Fishing Line Setup: A Basic Guide
Fishing is an outdoor activity that you can enjoy by yourself and with your partner and friends or relatives. The fun in it is, of course, felt better if you get to catch at least one fish at the end of the activity.
Many people believe that the success of fishing is solely dependent on the equipment that they are going to use. However, you should not also overlook the importance of properly setting up your fishing equipment. Thus, you must learn the proper fishing line setup techniques.
As an overview, a fishing line is a nylon or silk cord wherein its one end is attached to the hook and the other end to the fishing rod reel. It is the one being rolled down in order to reach a certain water level. It is also the one being pulled up when the hook, wherein a bait is attached, had caught a fish.
Generally speaking, with improper fishing line setup methods, the cord may get entangled. Thus, you will not be able to achieve successful angling. With this guide, you will be able to set up your fishing line easier and more properly.
But before we proceed, we must first identify the basic equipment that you will need and different terms that you will encounter.
Fishing Line Setup Requirements and Terms:
When it comes to the type of fishing line that you are going to use, that will be dependent on the specific type of fish that you are planning to catch. Nevertheless, the fishing line setup will not be greatly affected whether you use a monofilament or a braided fishing line.
Fishing Reel
A fishing reel is a circular material that holds the fishing line and spool. Unlike the fishing lines, the type of fishing reel that you are going to use can affect the steps involved in setting up your fishing line.
The first type is the spinning reel. It is a type of reel wherein the spool is not movable. Second is the so-called bait cast reel. It is the one that has a revolving spool. The last type is the fly reel. It is the one that is intended for catching big and heavy fishes.
Important Parts of the Reel
- The spool is the part of a reel wherein the fishing line is wound around.
- The bail is an arm that is made of metal that is responsible for controlling the release of the fishing line.
- The handle is the movable part of the reel that is used for winding and unwinding the fishing line around the spool.
Fly Line and Fly Line Backing
A fly line is a special type of fishing line that is used for fly fishing. It is the one responsible for putting some weight on the main fishing line (mono or braided) for easier and a more successful casting. The fly line backing, on the other hand, is an additional braided fish line that is used to connect the fly line to the spool of the reel.
Step-by-step Setting Up of A Fishing Line:
As mentioned earlier, the fishing line setup procedure is somewhat dependent on the type of fishing reel that you are going to use. In order to help you out, we will discuss the different steps for each type of reel.
Using a Spinning and Bait Cast Reel
1. Start by opening the spinning reel’s bail.
2. Thread the fishing line around the spool until you feel that it is locked into place.
3. When you are using a bait cast reel, look for the guide. It is a small item that is situated on the reel’s frame, which is in front of the spool. You must make sure that the fishing line is threaded to the guide completely.
4. After which, you should start wrapping the fishing line around the spool’s center. However, you must make sure that there are at least six inches and at most seven inches of the fishing line that extends from the spool of the fishing reel.
5. Make an arbor knot and start attaching the fishing line to the reel’s spool.
6. After which, you must securely pull the knot against the spool’s center.
7. If there is an excess fishing line, you must trim or snip it using a sharp pair of scissors
8. If you are using a spinning reel, close the bail. If not, then skip this step.
9. Start winding the fishing line to the spool by turning the spinning or bait cast reel’s handle. In this step, you must make sure that you are applying enough pressure on the line. You will know if the right amount of pressure is used when the fishing line is lying flat in front of the spool.
10. When the spool is already at least three-fourths full with the fishing line, you can cut the remaining fishing line.
11. You must make sure that the edge of the fishing line in the spool is properly anchored to the line keeper, which is situated on the reel’s side. This will ensure that the fishing line will not roll down from the reel.
Using a Fly Reel
Fly reels and backings are usually used by individuals who prefer fly fishing over bait fishing.
1. Make an arbor knot using the fly fishing line.
2. Once the knot is made, attach it to the fly backing.
3. After which, the created fly-line-backing-combination should be attached to the fly reel. In this step, you must make sure that there are six or seven inches of the backing that remain around the spool’s center.
4. Start pulling the knot down in a tight and careful manner.
5. Fill the fly reel with at least 100 yards of the fishing line that you have attached to the fly backing.
6. After winding 100 yards, create an Albright knot using the main fly fishing line and pull it down carefully.
7. Snip-off any excess fishing line present.
8. At this point, attach the leader to the fishing line
Final Recommendations:
When it comes to fishing, you must remember that the fishing line has a great impact in successfully catching a fish. That is because it is the one that will be connecting the different parts of the fishing equipment. It is also the one responsible for holding and pulling up the caught fish.
Since fishing lines are placed around a spool, you might observe that they may be a little folded when you start filling your reels. Thus, it is important that you follow the fishing line setup procedures mentioned above in order for you to have a straight and functional fishing line.
