Eliminating Line Twist

[zelek]

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to put new mono on spinning reels and eliminate the line twist??

I've tried putting the line down through the guides, attaching to the spool and reeling it on. I've watched closely to see if line twist is developing and then flipped the supply over. I still get lots of line twist.

During the open water season I just let a bunch of line out behind the boat and the twist is gone. That's not an option now though. I could drill a hole over the basin of a deep lake, but what a hassle.

There has to be a good way to put it on from the beginning. Anyone??

[Deitz Dittrich]

You dont have to put your line in the water.. just start walking.. the snow when you reel the line back in should take out the twist in your line.

I too just reel in a few times with the spool facing up and then turn the spool(fill spool) over and turn a few handle turns and re-check...I'm not so sure there is a fool proof way.

Good luck!!!!

[delmuts]

zelek. when putting line on; run it through one or more guides of the rod. then as you start reeling a few yds. stop and allow some slack in the line between the rod and spool. if you get twist, then flip the spool over. if the line is a little old, you may still get some. what i do is to go outside and let all of the line out on grass or snow. drag it a little ways , then reel the line back on( i do this quit often in the summer). also remember that some of the biggest causes of line twist are; turning the handle to close the spool.( close the spool with your hand instead) reeling against the drag ( don't), and lures.( you can avoid some of this problem by tying a swivel a little ways above your lure ). you may still get some line twist, but this should help. del

[Moose-Hunter]

Hi zelek..

I think del has it about right. I don't think you'll ever be able to eliminate twist, but you can reduce it. just due to design and function, spinning reels induce twist. I've tried the "flipping spool" trick with very limited success. Sometimes it works... Sometimes it does not... Since the open water method is a bit tough right now... You can try this... Fill the reel, then take a walk around the house with your bail open. Don't tie the line on anywhere, just let it all out. CAREFULLY!! Knots and tangles should be avoided. Then, holding the line between a damp papertowel, re-trace your steps, while reeling in and all the while, keeping a bit of tension on the line going through the paper towel. Not only does this eliminate a good bit of twist, it also "straightens" out line that is classically stiff.

Note... This is NOT to be attempted in a busy household. Children, wives and pets of all kinds can make this procedure a real nightmare. But it does work to some degree... Good luck.

[Jackpine Rob]

When putting on the new line, I thread the line through the guides, lay the spool on the floor, and using a damp towel, apply pressure with the hand not operating the reel on the line as far from the reel as I can comfortably reach. The best way to accomplish this with a spinning rod is to sit on a chair with the rod at a 45 degree angle to the floor, spool directly below tip of rod, butt of the rod resting on the edge of the chair and between your legs.

The damp towel reduces the heat from friction created by putting pressure on the line, and the pressure also assures that the line goes on the reel smoothly and compactly. You will need to rearrange the towel once or twice because the heat from the friction will dry it out where it makes contact with the line.

[blue_healer_guy]

And I thought it was just me! Whew!

[BDR]

Best way I have found is to run a pencil thru hole in spool, hold with my toes against floor so I can add needed resistance, spool it up. I have found having the line run out the top of spool does a better job. I do run the line thru the guides also

[iffwalleyes]

The best thing that I have found are the super lines out there. Fireline and Power Pro never twist that is the great thing about it. The is one of the reason I switched was because iut doesn't twist.

[scalescratcher]

I've had my best success tossing the spool in a bucket of water. I haven't had problems with winding wet line and the spool free floats which allows it to spin and or flip as I wind which seems to minimize twist.

[Dano2]

I do it the way BDR does, or I have the wife hold the pencil on each end for me, but she gets bored very fast when it comes to my hobby. Also, pay attention to Moosehunters "NOTE", I was putting new line on once with my two labs horsen around by me, you can imagine.

[buzbunni]

Plenty of advice on helping to eliminate the line twist issue when spooling.

Let me add this: This year I started using swivels on most of my spinning setups. I'm sure in some instances it doesn't matter, but it has most certainly been an advantage in other situations. I have out fished my buddy who was not using a swivel in a couple of cases(not a scientific experiment by any means, many variables here...never-the-less...). It also helps me with the "fishing with confidence" factor, and we all know how important this can be.

I remember some of those with cameras commenting on how the fish just watch spinning lures and don't hit them until they stop spinning(if at all). That comment was enough for me to put some tiny ant swivels on most of my panny and walleye rigs.

[Smokey]

I also do it the way BDR does, but a word of caution. One evening, after re-spooling my 2 levelwind musky reels, I noticed a couple of sets of parallel marks in our vinyl kitchen floor. I tried to wipe them off with a rag but it turns out that I had burned right through the top layer of the flooring! My better half was not very happy.

[luckyc]

I do it a little differently. I take the spools off the reel and fasten them to my cordless drill with a threaded bolt (bolt that fits thru center hole, o-ring-spool-o-ring ,then the nut, then lay the new spool of line on a towel. Then with one hand I guide(with tension) the line onto the spool while running the drill with the other hand until the spool is a 1/8 inch from full. This way the line goes back on the same way it comes off the new spool. One word of caution, if there's not a arrow for line direction on your reel spool, put one on there or you'll be reversing the process to take it back off to turn your spool around. Hope this helps, you will need four or five different size bolts depending on whether it's a UL,Med or whatever size reel you have.

[Farley]

I do the pencil thru spool method also, but I'm gonna try the drill this spring when I rig up my open water rods. That sounds like a quick way to do it.