How To Spool A Spinning Reel With Braid (Avoid These Common Mistakes) 

To get our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/2NMfeYS

I've always spooled my spinning reels with my grandfathers Webster's Dictionary 2nd edition from 1934. It's 3350 pages, and it applies the perfect amount of pressure to the line - thus eliminating the need to apply pressure by hand. If anyone uses a book to do this - I would suggest to use a more modern book - because apparently a webster's dictionary from 1934, without fishing line damage, is worth around $1000...

I'm so glad you used the pencil method of holding that spool. When I saw that i was like, "I remember holding it on a pencil and putting slight tension on it with my thumb while my dad spooled his reels. Now my daughter does it for me. Let your kids help, it makes them proud to know they helped spool a reel. Nothing looks better to a kid than a spooled reel that they caught the fish on.

Once the spool is filled and you walk out your 100 yards, don’t cut the line and retie for a “future reference point”. Use a Sharpie marker and color about an inch to mark that 100 yard point. That way you only tie a knot the second time you need new line. Tight lines my friend.

The holes in crocs hold a pencil/line setup real nice!

I use another way to make sure I have the right amount of line on the spool but using the entire spool of 150 yds of braided line. My reels will also take more than 150 yds. of braid, so I START with the braid on the spool and use the entire spool. When I get to the end, I attach my mono and fill the rest of the spool to where I want. You use 1/16 inch as a gauge, which is good. Some spools have a line inside the lip of the spool as a gauge. When I get that mono on, I cut it then take it to a field or lot and tie the mono to a tree. Pull all of the line off the spool. Go back to the tree and take the mono and tie to the spool and re-spool all of the line (using your wet towel to add tension). When you get to the end of the braid, you'll have exactly the amount of line on the spool needed, utilizing an entire 150 yd. spool of braid. During the course of a year, you'll cut and retie leaders and remove any braided line with abrasion, so I will also pull the entire length of the braid off and retie the mono to the opposite end of the braided line. (chances are that end never saw the light of day if you catch average-sized fish). If there is a significant amount of braided line removed at the end of the year, you can add more mono to bring the spool fill back to the level you like to help avoid "wind knots".

Thank you!! You just proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks!! The walking off 100 yards and cutting and doing another uni is very smart. Thank you

I'm 72, but been a bait casting guy all of my life....so spinning is new to me.....as is this new type braided line.....not what we used to call braided....LOL. You did a great job of instructing on a level that a beginner could follow and understand, and I really appreciate your effort in teaching others.. Thanks, Larry

Thanks, Luke. I’ve always used mono. The Salt Strong posts have expanded my knowledge. This was a great post full of nifty tricks to economize.

I totally agree with the comments below. This video lesson is far and a way the best presentation I have seen on how to spool line onto a spinning reel. The content, the delivery and the voice were all easy to understand even for some of us Aussies Down Under. Many thanks.

I’ll use your method when I respond my reel. I’ve been using the label up method with less than satisfactory results. I see the logic in your process. Thanks.

I use the Pflueger President XT reels in size 30, because they are light, strong and more importantly they hold 160 yards of 10lb braid, so a standard 150 yd spool works perfectly. They also have a braid ready spool that doesn’t need mono under it. I also buy 300 yd spools to split between two reels to save money on braid.

I purchased a Shimano reel an looked at countless RU-vid videos to learn how to spool it. They were all telling me to spool the reel with the label up. Right before I started spooling, I looked at the reel's instructions. Shimano says to spool it exactly like you are telling us in this video. That's how I went about it instead and it seems to work perfectly. No issues. No label up guys!

Thank you for the advice. Truly appreciated.

This worked great for me with a new salt water reel and 30-lb braid. I didn't have a cardboard box the right shape so I made a holder out of a cigar box. Thanks, Salt Strong!

Just watched this again this year. Always a great tutorial whether originally or as a refresher.

I like to tie the FG knot when connecting the backing to the braid. If you ever start to get low on braid, it can catch on the mono tag end when casting/pulling drag, even if you still have enough braid to make a cast

Awesome video man! I spool my rods annually myself and always have trouble with the backings. That cardboard box trick is genius! I'm sure my friends are sick of me saying "hey, hold this for a minute". Cheers and tight lines!

