Line Spooling Help -Berkley Winding Station

[Andyeye]

I usually replace my own line on my spinning reels. It seems that when I do this the line goes on uneven on the spool. The line always builds up more at the back of the spool. What am I doing wrong? Also has anyone tried the Berkley line winding station? I saw them at Gander Mountain for around $20.00

[DaCoder]

I use mine all of the time. Works the best for level-wind reels and does an okay job on spinning reels.

[REW]

Rather than spending the $200 for the line spooling station from Berkleys, and yet allow you to respool line very quickly - simply use - or buy an inexpensive cordless drill.

You can pick up one of the "knock off 18 volt cordless drills for $30.

Then pick up a variety of sizes of threaded rod. Pick up some washers and wing nuts for the various sizes of threaded rods.

When you go to the hardware store to get the threaded rod, take some of your line spools, both spinning and bait casters - so that you get threaded rod that will nicely fit through the spool holes.

Then, you can simply take a board, and put a nail in it to lay the line spool on, and put in an eye let - to run the line through.

Put on a pair of cloth gloves -- something that will let the line slip through your fingers, without burning your fingers.

Tie the line on the spool, start the drill running, and simply use your gloved fingers of your non drill holding hand, to align the line properly on the spool.

You can spool line on a spool in about a minute.

Take care
REW

p.s.
The nice thing about the cordless drill, is that you can pick up a selection of drill bits, pick up a selection of various types of drivers, screw drivers, flat and phillips head, square and hex drivers, and you have a universal tool, to take care of many of your maintenance needs on your boat, camper, cabin, or auto.

The 1X4 that you have the nail or bolt run through to hold the line can be easily stored in a storage box. This is much nicer than have the line spool running all over the floor.

[REW]

P.s.

The drill also makes a great line also. Save some of your line spools. Then pick up a piece of 1/4 inch threaded rod, a couple of washers and a couple of wing nuts.

Tighten the empty line spool between the washers and wing nuts on the threaded rod. Chuck the thread rod in your cordless, or corded drill.

Hold your fishing pole between your legs, and tie the end of the line on your fishing pole to the line spool.

Again, use a pair of cloth gloves - to keep some pressure on the reel spool as you are unspooling the line to keep tangles out of the spool back lash etc. You can strip the line off any reel in a few seconds. A nice thing about having the line wrapped on a spool, is that it is easy to recycle. Keep a few big rubber bands around to clip over the spool, to keep the line from unspooling off the spool.
When, it comes time to unspool the next reel, simply tie the line onto the end of the line that is on the spool already, if the spool isn't full.

If you are like me - I tend to use line off the spool, until it is about 1/2 full or so. Then, strip and respool. You can generally, strip 1/2 dozen reels onto a typical "filler spool"

Easy, quick, not messy, and easily recyclable.

Take care
REW

[REW]

p.p.s.

As far as line filling is concerned -- many folks don't like to take the spools off their line to respool -- if you are filling a spinning reel -- get a spare handle - cut the angled part of the handle off and chuck the hex shaft into the reel -- then use the drill to load your spool.

Of couse in this case - if using a spinning reel, you will need to fill from the top of the line supply spool -- and you need to keep an eye on line twist -- if you find that the line is twisting, flip the spool over, and fill from the non labeled side of the spool.

If you take a typical - medium "2000" sized reel, you will find that the line supply spool, is nearly a perfect match - for not requiring any line supply spool flipping to prevent twists. Conversely, if you are filling very small spools - i.e. "1000 sized spools, you will need to flip often, becuse the filler spool is larger than the filling spool. Conversely, if you are filling "4000" sized spools, you will find that you will need to flip the supply spool about the same number of times as when you fill the "1000" sized spools, for the opposite reason -- i.e. the filler spool is smaller than the filling spool.

bottom line - keep an eye on line twist, and fip the line supply spool, if the line is beganning to twist.



If you want to fill a bait caster -- using an electric drill - simply get a rubber crutch tip -- drill a hole in the end, and thread on a 1/4 inch bolt and tighten it down, with the open end of the crutch tip facing away from the drill.

Then take a hack saw, and cut a notch in the end of the crutch tip - that is a bit wider than the width of the reel handle, just outside the reel attachment nut. Cut the notches only deep enough to secure the reel handle, without rubbing against the side of the reel.

Now, in this case you can use the line fill spool on the board, through the eyelet, as discussed earlier. Again, use the cloth glove to keep the appropriate amount of tension on the line - while filling the spool.

Take care and get those lines all filled with fresh line for the new season.


REW

[Red Ruffandsore]

What a complete fool I've been. I have been setting up my reel on the butt half of the rod and winding in the line from the spool with tension supplied by two fingers on the line. I use (believe it or not) Canadian Tire money folded over the line to keep my fingers from getting burnt. What was I thinking. I'm marching out right now and buying threaded rod, washers, nuts, a cordless drill, some wood, and what else was there? Sheeesh!


Stay off the pipe...and don't forget to wipe.

Red