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Spooling a reel alone (35 posts / 4,763 views)
Gubzy Gubzy
Posts: 407
Post #1 3 Mar 2020 22:26
0
Is there a way to spoil a reel alone or do I need someone to help me? I've just bought some Shimano Technium mainline and want to put it on my reel ready to go fishing in Saturday for the first time this year...
framey framey
Posts: 5,319
Post #2 3 Mar 2020 22:49
0
In reply to Post #1
I can put a pencil through the spool holes and grip it in between my feet
It does burn though lol

Failing that you can get a spooling device to help with suction cups on it.
Can put the spool in. A bowl of water and let it turn whilst you are winding
There is a few ways to do it
NemesisWitch NemesisWitch
Posts: 1,423
Post #3 4 Mar 2020 06:35
3
In reply to Post #1
Give it some flowers
Smufter Smufter
Posts: 3,631
Post #4 4 Mar 2020 06:47
0
In reply to Post #1
I've got a Tuppaware pot that holds a bulk spool perfectly. Fill with warm water, let it soak for a while and then spool on through fairly firm forefinger and thumb. The water helps stop your fingies burning.
Jw1993
Posts: 201
Post #5 4 Mar 2020 07:18
0
In reply to Post #4
I do the same, think they're designed for cereal, got mine from Sainsbury's
Smufter Smufter
Posts: 3,631
Post #6 4 Mar 2020 07:22
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In reply to Post #5
Yep.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/113848220184?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=113848220184&targetid=942082321197&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045117&poi=&campaignid=9437741489&mkgroupid=98511298289&rlsatarget=aud-629407025185:pla-942082321197&abcId=1140496&merchantid=115194727&gclid=CjwKCAiAnfjyBRBxEiwA-EECLHuB_2nkNmnkcPRl9z9Qk4bq2JSEm9OMOd0zlOegAfFcYwedobVl7RoCOfEQAvD_BwE
yonny yonny
Posts: 7,934
Post #7 4 Mar 2020 07:30
0
In reply to Post #1
It's easy mate.
Gardner did a good vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q9aDF8fXRA
Golden-Paws Golden-Paws
Posts: 251
Post #8 4 Mar 2020 07:37
0
In reply to Post #7
I found that reeling it in so the spool rotates in a bucket of water creates less twist as that is the way it is loaded on at the factory.
Chuffy Chuffy
Posts: 6,794
Post #9 4 Mar 2020 08:16
2
In reply to Post #1
This is how I do it with mono, that's a cut down milk carton BTW, would have had more water in to start with as well

daveman daveman
Posts: 2,377
Post #10 4 Mar 2020 11:27
0
In reply to Post #9
Strange, I always load mine reel with the spool end up coming off anticlockwise so it equals and removes the twist direction of the rotor. Always had huge line twist loading from a spinning spool. I know it has been loaded on the factory like that but unless you are using a centre pin reel that would load the same as it went on and is coming off surly it would create a twist if you have a straight direct feed of line being pulled by a rotating force.
Chuffy Chuffy
Posts: 6,794
Post #11 4 Mar 2020 11:32
0
In reply to Post #10
I've done it both ways in the past but settled on this method and never had a problem
How To Load Mono Onto Your Reels
Halfcentury
Posts: 1,284
Post #12 4 Mar 2020 11:48
0
In reply to Post #1
Been using the same method as chuffy since I was shown it as a kid a very long time ago. Never had a problem
yonny yonny
Posts: 7,934
Post #13 4 Mar 2020 11:51
0
I believe that lines can be loaded at the factory using different methods (oscillating and radially). This will mean the method for loading your spool is different depending on thee brand.
The key is to check for twisting as you're spooling up.
Gubzy Gubzy
Posts: 407
Post #14 4 Mar 2020 12:25
0
This any good for re spoiling?

- Fishing Line Spooler | Advanced Suction Cup & Spool Control | For Use With Any Size Spool https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TH5UKAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2m4xEbSJHM5YS
Gaius_Bell
Posts: 208
Post #15 4 Mar 2020 13:35
0
Is there really a need to soak the spool if using mono? I can understand the need if using braid, but I have loaded many reels over the past 30 years dry for all aspects of fishing and never had a problem with line twist or coils bedding into themselves....
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #16 4 Mar 2020 13:36
0
In reply to Post #15
I'm the same, never bother soaking it
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #17 4 Mar 2020 13:36
0
In reply to Post #14
Yes it's fine. It's respooling btw
POC POC
Posts: 2,650
Post #18 4 Mar 2020 16:20
0
In reply to Post #14
Wind it in using tension as well. Hold a wet cloth on the blank with the line passing through.
Gubzy Gubzy
Posts: 407
Post #19 4 Mar 2020 17:18
0
In reply to Post #18
On the blank?
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #20 4 Mar 2020 18:05
0
In reply to Post #18
I don't bother, I just adjust the spooler to suit
Defiant.one Defiant.one
Posts: 4,344
Post #21 4 Mar 2020 18:55
1
In reply to Post #1
Just get yourself a M6 Bolt a couple of inches longer than your Spool, large 6mm Mudguard /penny washer placed one each side of your spool of line, then a relatively weak compression spring another washer, then a M6 Nyloc Nut.
Put your “Spindle” in a vice; adjust the Nyloc Nut to tension the spring to add enough tension so the spool will stop dead if you stop winding the Reel Handle.

By using this set up you are totally guaranteed exactly the same tension on the line you're loading from start to finish.
Don't worry about coming off the top or off the bottom of the Spool of line, as all line is loaded with zero twist from being spooled at the factory. BUT make sure your Reel Clutch is tight, as your Rotor will add one twist per revolution (And there's nothing anyone on the planet can do to stop that) that's the design of fixed spool Reels.

