One of the most frustrating issues we contend with when we are fishing is our line coming off the reel. Over time bad “memory” such as loops, twists, and such can accumulate in fishing line. These issues can lead to the line not feeding off the reel as smoothly as it should.
How do you stop your fishing line from coming off the reel? You can stop your fishing line from coming off the reel by taking steps to prevent your fishing line from deteriorating quickly. This involves:
- Selecting the right fishing line
- Spooling the line onto the reel correctly
- Taking steps to avoid “backlashing” of the line
- Keeping the line from getting twists in it
- Replacing your fishing line often
More detailed tips on how to prevent your fishing line from coming off the reel are included below. We will take you through a step-by-step guide on how to spool your line and how to maintain it to prevent it from getting twists in it. We will also discuss methods on how to prevent backlashing of the line from occurring as you retrieve your cast.
Selecting the Right Fishing Line Weight
The fishing line weight you decide to roll with will vary depending upon the species and size of fish you are targeting. Your selection of fishing line will also affect how easily the line will accumulate bad “memory” or loops, twists, kinks, and frayed parts that remain a part of the line as you continue to fish with the same line.
This is especially the case if you are using a monofilament line, which is known for retaining bad “memory,” which will require the line to be replaced to keep it from coming off the reel.
If you are fishing for bass, you will typically select a line with a weight in the range of the 8-12-pound test. In order to prevent break-offs from larger fish, you should consider selecting a fishing line in the upper end of the typical pound test range for the targeted species.
However, when you use heavier pound test lines, you will also have to contend with more issues with twists and loops than you would for monofilament line on the lower end of your preferred pound test range.
How to Spool Fishing Line Into a Reel
If you don’t spool the fishing line onto the reel correctly, you will run into issues with the line getting loops in it as you reel in a cast. Incorrectly spooled fishing line will come off the reel easily. We have you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to spool fishing line onto a reel:
- Take a spool of your line of choice and unravel enough line to make a small loop
- Lead the line through the guides on the pole
- To make the small loop to put around the reel, follow these steps:
- Tie an overhand knot in the line (like the first step when you’re tying your shoe).
- Cut off the tag end so that only the little knot remains on the end of the line
- Form a slip knot by looping the line over itself and pulling the line back through the small loop that is formed
- Take the loop you have made and wrap it around the reel. Make sure the bail is open.
- Tighten the slip knot and cut off the tag end
- Next, you will wind up the line to fill spool on your reel. Do this correctly, to prevent putting twists in your line as you reel the line onto the spool.
- You want the line to be coming off the plastic filler spool you bought at the store in the same direction that you are reeling the spool on your fishing pole
- It is recommended that you find out which direction the line is coming off the spool you bought at the store and note the direction with an arrow drawn onto the plastic surface of the filler spool
- If the two spools happen to be spinning in opposite directions, all you have to do is flip the plastic filler spool around.
One way you can make your life easier when you are spooling line onto a reel is to put the filler reel into a vice that will prevent it from flopping around while you are reeling the line off the spool.
- Keep steady pressure on the line while you are reeling to ensure that the line does not accumulate twists. You can accomplish this by holding the line against the pole in the space below the bottom-most guide of the pole, applying just enough pressure to keep the line straight while still allowing it to pass through onto the reel spool.
- Avoid overfilling the spool to prevent the line from coming off the reel easily. On the opposite end of the spectrum, underfilling the spool will limit your casting distance.
- A general rule-of-thumb is to spool the line until there is a ⅛ inch gap between the edge of the spooled line and the spot where the head of the spool reaches out.
How to Prevent Backlash in Your Fishing Line
Backlash refers to jamming of sections of line along the first guide of the rod. Backlashing will cause your line to accrue issues such as loops and twists and begin coming off the reel.
Steps you can take to prevent backlashing in your spinning reel include:
- Avoid putting too much line on the spool- if you overload the spool with line, the excess line will begin to unravel off the reel easily. Fill the spool until there is roughly a ⅛ inch gap between the edge of the spool and the edge of the lip of the spool head.
- Limit the amount of slack line at the end of the cast- As the line is leaving the spool when you are casting you can limit the amount of slack at the lure end of the line by:
- Putting your index finger on the part of the rod near the tip of the spool to apply pressure on the line as it exits the feed.
- Flipping the bail by hand rather than letting the bail be automatically flipped via a revolution of the reel handle
- This step helps to prevent loops from being wound into the spool as you retrieve your cast.
- After casting, raise the rod tip before turning the reel handle
- This should help ensure that there is proper tension between the reel and the tip of the rod so that slack in the line does contribute to loops and twists later on down the road.
How to Keep Your Fishing Line From Getting Twists
Even if you spool your fishing line correctly, you may still have to contend with twists in the line. These twists accumulate as you cast and reel in your lure. Twists can be the result of the spinning motion of the fishing lure as you retrieve it.
Twists in fishing line can also be caused by rocks, submerged branches, and other debris that becomes caught in your line as you retrieve your casted lure.
Whatever the cause, twists in your fishing line will lead to loops and knots on your reel that cause the line to come off the reel and require you to frequently replace your line. We’ll talk about some things you can use to help keep those loops and twists from forming in the first place.
Swivels
Fortunately, you can eliminate twists in your fishing line via the use of swivels. Swivels are small devices, usually made of metal and consisting of two rings connected by a pivoting joint. Swivels come in handy when you are using lures such as spoons, spinning baits or rigged worms that produce a spinning motion when retrieved.
