"Line Saving Techniques"

by Cloudfishing AKA Dennis

These techniques are based solely on my experiences with splicing new line onto your fishing reels.

With the wide variety of fishing reels available on the market today comes a wide variety of line capacities which these reels will hold.   Same is true for the different types of lines their diameters and strength ratings. Nowadays, lines have smaller diameters and stronger test ratings.    I will not go into this box of mixed nuts because there is not enough paper in my printer.

We all have un-spooled all our old line to replace it with new line only to see when we get about two-thirds the way down the spool that the line has not seen daylight since we last put it on!   There is a solution for such wasted line.   Leave it on the reel and learn to tie a blood knot!

The majority of the reels we use in the bays are bait casting types, although that is not to say there is not a bunch of egg beaters (spinning reels) out there also. Since I do not use this type of reel these techniques may not be suitable for people who use these reels.

Let’s cut to the chase.    First, you should arm your fishing pole with the normal tackle you would normally use - popping cork or lure - I don’t care.  Find a place where you can get a decent cast and cast a couple of times to ensure you are getting a good average cast, don’t do a hail Mary cast either, and by the way make sure there are no cats in the area - they give a heck of a fight but they don’t eat very well (remove hooks).    Once you have achieved a decent cast, peel the line off till you start reaching the line that looks like it has been there for decades all curled up and such. Continue taking line off till you have taken about 15 or twenty yards. Cut the line outside the level wind this way you don’t have to fight getting the line back through the level wind. Now get the favorite line of your choice and splice the lines together with a blood knot or a back-to-back clinch knot.  Begin refilling the line; be sure that ample pressure is applied to the re-fill.   Always spool with line coming off the top of the spool, and  do not lay the refill on its side.  This creates twists in the line and causes damage to the line, not to mention the major backlashes people wonder how they get.   As the line starts filling the spool be sure to press down on the knot with your thumb.  This ensures that you will not get a hump in your spool.  Continue filling the reel.   Watch the spool to make sure that line is filling the spool evenly, if a lopsided buildup occurs thumb the line to the opposite side of the build up.  

I fill my reels to capacity and stop just under filling one-sixteenth of an inch of the spool. By doing this I will achieve a smoother cast and longer distances.  Be sure after spooling to thumb the reel tighter than usual during the first few casts. This will help prevent backlashes and helps seat the line down into the reel. You may have to experiment with this technique or you may not like the idea but it works for me.

Another bit of advice is to purchase a line filling station; I received a Berkley model for Christmas one year. It comes with a reel base and is designed to hold a variety of reels it also allows you to firmly mount your refill in a good position. The refill holder was a blessing at our house it helps prevent blisters on my daughter’s fingers when she holds the re-fill with her pencil. Did I mention it also comes with a line un-spooler and a hook sharpener?

As always dispose of fishing line properly! Some stores have a recycling bin where you can dump your old line. Be courteous of other fishermen and take someone you care about fishing.

As always, Be cool.

Cloudfishing

Dennis Cloud