no matter what they do.

Most anglers don’t have the luxury of having a reel for every type of fishing they do. The best case scenario is that they would have reels that are suitable for heavier fish, though many elect not to. If this is the case, the best option is to use a braided line. Although braided line is not as abrasion-resistant, it does still have some benefits. First it is much thinner (based on weight), it has virtually no memory and it’s got a slippery coating that makes it ideal for long casting. You can overcome the issue of abrasion by simply adding a three or four foot leader created from fluorocarbon or monofilament.

One of the most common problems we see is spools that are not filled completely. This lack of recommended line greatly hampers your ability to cast, since it causes an undue amount of friction on the spool’s outer lip once you release the line. Conversely, too much line also hurts your cast, so do your best to keep the spool filled to roughly 1/8 of an inch below the lip.

Common sense is the secret to spinning reel issues. Understanding how your reel works, understanding the best line to use on it and a common sense approach to keeping it filled will result in better overall results. Better overall results with your reel mean that you will enjoy a day of fishing rather than fighting all day with your reel and your line. Make sure that your reel is in proper working order, that you are using the recommended line size and that your reel is properly filled will all combine to make a great day of fishing.

When you are deciding on which type of reel is right for you, doing the proper research is the best thing you could do. There are many manufacturers out on the market today, some of the most popular reels include Penn International 975, Penn 209, and Daiwa Sealine 30.