How To Spool Line On The Most Popular Spinning Combo
- By: Luke Simonds
- on August 27, 2022
- Found In: Braid, Fishing Tips, Line, Mono, Weekly Newsletter: 8-28-22
This lesson shows exactly how to spool up the Ultimate Inshore Spinning Combo that we just started offering for inshore fishermen to get an excellent combo at a great price.
Many fishermen rely on tackle shops to load line onto their reels, and I highly recommend doing it all yourself because you’ll save money and you’ll be able to it better than them if you simply follow the directions shown in the video below.
Not only will you have spool the lines so they have less twists than a store-spooled reel, you’ll see an easy trick to make sure you put just enough backing on the spool so that you can fit exactly 150 yards of braid on top of it.
Spooling Line On Spinning Combo
Click on the video below to see the entire process of building out the full spinning combo from start to finish. Here’s a list of the topics by time in case you’d like to skip around:
- Putting reel on rod – 1:50
- Spooling Equipment Needed – 2:30
- Attaching mono backing – 3:45
- Loading mono backing – 5:44
- Line gap trick – 8:00
- Tying braid to backing – 9:20
- Loading exactly 150 yards of braid – 13:25
Get the Ultimate Inshore Spinning Combo
Equipment Listing
Here’s a list of the individual items shown in the video above that are part of the Ultimate Inshore Spinning Combo bundle.
- Rod: TFO Pro S – 7’6″ Medium Power
- Reel: Daiwa Fuego 2500D-XH
- Backing: Ande Mono – 10 lb
- Mainline: J-Braid 8 Grand – 10 lb
- Leader: Ande Mono Leader Spool – 20 lb
- Scissors: Salt Strong Rigging Scissors
Related Items
Here’s a list of additional topics that link to helpful lessons on each topic in case you need help/guidance on finishing up your line to lure assembly.
- Best braid mainline to leader knot – FG Knot lesson
- How long should the leader line be?
- Best knot for connecting to a lure – Non-Slip Loop knot
Conclusion
Nobody cares as much about our fishing equipment as much as we do, so it’s on us to make sure we select the right equipment and that we put everything together the right way.
Once I started using these items and assembling them together as shown in the video above, my fishing has significantly improved in terms of casting distance, fish catching, and getting less wind knots.
I hope you give the lessons above a try.
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions from this lesson.
And please use the Comments section below to share any other helpful tips for spooling line onto a new reel that you have found to be helpful… we’d love to hear from you.
Tight Lines!
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Hi Luke –
Great video showing how to do something that has confounded me (and many spin fishermen/women) for years! But I do have a couple questions:
Thanks!
Glad to see that you enjoyed this lesson. You are correct in noting that the 1/4″ gap needs to be increased/decreased slightly as the diameter of different spools differ slightly from the one shown in this video.
As for the diameter of the backing being different than what I showed, the only changes that makes is the amount of mono used to get to the 1/4″ gap as well as the knot size (thicker lines will result in less line used and a thicker knot in the spool).
Yes, I used to soak my spools in warm water so the mono will reform to the shape of the spool when I used mono as my mainline. Now that I only use it for backing, I don’t bother with that step because the mono rarely ever sees the light of day.
Got it! Thanks!
Again, thanks. I had a couple of other questions come to mind:
Thanks again!
I can’t remember… I normally use 15 lb line for the backing of 10 lb or less mainline braid so that the weak point isn’t the backing knot in case I have to break off a big fish that gets my mainline out.
As for your question about backing strength, the only con on going to thicker line is that it creates a bigger knot that’s more likely to cause issues in the spool… this is a non-issue if using the FG knot though.
Thanks, that’s what I wanted to know!
ok guys please bear with me and my ADD moments – is the only benefit of the backing cost savings ?
thank you
found my answer surfing the net
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xqxjj0gw-4
and of course thank you Luke and Team
Glad to see that you found your answer
thank you
follow-up with a different question – as far as applying tension to the line while spooling, i understand consistency is required, how much tension ? i feel like i am not applying enough – different subject and too much tension rod to pinky while tying the FG knot
The tension of the line going on the reel needs to be enough to make sure the line feels tightly packed (not soft) on the spool… no such thing as too much as long as you’re not damaging the line by using an abrasive material.
