Keeping line tight around small ice fishing rod-reel combos

[mr_jman]

I usually prefer jiggle sticks, but have started to TRY and use rod and reel combos more often. However, with these small reels, I find that my line rarely wraps tight around the reel and usually ends up underneath the reel causing a big mess which usually requires me to cut and restring completely. Unfortunately it seems to happen most often while reeling fish in quickly. I have two rods but it happens a lot more often on a very light action "Upper Red" model. I usually fish pannies, crappies, and perch. So I usually am using no more than 4lb. test. I also NEVER use the line provided when I first buy a rod/reel combo.

I just would like to know if there are certain ways I should be wrapping new line when I first put it on? Do certain line types or pound tests work better? Once the line gets that circular pattern (like the line provided when you first buy it) should it be replaced?

Hopefully a few other fisherman out there run into this problem and can provide a few answers and suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

[MuleShack]

I'm by no means an expert on this and can only provide what i use...so here goes.

Last year I tooled up (before I found FM) and got myself a couple of those Genz combo's. They are decent rod and reel combos, but the thing i do like about them is it has a wide spool on the reel. I have seen some that have a very small spool and it is possible that this would be the case in your situation. The smaller spool seems to make the line wrap tighter and possibly cause the issue.

Also loose or twisted line will not wind up as desired in some instances. Also watch the kind of line used to spool the reels.

In regards to the way to wrap it....lay the supply spool flat on the floor or table and start to spool it on the reel turning the handle. after the first couple revolutions you should be able to look at the line between the spool and the reel. If you notice the twists are getting tighter, then flip the supply spool over to the other side and then the twists should get looser. You dont want to load your reel with twisted line to start off with, so make sure the supply spool is turned in the correct side for winding. also put a little tention on the line when spooling so it builds the spool tight and not loose.

The other thing is the line that is used. Some lines have memory and others are limp. I use the berkley ice in 4lb on my panfish gear and i have no issues. I get twists when jigging sometimes, but just have to watch it and unwind.

2 of my Genz rods broke already and have changed them out for the Thorne bros sweethearts, and 2 of the reels are starting to show wear and turn hard, so next year going after some Tica's to replace them.

Moral of the story is get good equipment first and that should help eliminate problems. (not saying you dont have good equipment now, but just saying )

[harleyharry]

I solved the problem that you are having by pre-stretching the line. I use a lot of Stren Ice line. I fill the spool with the proper amount of line. When I spool the line, I put a small dowl through the spool and let it run free while the reel spool is filling.

Then I tie off the line onto something heavy, and let the line out until there is very little left on the spool. At that time, I start stretcing the line. If you are using light line, be careful you do not pull too hard. A few good tugs on the line will pre stretch the line, and then it will wind tighter. As I wind the line back onto the spool, I slowly walk toward what ever I have the line tied to, keeping a slight tension at all time.

This has stopped about all the problems I had with the line being loose or looping back onto the body of the reel.

Hope this helps. It seems like a lot of work, but once you do it a couple of times, it is easy. It also saves removing line and spools in the shack or on the ice.

Harry

[Deitz Dittrich]

Without seeing exactly what is happening, its kinda hard to say.. Try and find a limp line, and dont go too heavy a line for the reel. I have very little problems with this during the winter months... I use 3 different kinds of reels for ice fishing.. I have the Teca Cetus, Shakespear(not sure the name starts with an A) and Shimano Sedona. All have performed quite well.

The key is to not over fill the reel, and keep the line as light(lb test) as possible as its easier to manage. All my crappie and Sunfish rods are spooled with 1.5 lb 2lb and 3lb florocarbon.

[Jameson]

..without seeing first hand it's hard to say...

Are you leaving the bail open on the reel, then when bobber pops are you closing the bail with the reel and taking up loose line before setting the hook? When possible try closing the bail by hand, not by reeling-in. Then reel in any extra line while applying tension to the line(kinda hold the rod and line in non-reeling hand.)

It seems I have the same problem when I reel my line in WITHOUT tension on it.

[slipperybob]

Cheaper budget reels don't have that grooved roller ball. That means it's easy for line to slip off of that. Very stiff line's tend to stay better as well as very limp line. Very stiff line maintains enough tension to hold itself in place. Very limp line doesn't have any tension to unwind itself from spool arbor.

About the only cheap budget reels are good for are deadsticking or heavier then 1/4oz jigging.

Other things that prevent line hassels are mentioned above to include longer rod with more line guides.

4# test maybe use jigs in 1/8 to 1/16 oz in weight. Personally I think Trilene ice line is stiff.

[farmfishing]

I like to use as light as line as i can like 4 lbs or less on smaller reels. When i put the line on i make sure i stretch it out. I take an arm length at a time and give it a stretch and then reel then stretch. Make sure you reel the coil of line the same way as you reel. I only like to put on a hundred feet or less this way it seems to stay in the spool on your rod better. I hope this might work for ya.

[mr_jman]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

To clarify a little better what happens. I never use more than 4lb. test on my small rod reel combo. I most recently used the Cajun Red Ice Line, but will use other "ice" lines as well.

To try and make a visual picture of what happens. The reel is a essentially a circle and the line should wrap around it in a circle, but what happens is the line doesn't sit tight and sits on the reel in an oval shape, some line is tight but on the sides there are gaps which then get caught around the reel.

Also the line sometimes gets caught underneath the reel part that moves back and forth as you reel in. Once this happens it is nearly impossible to continue reeling. I have a hard time watching it happen to know exactly how it happens when it does since I'm not paying attention to the reel.

When I unscrew the reel and remove it the line is wrapped up around the screw and gear on the inside.

Sorry I don't know technical names for the parts to make it easier to understand.

Hopefully this is a clearer understanding of what happens.

[slipperybob]

^

That is exactly how you described it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thanks for the clarification. I understand what is happening. Cajun is very strong line, but is not known for being limp. If you went to a line that was limper, and also maybe a better quality reel, you would have less of this problem. \\Just my opinon.

[bturck]

Here's something I've used for over 30 years when spooling up. I put the spool in water, either filling the sink and placing the filler spool directly or, and this may sound anal, no pun intended, but I have put it directly into the toiler stool, after flushing several times. With the line being wet it seems to remove a lot of the memory as it fills my reel spool, thus eliminating a lot of the coil and loops. As stated, close the bail and apply some tension with your other hand while spooling it up and crank slowly so as to evenly distribute the new line onto your bail. I know some of you will laugh at this, especially the toilet bowl part, but believe me it does work. Good luck and hang on. Bill

[slipperybob]

Some fishing lines perform better after they've been soaked a little. That means they absorbed some moisture and become more limp. At the same time that process works in opposition to ice fishing. Water freezes on you.

[GoFish4]

I have never used the Cajun line, but I would think if you added some tension when you originally fill the spool it will stop some of this. As far as it getting under the spool while you are using it I would tend to belive you need to upgrade that reel. IMO if you go with even a lesser costing reel like shakespear or the like you should not have a problem. I don't have the money for the high end, but I don't have any problems with my rod reel combos. I can find them twords the end of the season for $25-$35 for the pair. Cut off the supplied line, respool and you should be good. Just my $.02