I've used the same M6 Spindle for over 30 years to load line.
Sparks73 Sparks73
Posts: 547
Post #22 5 Mar 2020 00:12
0
In reply to Post #1
Shimano Technium not a bad choice, however as with all lines don't add warm/hot water to the mix you will get a better
line lay with cold water, if anyone gave any consideration to what even a tepid water temp would do to against a cold temp honestly simple physics
silverfish silverfish
Posts: 2,652
Post #23 17 Apr 2026 06:55
0
I spooled up my SSS2600s with 10lb Hydro-tuf following the side on method in link below.
Tried a few lines and you know with small spools when there may be trouble ahead so 'as recommended'

Loading line the right way ™ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q9aDF8fXRA

Had to turn the bulk spool over.and again and again.

Been really careful, backwound instead playing of off the clutch-- I was given a good beating hard on the clutch by a mid 20 the other day that was heading into some snags but otherwise, QDs set firm and no adjusting the hangers off the clutch.
But in 6 productive sessions it's gone from unruly new line settling in to time to strip off.
I've had slack line kinking up in the water and bird nests around the spools.

So back to the 'old' method today, enough on the spool for one more try then time to buy some GT-80

How to load mono ™ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cWWGPOki8k
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #24 17 Apr 2026 09:49
0
In reply to Post #23
That gardner video method is just trial and error, he is flipping the spool to try and solve the line twist issue, as you should if its twisting up, but he isnt showing a definitive method...
If you check after 30-40yds you can see if twist is starting to build up.

I have used the esp method on esp syncro and had no problems, but different line suppliers will possibly have had their spools loaded in different ways, so you do always have to test it.

LINKY POO™ https://youtu.be/_cWWGPOki8k?si=LAUZgWvE8JbO5lvt

20260325-144149


silverfish silverfish
Posts: 2,652
Post #25 17 Apr 2026 10:47
0
In reply to Post #24
yeah, I just tried both again off the either side caused instant twist within 20m.
I used an old tupperware cereal container, I knew there was a reason I didn't bin it (my excuse) with a delrin dowel through the sides.

re-spooling may be a regular occurence, I've been told that there are a 'few' mussels- noticed a handfull of swims with shells on the bank.
No line damage but I have a spool of 12lb Hyro-tow rope..might be the limit for 2600s.
I'm determnined to keep the skinny 2.25 rods and compact reel set up. 42" net aside i can keep up the pretence that I'm fishing for tench
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #26 17 Apr 2026 23:45
0
I also think a lot of folk confuse line twist with memory. Load a line wet and it behaves totally differently to dry ime. I'm using ESP Syncro XT and loaded it on my big pits wet, no complaints, loaded it dry on my 4000 bait runner and it was exploding off the reel at 1st. It's not a line or reel problem, it just needs wetting and a few casts out.

To me it's a wierd problem. Surely the line should be supplied on the most similar sized spool to people's reels, supplying it on over or under sized spools is asking for issues either way.
silverfish silverfish
Posts: 2,652
Post #27 18 Apr 2026 07:06
0
In reply to Post #26
Memory I can deal with- well accept it or not, a few casts and hopefully a fish or two to stretch the line will sort it out.
Foot long twists before I can get the back lead on are defintely not acceptable.

Larger diameter spools are fine, whether they are bulk spools or line shots they offer the least amount of memory irresprctive of the reel size.
I can remember loading Mitchell 300-Ss with 8-10lb Sensor and Big Game
By the time you got half way into those spools a recast at midnight was almost guaranteed to end in a bird nest
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #28 18 Apr 2026 07:37
2
Still do the spool between the toes on a pencil and a tea towel myself, no bother, recently advanced to a wooden spoon
sirch454 sirch454
Posts: 180
Post #29 20 Apr 2026 10:53
0
In reply to Post #1
A hammer will spoil a reel fairly quickly
Scratch25 Scratch25
Posts: 798
Post #30 21 Apr 2026 10:21
1
In reply to Post #13
I'd agree with this. I used to load GT HD label up without issues. However, at the weekend when loading again, it was going on twisted using this method. Turned the spool on it's side, off a pencil and it went on beautifully. Gardner may have changed their spooling method, who knows, but it pays to be vigilant as you're loading and change accordingly.
ZerkaloAngling
Posts: 36
Post #31 30 Apr 2026 09:58
0
My dad picked me up a Berkley Spooling Station from a car boot and I use that. It's a basic bit of kit but seems to work for me. I think he just got it so he don't have to hold the spool for me anymore.
LeighamFox
Posts: 145
Post #32 30 Apr 2026 16:34
1
I always put a small amount of washing up liquid in the water. It removes any oil or grease from production and helps the line to sink faster. Also take a bottle to squirt on spools while fishing.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #33 30 Apr 2026 17:10
0
In reply to Post #32
If I've not been for a while I always give me spools a few squirts, helps break the surface tension.

20260430-170853

And when loading.

Screenshot-20260430-171225-Facebook
Off_Radar
Posts: 50
Post #34 1 May 2026 19:52
0
In reply to Post #24
I noticed in the video his winding on the line coming front under the spool where your doing it the line coming from the top if that makes sense. Does it make much difference?
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #35 1 May 2026 20:28
0
In reply to Post #34
So he does! Just checked and you are correct. Surprised!
Mine is right, for the esp syncro spools... i have just filled six spools this way.
And another 6 spools recently.

But there is NO INDUSTRY STANDARD so you need to start a certain way, and after 15 or so turns let the line fall slack and see if it wants to twist or its well behaved.

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