Hi,

Going to be spooling up with braid for the 1st time this weekend.

Should you soak in water like mono and if so how long?

Also has anybody got any pictures of a good level to fill the spool as I believe you go a bit more under filled vs mono?

Tia

In reply to Post #1
I always spool braid wet....it's the only way I can get a tight lay on the reels.
Some hints....
It pays to have a little mono laid on the reel first if not using backing...I found on a couple of reels that the braid slipped when direct to the spool under load..perhaps a few turns of insulation tape either under or over the braid may have prevented this.
Braid will cut fingers if tensioned like mono when spooling...use a rag or gloves.
I drop the spool in water and wind it slowly after a couple of minutes.....if you wind fast after a few layers the braid on the manufacture's spool is still nearly dry. This is especially with a fused braid as the coating is waxy.
Keep the level 1/8" below the lip.
Be prepared to add or remove line lay washers...braid lays different to mono.
Unfortunately I don't have a hosting site account for pic.s.
There are thousands of videos on line regarding spooling braid...watch a few tonight rather than the poo that is on T.V.

In reply to Post #1
I spool mine up with the braid in a bucket of water

In reply to Post #2
Great advice , I do the same

Hi Neil

Although I agree with most of what wilberforce posted, for me it depends on the type of braid you're planning on using.
The manufacturers seem to be leaning to non water absorbent braid as the best option which kinda negates the pre soaking ideas.
Check with what the manufacturer recommends

Best

Jon

In reply to Post #1
I've been using braided lines since the early 90's, in the earlier years, that was mainly for lure fishing, but then started ti use as main lines for carp, pike and cats - never felt the need to load wet and you could be asking for trouble, as the dye will seep and stain. Remember spectra braid is white in its natural state... just back the spool with mono to avoid slippage and then load under tension - simple way to do this is to take an old towel between your knees and pass the line through as you wind it onto the reel, maintaining pressure my pressing your knees together. That's how I load it and I get excellent line lay and wind knots are very rare for me. All my spinning, multiplier and bait casting reels are loaded with braid, that's around 60 spools if you count spares. The only thing you need to do is load it under tension, it does not need to be wet to achieve that. Ask the same question on a lure fishing forum and this is that answer you'll get

I'm not fussed about soaking it but I will do it wet, just to keep the heat down when adding tension. It generates a lot of heat going through a cloth/towel so the spool sits in a bucket, and the towel is also wet

In reply to Post #7
Agree, no need to soak, just pop it in a bucket with enough water to just cover it and spool straight away.

All spooled up yesterday so thanks for all the advice.

I reversed the line method so I got them all filled spot on, a proper ball ache in the end but worth the effort to take the guess work out.

Just thinking. If I should add a flurocarbon leader now?

In reply to Post #9
Just thinking. If I should add a flurocarbon leader now?

Wouldn't be a bad idea until you get used to playing fish on braid, it will give you a bit of a buffer (unlike leadcore) even if just 5 or 6 foot