Open bale fishing reels are designed so that no housing covers the spool of the reel. Typically, open bale reels are mounted below the handle of the fishing rod and are usually spinning reels. Open-face reels require more control and attention during casting to prevent the line from unspooling. Spooling new line onto an open bale reel is fairly straightforward
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Open bale reel Spinning rod Fishing line
- Open bale reel
- Spinning rod
- Fishing line
Instructions
Step 1
Open the bale wire so that the spool of the reel is accessible. The bale wire, when closed, evenly spools the line across the face of the reel during winding.
Step 2
Attach fishing line of appropriate size to the spool using an arbor knot. Wrap the tag or free end of the line around the spool so that 6 to 7 inches of line extend past the spool. With the tag end of the line, form an overhand knot around the main line. Do this by looping the tag end around the main line, forming a loop, and then feeding the tag end through the loop.
Step 3
Form another overhand knot with only the tag end of the line. This knot should be formed just below the first knot toward the free end of the line.
Step 4
Hold the free end of the line and pull the knot tight. This will pull the first knot down around the spool and pull the second knot down to lock the the first knot in place.
Step 5
Close the bale and turn the handle of the reel to begin spooling line onto the reel. Continue to wind line onto the reel until the spool is 75 percent full.
Tips & Warnings
- Refer to the reel manufacturer’s directions for more information and recommendations for the amount of line to spool onto the reel. The spool of line should be positioned so that it unwinds from the bottom and then wound onto the reel. This will help prevent memory coiling once the line is on the reel.
- Refer to the reel manufacturer’s directions for more information and recommendations for the amount of line to spool onto the reel.
- The spool of line should be positioned so that it unwinds from the bottom and then wound onto the reel. This will help prevent memory coiling once the line is on the reel.
- Use caution when handling fishing lines, especially when they are stretched tight. It is possible to be cut by monofilaments and fluorocarbons.