Been fishing 60 years. Still learning. Thanks about respooling🎣🎣

Thanks loads! I'm new to everything, and this was so helpful for me. Many great tips, and easy to understand information. Saved me some money and time that I would have spent getting it wrong! Thanks again. ☺

Shucks..im a novice and I was about to put the braid line straight on then I saw this....I never knew there's so much insight to just setting up the braid line on your reel.... your video is so informative and awesome thank you so much sir for all your amazing tips and tricks 👌🙏🙏🙏

Thank you so much for the information!

Thank you for the video I use to go straight braid and wonderd why at times it would just spin and not be able to reel in lol. Now I kno to put mono 1st and thank you I will be useing the uni knot aswell. I got to new reels I will be putting in braid in. This video helped so much

Thank you, your content is exceptional, the advice in this video about 100 yards is just brilliant 'I walk out exactly a 100 yards and then I cut it', wow a reel money saver that advice, like halves what someone might spend on line for the reels lifetime.

Great information! Was using clockwise to clockwise and still had windknots. Not over spooled! Now I know, thanks.

Thanks for a terrific instructional video! The cardboard box and pencil technique for the win! A helpful wife, girlfriend, or child in a helpful mood works well too, and can be more fun, but failing that, whatever else, the box and pencil work and don't talk back.

Great video....using braid for the first time this year. Thanks!!!

Great information! Well explained, thanks!!👍🏻👊🏻

Don't forget to advise using the original line to get double line life by pulling the braid off in a large area and tying it back on in reverse direction. You can easily get 4-6 years of use on one 150 yd spool. If you are a real penny pincher, lay out half a spool in an open area and wind it on the reel. Then attach mono backing and wind it on until the reel is full. pull the entire line off the reel in an organized fashion and rewind it mono backing first. Use a couple years, reverse the braid only, use a few more years then replace the braid with the other half of your original spool. Braid yardage wound on and spool size purchased will vary with you reel size and fishing style but, you will be dollars ahead vs mono that breaks down pretty quickly in the sun.

Thanks a helpful video. God to see the uni knot as well. It's what I've used for a while and never let me down

You guys are awesome! I have used your videos over and over! Thank you!

Great tutorial, awesome. Thank you for the money saving trick and lesson on line twist!!!

Nice tutorial video, thanks for sharing.

An arbor knot is a slip-loop with a stopper knot in the tag end. You put it over the spool and cinch it up until the stopper knot comes up tight, then trim the tag. You install it so the reel winds the line on pulling the knot tight. Just thought I'd add that.

Great way to add line and i will no doubt try it. And always use the double uni as well but was surprised you did not wet the knot when you cinched them up

Great tip Luke learn something everyday love that tip cutting the line never thought of that 🤔

Just a tip: When loading a spinning reel the reel wraps in one direction. Make sure the Line comes off the spool in the same direction the reel wraps. No twist. I know you do it different but for years this worked best for me.

Awesome video. Thanks for the information.

Great video ,thanks for the tip's on spooling I measure out the braid as you suggested then after 12months I reverse it effectively doubling the life of the braid cheers tight lines.

Came here for the braid info. My father taught this method to my brother and I when we were kids (me about 10yo). He'd hold the line spool with a pencil, and I'd reel it on. Always Stren. We are both in our 60's now 😀 Good upload and info at your website.

The one thing that I like to do after I put line on my reels is when I go out on my boat I let the line out until it's completely off the reel. Can I use my fingers and start cranking and since the line is in the water you don't have to worry about burning your fingers. I find that gives me a nice tight wrapping and I do that for all of my reels spinning and baitcasting. I do like your tip about not using all your expensive line to fill up the reel. Since it looks like winter might finally be over here where I live it's time to start putting new line on. I'm definitely going to take your advice and do that instead of using the good stuff all the way through. I enjoyed your video thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Excellent narration of the proper technique of spooling a reel. Thank you young man.

Amazing tip thank you for sharing!

You’re a great teacher bro. Keep it up!

Excellent!! Thanks for the tips for newbs like me!

