largemouth bass fishing tips
How do I spool up fishing line on my new Bait Casting reel please?

I have been fishing for years using spinning reels and spin-cast reels but just bought my first Abu Garcia baitcasting rod & reel combo. How do I add the line? Do I just tie it on and reel it in or are there any special methods, tips, or tricks?

Just in case you need to know, I’ll be using low memory 30 lb braided Spiderwire line that is the same thickness as regular 6 lb test on a medium-heavy rod for Texas catfish. I’ll be new to cat fishing but have plenty of experience catching other fish, especially largemouth bass & crappie on medium and light equipment. I do pretty good and can keep up with most the boys. Using a bait-cast reel will be an entirely new experience for me. Any advice is appreciated, especially from the older guys.

Thanks

Well, I suggest you spool your new baitcaster with cheaper Mono line. Learning how to baitcast with Spider-wire Braid could get expensive.

Why?

Although most baitcaster’s of today are infinitely easier to control than older styles, while learning, you’re still going to make a few mistakes and get a few “birds-nests”.

Baitcaster’s tend to function better with higher diameter lines, (esp if your new to casting). Go to your local B & T/Sporting goods store and pick up a 1/4 LB spool of Berkley, Big Game (green) 12LB line- http://www.basspro.com/Berkley®-Trilene®-Big-Game®-Line-1/4lb–Spools/product/15127/-422710

There is 1175 yards of line on a 1/4 LB spool of BG (at $8). If you get a horrible backlash (that needs to be cut out) and you end up having to re-spool your reel, at least your not out $12-$15- EVERYTIME you make a bad cast. (A 1/4 LB spool of BG can completely re-spool your reel about 7-8 times. A $12-$15 spool of 125-150 yards of Braid will only spool your reel HALF-WAY twice- at the most!)

In other words, don’t waste your expensive Braid on learning how to cast your Baitcaster. Once you feel you’ve mastered the technique, THEN think about re-spooling with braid.

Also, when you decide to spool your braid onto your reel, it’s vital to either add about 5-8 yards of Mono backing first or use electrical tape after you tie it direct- this keeps the Braid from spinning on the spool. Here is an interesting video on the procedure- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxZR0ZtvM58

In fact, I suggest using 25-40 yards of 10LB Mono backing- this will fill some of the spool cutting the cost of having to fill the whole reel with Braid.

Another good tip- Once you master casting and start using Braid, a good way to keep from getting horrible backlashes is- cast out your line the furthest distance you’d possibly cast; pull out about 10 yards more of line off the reel; and then use electrical tape to secure the line on the spool. That way, if you get a bad Backlash it can only birds-nest so “far”…..

Bottom-line?? If you intend to use your 6/30 Spiderwire, you should take it to a bait & tackle or sporting goods store that lines reels. Unless your good at tieing a “line to line” connection you could ruin the line OR the reel……..

Hope this helps ya?

Bass Fishing Tips For Spring and Fall