How to Change a Line on a Spinning Reel

Spinning reels are a useful tool, enabling an angler to cast his line far from his location and have significant control over the bait. Replace your fishing line at least once per season, and more often if you are hitting the water every weekend. Although you can have your local tackle shop replace the line using its line-winding machine, doing it yourself takes little effort. With the help of an assistant, you can change the fishing line on your spinning reel.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Fishing line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the old fishing line by pulling it from the reel. Cut the knot holding the end of the line to the reel using scissors. Discard the old fishing line.

    • 2

      Remove the tape around the new spool of fishing line. Slide the end of the line through all of the fishing line rod guides, starting at the tip and working your way to the reel.

    • 3

      Lift the spinning reel's bail arm and secure the end of the fishing line with a knot, such as an arbor knot, and cut away the excess fishing line of the end. Lower the bail arm.

    • 4

      Have a friend take the spool of fishing line and put a thin object, such as a pencil or a dowel rod, through the center of the spool.

    • 5

      Have your assistant stand in front of you with the spool of fishing line, ensuring that the line is coming from the top of the spool and not the bottom to keep the line from getting twisted.

    • 6

      Wind the reel in reverse until a couple of feet on line are wrapped around the spool.

    • 7

      Check to see if the line makes a corkscrew shape as it is coming off the spool. If so, have your assistant rotate the spool, generally counterclockwise, until the line is straight again. Continue for another few feet and check again.

    • 8

      Repeat the previous step until you get to the end of the line or the reel is filled up to about 1/8 inch below the rim of the reel. Cut the line with the scissors and tie a hook or a sinker to the end to prevent the line from unraveling.