I think this is one of the best tutorials out there. Just everything is straight to the point. But i have a question. Should the base mono line be thinner than the actual braid line?

Great around video! Thanks.

Great pro tips from Salt Strong!! I can't add much to the comments, that already were mentioned on this channel. Thanks for posting.

Really well explained. Thanks for posting.

Excellent. Thanks buddy.

Very useful video. An important issue easy to not give thought to. Many thanks 🇬🇧

Great video, very informative. Thank you!

Years ago, I bought a clip on line winder, to hold the spool of line. Keeps tension, and un-spools with ease. Love it.

Great video thanks for the information 👍

Yet another stellar video, Luke. One question, in your experience does it matter if the line is spooled off the top or or bottom of the OEM spool?

Great vid,thanks.

Have you ever done color comparisons for braid? Which color is best

Excellent explanation of how and why

Outstanding video!!

Awesome very informative and easy to understand video , thank you for making this and making it look so easy.

Excellent in depth comparison

Never done that before, but now im confident. Thank you so much!

Hey there,i was fishing now for about 14 yrs, I'm always looking for fishing tips, today's lesson was awesome,i learned something different, something new, something that will make me a better fisherman,HATS off to you and thanks very much

Good trick on the re-spool!

The best spooling tutorial I have ever seen!

Nice video. I do what you do. Then I attach the line to the fence and back off as far as I can then put a good stretch the line. Take out all the links. Works for me.

I learn stuff everytime I watch your videos

Thank you great vido✌🏻🎣

Great content every time !!!

Put the braid on first then fill the spool with mono. Wind it back onto a 12 inch hand spool then spool the reel back

Good stuff, thanks

Hay Luke great video thanks for your time and help 😊

Why not unspool the braided line and respool it in reverse I've done it this way and it works, I had to fish on a budget

Thanks for sharing

I always put the braid on first, then fill it to the max with mono. Then Stretch it out in the yard and reverse it. Also helps remove some twist.

a better tip if you doesnt have extra spool from same type, 1.reel up first the PE to the reel, 2.reel up backing over the braid, 3.reel all on another spool (doesnt matter what) so the braid is over the backing, 4.reel up once more to get braid under the backing(monofilment), 5.reel up the actual reel >>> and there you go no waste of braid cuz you need all the braid ussualy :) knots and rubbing make you loose braid from time to time :) So if you have 2 spools its just 1 rewind but moust of the new reels doesnt come with 2 spools sadly. cheers gr8 video!

Since most of us aren't typically throwing 100 yards per cast, that's a great tip about the second knot marker! Thank you.

Excellent tutorial- thanks. Just starting out and there’s a lot for me to learn.

Great video. Clear and concise. Thanks.

Thank you so much good info.

Luke you are the first guy I've ever met that said that even though I've been doing my reals like that for years because it just makes sense. When it comes off the spool it will have no twisting it the other way it will be twisted.

Great video. Keep up the good work🤘

Excellent tips . . . answered my questions. Thank you!

Sufix 832 advanced super line braid is by far my favorite braid. I have used it all and it's just hands down great braid. I catfish weekly and have had some of it on my reel for 2 years and it's going strong still.

Thank you for making a fantastic, highly informative video. I learned so much from this. Well done.

Thank you so much you answered alot of questions. I was putting line on my pole and it got tangled and I had to cut the knot out. Is it ok that i tied the double uni knot to fix it?

Great video; I'm going to use the cardboard box trick and the mono to braid method next time!

Thanks for the tips. Never liked spooling , but after this video I feel alot better.

This is by far the best video I've seen on this subject. The knot tying instruction was also very clear and easy to understand. Thank you!

Great instructional video

Great advice and video! Thank you!!

yeah boy! thanks for this video 🙏

Thanks for the tip.. 👏❤️👌

Great ideas. Great video

I like the walk out 100 yds, cut and retie idea. Hadn't heard anyone else mention it, THNX! 🎣😊👍🥳🎣

Awesome info! Thank you sir.

Great video..thanks....

Absolutely great video, thanks 💯💯🔥🤙🏽

Great tip to safeguard braid line waste!! thx

Thank you, Very nice.