As for the tension of the FG knot, that doesn’t need nearly as much tension as what’s needed for spooling… just enough to keep the coils in good shape while threading the leader around the braid.
thank you Luke, make sense and is exactly what i needed to know
Is the FG knot used to join the braid to the mono base on the reel when spooling it or used to tie the leader to the braid and then the lure?
I use the FG knot for all situations where I am connecting braid to mono/fluoro because it is so strong while also being very thin, but it of course is optional because there are many other knots that can be used.
Great instructional video, Luke. Does the line come off the spool in-line with the reduction guides like it does on the Slot Machine video you posted?
Thanks Steve!
This rod’s guide alignment is the 2nd best that I’ve tested for 2500 and 3000 sized reels… the only one to beat it is the Slot Machine which has the extra advantages of having a higher modulus blank (better feel and lighter) while also having nicer components.
Both rods are great overall values for the respective price points.
Nice instructions. For the leader, are you ok with the double uni vs. FG?
The double uni is a great knot, but the FG is noticeably stronger and thinner so I made the switch to the FG.
Thanks for the lesson Luke. Great package… price and quality… this is a duplicate set-up for me. Salt Strong introduced me to this rod & reel combination 2 years ago and I have loved it for salt water inshore fishing in SWF.
Salt Strong! Thomas
What is the measurement for 20lb braid (.23 diameter)?
Good video! The only thing that I would recommend is to wear a black or dark shirt…it would help the viewer see the line/knots. Thank you!
Thanks for making time to post the helpful suggestion Jeff!
Luke, I’m helping a friend set up his new combo and we are having issues adding the spacer to the reel. It is loading too much line to the top, so we wanted to add the spacer to even out the wind. But when the spacer is added, we cannot seat the spool so that the drag control know will seat and screw down. Seem the spacer sitting atop the material on the post makes it to short to screw on the drag control know. Any ideas to help would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Bruce! Adding a spacer to a spinning reel to help even out the line across the spool is deceptively tricky. Follow these 4 steps in order very carefully and you’ll be able to get the spacer on:
1.) After you remove the spool from the main shaft, VERY CAREFULLY remove the very clear plastic retaining washer that is mounted on the main shaft. It sits right on top of the bearing on the main shaft and its VERY small and clear. You may need a small sharp tool to jimmy that retaining piece out, just take your time. Set that piece to the side so that you don’t lose it (you’ll need it when you re-assemble the reel).
2.) Remove the ball bearing sitting on the main shaft.
3.) Once the small Clear Retaining Tab and the Ball Bearing are removed, THEN you can place the Spacer/Shim overtop of the one already mounted on the main shaft.
4.) Re-assemble in the same order you took the pieces off, and then add your spool back on top. It should sit evenly now.
Really take your time with that small Clear Retainer (it can be a pain in the butt). Hope this helps! If you’re still experiencing issues, feel free to email us and we will help you further.
Thanks Rich. I will follow your recommendation and email if necessary.
Your instructions worked. They don’t make we it easy. Seems they would test the spacing as part of their QC process to ensure an initial even lone load. We are good now, thanks to your information! Once again, you and Salt Strong have the most up to date and accurate information. Thank you for the support. Tight lines!
Luke Great video, I just purchased the combo and can’t wait to see how it feels and performs. You indicated 1/4 of an inch left on the spool for the braid using the 10# braid. How much do you need to increase the 1/4 of an inch for heavier brain like 15#, 20# or even 30#. I know its actually based on the diameter of the brad. Is there a chart for the different sizes of braid? Also do you need to make any adjustments to this if the spinning reel is a different size 2500 vs 3000 or 4000?