Knots

[Brad B]

What's a good knot for hooking up new line to a baitcasting reel.

Thanks in Advance!

Brad B

[Thom]

The best knot for attaching line to a reel, be it a conventional reel or a spinning reel, is called an arbor knot. Its very easy to tie and once you've done one of them you'll likely stick with it.

Here's how to tie it - very simple. First tie an overhand knot in the end of the line. I usually make this knot by passing through the loop twice just to make the knot a little bulkier. This purpose of this knot is just to act as as 'stop knot'. Trim the excess line from behind the stop knot, but leving a quarter inch or so of line won't hurt anything.

Now, pass your line around the arbor of the reel, or if its a spinning reel around the spool. Next, take the end of the line, the part with the 'stop knot' near its end, and tie a single overhand knot around the actual fishing line. Pull this overhand knot snug. Now just grab the fishing line and pull it all snug. What will happen is the second knot will hold the line and the loop created will slip down over the arbor or spool. The stop knot will not allow it to come loose, and the whole thing will snug up clean against the arbor or spool. Now go ahead and crank the reel and fill the reel up. Its that easy, takes all of 20 seconds.

Thom

[Phil T.]

If you're going to spool up with a "superline" like Spiderwire or Fireline, add a drop of superglue to your arbor knot and spool. It will keep the line from slipping on the spool. When you change line, it's easy to chip off with a sharp knife. No monofilament backing needed.