Spectra Line Reel break in

[jkcam]

I had a tough time with some new Spectra line yesterday. I've been told that I should have done "reel break in" before I started casting with the new line. I'm sure I should have done something since I was getting knots in the line on the way out of the guides on hard casts in breezy conditions.

So, what is this "reel break in" business all about?

Thanks for your education of an ignorant fisherman of 50 years. Help!!

[Digger]

I don't know what the reel break in is.

But it sounds like wind knots, which from my experence is caused from loose line. The stuff fluffs quickly. You need to get the line on tight with no loose spots and those knots suck.

[jkcam]

Digger

I called the shop today and asked them what they meant by the "reel break in". Here's the deal and I sure wish they had told me this before I left the shop after shelling out $50.
When they spool a reel with a power spooler it is not on the real in the same fashion as when it is spooled by the reel itself. So, this is the theory, when it comes off, it does not come off evenly and pulls other line with it causing the knots. I could buy this theory on a level wind casting reel but on a spinning reel, with the bale open, I can't see that it should make that much of a difference. I'm no expert so I am just not sure that the explaination is accurate. The shop owner said that whenever he spools braid on his own reels, before he casts them, he walks out 100-150 feet of line and then reels it back in. That is his "reel brake in". I sure wish I had known this when I left the shop.

Mono Man
Jim

[Digger]

Well I will blow that out of the water. Last nite I broke out a spool of power pro that was spooled up with 200 yards of 30. the guy spooling itwas wearing gloves to put pressure on the line and I had no problems. Now the pulling off the line and putting it back on under tension would do the same. I feel the shop should have told you to do this before fishing this line if it is a "Known Issue" with techinque.

[jkcam]

Well I will blow that out of the water. Last nite I broke out a spool of power pro that was spooled up with 200 yards of 30. the guy spooling itwas wearing gloves to put pressure on the line and I had no problems.

Digger

BA BING!! Man that just snapped my mind back to when I had a different shop spool braid a couple of years ago. The guy wore gloves and put some pressure on the line as it went on. Never had a problem with the line. This is the second time I have been dissapointed by this current shop. Very nice guy, trying to run a small business by himself. I just can't keep paying premium and getting less than premium service. But you had this one figured out 100%!! You'd think a guy that ran a shop would have known this. :mad:

[Drumdum]

I usually just spool it right off the spool manually,with label side up and gloves on.. Most tackle shops down here aren't going to use gloves and put a lot of tension on the line.. Doesn't take that long and not very difficult,and will save you the windknot problem.. Closing the bail manually will help as well.. ;)

[jkcam]

Drumdum

Yep, I agree. It isn't that big a deal to do it yourself. I will most likely give it another try. I do manually close the bale almost 100% of the time, but this go around was when the line was on it's way out of the reel. It "twanged" going out through the guides. Oh, well, live and learn.

Thanks for the input.

jim

[BubbaBlue]

I used to have the same problem. Also occasionally had loops get pulled from lower down on the reel on a cast.

I started soaking my Power Pro in warm water for 15 min like you do for mono, and putting tension on the line while loading. Haven't had the problem since.

Even though it looks water proof, wetting the line seems to help it lay down better on the initial load.

.

[jkcam]

BubbaBlue

This is one of the reasons that I really like this forum. I have never soaked mono in warm h2o before spooling, never knew I should, but it makes sense. Always picking up techniques around here. Thanks,

Jim
former resident, Epping Forest, Annapolis
now Palm City, Florida.
wow, my pool water is 58F it's freezing down
here, how about up there?

[BubbaBlue]

Soaking line. Lukewarm, not hot. Put tension on when loading by grabbing with a glove or folded over duct tape.

Weather here = pretty brutal today. 10F last night... wind chill way below 0... got up to maybe 20 today with stiff winds. One inch of white stuff last night. Supposed to recover back to maybe 40 tomorrow.
First cold snap... makes it feel even colder.

Your pool water is 58? If it was up here you would need an ice pick.

OBTW, I'm from Pensacola originally.

Rick
aka

[rattler]

i've soaked mono in warm water, but only higher test(20+)...on lighter line, i make sure i put tension on the line when using lighter lures...on braids...the same thing seems to work as long as the line was spooled tight to begin with...but i still get wind knots if throwing lite baits, so i put pressure on the retrieve...seems to work...14 here this morning...60mph gusts on the cbbt...got up to 27...47 tomorrow,55 wed, and 65 thurs...got to love variaty