Spin Fishing
Techniques
Spinning Gear Tips &Techniques.
All I'd like to do here is supply the tips that have helped me in the past to overcome some of the frustrations involved with the use of spinning gear.
Loading line: Probably the most important issue of all, loading the line on your reel properly will save a pile of headaches.
Only load line lb. test that your reel is rated for, if you exceed it, you'll have problems. Purchase a reel made for the line lb.test or strength that you want to use.
Put the line on the reel the same way it comes off the
filler spool, 99% of the time that is with the label facing up. Lay the
spool flat on the ground and take the line off the label side of the
spool (do not put a pencil through the filler spool and roll line off
that way), guide it through the rod guides from the tip guide first. Bring
the line to the reel, OPEN THE BAIL, tie the line on with your
favorite knot, or see the "
fishing knots link " at the top
and bottom of these pages. The "arbor knot" is designed for
this purpose. Nearly any knot will do as long as it will cinch down onto the spool and not be loose. Next, shut the bail
on the reel and begin winding the new line on.
IMPORTANT: After
about 10-15 cranks of the reel, dip your rod tip down near the filler
spool and check to see if the line twists up while slack. If it twists a
lot, then turn the filler spool over and try it again. Choose the side
that developed the least amount of twisting. Once you have the right
side up on the filler spool, begin cranking on your line while holding
the line above your last line guide so the line goes on tight. Fill your
spool just short of full. Do not over fill. You should now have a
properly filled spool of line on your reel.
Advantages of spinning gear:
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Gives you the ability to reach the bottom quicker in deep moving water because you can leave your bail open while the jig sinks. The jig sinking on a slack line is important (see jigging link on this page) .
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Allows you to cast much lighter lures than casting gear can because the bail is open while the lure is in flight, almost friction-free.
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Gives you the ability to have multiple spools of line in different lb. tests ready to change in seconds. Change spools if you break off or just want to go down or up in line strength. It's quite nice to have one spool rigged with mono and the other with Fireline or your favorite no-stretch line. You are then ready for jigging deep or fishing shallow and stealthy.
Disadvantages:
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Line twist, by design, they "spin" the line onto the spool, so if your cranking the reel while the drag is slipping, your magnifying the line's twist. Just remember that when you're reeling, you're spinning line onto the spool, and when you cast, the line un-spins off the spool.
Tip: Do not crank the reel if your drag is slipping. You either wait for the run to stop, pull back on the rod to give it more arch, thus creating more friction on the line guides, or (one click at a time) tighten the drag until the run stops, then you may crank on the reel while pumping with the rod to bring the fish in. -
Line is exposed to sunlight that can significantly reduce it's strength and flexibility over time. So unless you have no other alternative, don't store your rods in direct sunlight or rig some covers that protect the line from the sun.