Along with repair concerns, questions about spinning reels are the most commonly asked questions that are asked in a tackle shop. Anglers are always interested in making sure they know how to spool their reels and they are almost always interested in knowing what the heaviest possible line is that their reel will hold. Ironically enough, you don’t really need to ask about this in a tackle shop – nor do you have to work in one to know the answer.
In the northeast, striped bass start invading local rivers in the early spring making it one of the busiest seasons for tackle shops. Fishermen are trying to determine which line is most suited for the best bass fishing. Bass can require line in the 20-lb range and in some cases, even heavier line. The novice fisherman is more likely to have problems with this than the seasoned angler. Too often, the novice will have an undersized reel and expect it will work effectively with this heavier line. This can create poor casting results.
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.
Anglers would have a reel for everything in an ideal universe. Because this isn’t a perfect world, I usually tell them to have a reel set for the heavy fish, at the least. If they can’t afford this, or simply do not want to fool with it, I then recommend using braided line. Braided line offers a significantly smaller diameter than traditional mono, often nearly double the pound-for-pound test. This gives fisherman heavy line on a smaller-diameter spool without giving up a good cast. This thin diameter, combined with no memory retention and slippery coating, makes braided much smarter for improving cast distance. Nevertheless, the drawback is that it is not resistant to abrasion. To improve this, make sure to use a 3 or 4-ft fluorocarbon or mono leader, too.
One of the biggest mistakes that create problems is reel that is not filled properly. Remember, the recommended line amounts are on your reel for a reason – this is the optimal amount of line for optimal fishing. Under-filling a reel or over-filling hampers casting. The rule of thumb for optimal casting is to fill your reel to about one eighth of an inch below the rim – this will help ensure the best possible casting results.
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 975, Penn 209, and Daiwa Sealine 30.