There are three basic types of swivels available to anglers and you can find them online or fishing shops or sporting goods stores. Here are some of the basics:
· Barrel Swivels- This is the most affordable option when it comes to fishing swivels. Popular barrel swivels include those made by Dr.Fish and Shaddock Fishing (click to see price on Amazon).
· Crane Swivels- This type of swivel might be a little pricier than barrel swivels, but it is also more durable and is recommended when casting for larger fish. Popular crane swivel sets include those manufactured by JSHANMEI and Unclesport (see on Amazon).
· Ball Bearing Swivels- this type of swivel is typically only used for very large fish or when trolling on big water. They are typically used in saltwater sport fishing.
Expert anglers agree that the best way to fish with a swivel in order to prevent line twisting in spinning reels is to attach a barrel swivel with a fishing leader, such as the wire leaders that may be found here (link to Amazon).
Here’s a helpful video on the subject of using swivels in order to prevent twisting:
Setting the Drag
The drag on a fishing pole is designed to keep the line from breaking. It is composed of two friction plates within the reel. If a fish pulls on the line hard enough, the reel rotates backward to prevent excessive force from breaking the line.
The drag system on your fishing pole should be your best friend. However, if you do not set the drag on your fishing reel correctly, the line can accumulate loops and twists. Learning how to do this correctly will save you a lot of headache later.
Here’s how to correctly set the drag on your fishing pole:
- Use the “hand test” to determine your drag setting on a spinning reel- This method involves you grabbing the line directly above where it feeds out of the reel
- If the line pulls too easily, turn the drag knob on the top of your reel a few clicks to the right
- If the line is too stiff and there is not very much give at all, turn the drag knob on the top of your reel a few clicks to the left
- Use a spring scale to precisely judge the drag settings
- An example of a spring scale that can be used for this purpose can be found on Amazon here.
- Hold your fishing pole at a 45-degree angle and hook the spring scale onto the line above where the line feeds out of the reel
- Adjust the drag knob to a point where the line is able to hold 30-50% of its weight prior to moving. For example, a 10-pound line shouldn’t be able to move until the hook is able to hold 3 to 5 pounds
How Often Should You Replace Your Fishing Line?
Keeping your fishing line fresh is a good way to prevent your line from coming off your reel. Over time fishing line accumulates wear and tear that can cause it to form twists and loops that come off the reel.
Old fishing line can also become frayed and may break off in the middle of your next big catch.
It is generally recommended that you replace your fishing line several times a season, especially if you are using a monofilament line.
It is best to use your own judgement when it comes to replacing your fishing line. When you are fishing make sure to routinely do visual inspections of your fishing line. We’ve written an article, which you can get here, that has more tips on how to know when it’s time to replace your line.
The more frequently you replace your fishing line, the better off you will be. There is always the possibility that there may be small kinks or knots in your line that you can’t see.
It will take longer to deal with the mess caused by fishing with inferior line than it will replace the line before your trip. Take the time in the beginning and you’ll save a lot of time on the other end.
Types of Reels
Spinning reels are renown for being simple to use. The bail can be switched open with one simple motion, and the line flows easily off the spool. Spinning reels are a highly versatile piece of an angler’s arsenal, allowing anglers to use a large variety of fishing tackle.
Spincasting reels are a favorite among less experienced anglers. The spool of line is enclosed to prevent a lot of the snarling issues that comes with spinning gear. However, the friction caused by the enclosed spool limits the variety of fishing lures that can be utilized properly.
Baitcasting reels are designed to maximize casting accuracy. This is because anglers using baitcasting reels can place their thumb on the spool while it is unraveling to spot the fishing lure precisely where they want it to land. Tangles in the line may become an issue, especially for inexperienced anglers.
Types of Fishing Line
Monofilament line is an inexpensive type of fishing line. It is commonly used in both spinning and baitcasting reels. It is almost invisible in water and easy to cast.
Braided lines are designed to stretch less than monofilament lines, leading to stronger hook sets. Braiden lines are typically three to four times stronger than monofilament lines of the same diameter.
How do I Stop Fishing Line From Coming Off the Reel?
To summarize, here are the steps you will want to take to prevent your fishing line from coming off the reel. These steps are described in further detail above:
- Select the right fishing line weight- Choosing fishing line that is rated too high or too low for your equipment will give you problems with your line. Monofilament line at a higher pound test rating is necessary for bigger fish but comes with a consequence that heavier monofilament line more readily accrues loops and twists.
- Spool your fishing line correctly- If the filler spool you bought from the store and the spool on your fishing reel is not moving in the same direction, you will have problems with your line down the road
- Prevent backlash in your fishing line- backlashing occurs when a line you are retrieving becomes tangled in the first guide of your rod. Backlashing of fishing line can be prevented by limiting the amount of slack line feeding into the reel during retrieval.
- Using swivels to prevent twisting of your line- Swivels are recommended when you are using lures with a twisting motion such as spinnerbaits
- Adjust your drag to prevent your line from becoming a mess- to little or too much tension in your fishing line can lead to trouble.
Replace line as it accumulates wear and tear- It is better to be more safe than sorry when it comes to deciding when it’s time to put a new line on your reel. Line can accumulate loops, twists and kinks that you might not even notice at first. Replacing your line in the middle of your trip is a major pain.