Spooling Advice

Best Practices for Spooling a Reel with Braid

Spooling braid correctly is one of the most important steps in getting the best performance from your Tasline line. Done properly, it reduces line twist, improves casting distance, prevents slippage on the spool, and helps your reel perform at its best.

Here’s a straightforward guide to spooling braid the right way.

What You’ll Need

  • Your reel
  • Tasline braid
  • Electrical tape or arbor tape
  • Backing line (old braid preferred, otherwise suitable diameter mono)
  • Spooling station (ideally), but if not available then:
    • A helper to hold and control the braid spool
    • Pencil, rigid tube, rod, or long screwdriver to act as a shaft
    • Soft cloth or glove (to apply tension to the rim or side of the spool of new braid, NOT to the braid directly)

Step-by-Step Spooling Guide

1. Add Backing (Recommended)

Braid can slip on a bare spool. To stop this, start by adding a layer of electrical tape as thin backing. If more backing is required to achieve the desired fill level, add appropriate layers of old braid as additional filler. Monofilament may also be used, but will need to be relatively thin, and covered with an additional layer of tape to stop the new braid falling between the layers.

2. Attach the Braid

Tie the braid over the electrical tape using an arbour knot or uni knot. If additional braid backing has been added, tie the new to the old with a simple back-to-back uni knot.

3. Apply Modest, Even Tension

If using a spooling station, set the new braid spool in place and adjust the drag to apply an even tension. The goal is to have enough tension for the new braid to pack firmly on the reel, but without diving between layers as it comes from the spool.

When a spooling station isn’t available, have a helper hold the spool of new braid on a suitable shaft (e.g. pencil, screwdriver, etc.). When filling the reel, the helper will need to use a soft cloth or gloves to apply friction/braking to the braid spool rim and/or sides. Don’t apply the friction directly to the braid itself. The goal is to achieve a firm even tension, so the braid packs nicely on the reel, but not so tight that it dives into itself when coming from the spool.

4. Lay the Line Evenly

Wind the line on in even layers. Most spinning reels will do this automatically if tension is consistent. If the line is accumulating too much at the front or rear of the spool, adding or removing a shim from the shaft below the spool will help correct this. When filling conventional reels (free-spool reels) make sure layers are full width across the reel spool, and avoid creating uneven lumps or mounds by keeping the braid moving from side to side without pauses.

5. Fill the Spool Correctly

Wind the line on in even layers. Most modern spinning and overhead reels do this automatically if tension is consistent. Avoid heavy thumb pressure that can create uneven mounds.

6. Stretch and Settle (Optional but Useful)

Once spooled, pull some line off under moderate tension and rewind it. This helps the braid settle neatly onto the spool.

Quick Tips for Best Results:

  • Never apply friction or tension directly to the braid itself (e.g. running the braid through gloves or a cloth, even when wet). Doing so always reduces strength and longevity

  • Never apply so much tension the braid coming from the new spool cuts between the layers below it. Allowing this to happen risks damage.

  • Braid needs to be firmly wound onto a reel. If too loose, a heavy drag setting may cause the braid to cut between the layers below it, causing damage

  • Over-filling reels is by far the most common spooling mistake anglers make. This is especially important with spinning reels where an over-filled reel will likely cause wind knots or tangles during casting