filling a spool

Question
HI Marc,

I have question on fishing line.

1) how to fill the line. Some how I always get this wrong and end up with all the line flying out at the same time.
I want to know if there a special way to put line on a spool on both spinning reel and casting reel?  I normally buy a  1/4 lb spool or 1/2 lb spool, it seem that the memory on the spool continue on the reel so the line does not want to stay on the reel. It happen more on the spinning than casting gear. Do I need to wet the line first or put on more pressure on the line when I fill the reel?  Also is the direction on how I let the line out from the spool matter?

I use quiet a few selection of line, spirewire mono 8lb/10lb, trienle big game 12 lb, also P-line premium 15 lb. Most of my spinning reels are shimano and Daiwa around 2500 series.

2nd question is about line selection, I am about to go into jig fishing, my jig size are normally 3/8 to 3/4 oz. I am in the process of learning how to pitch, what type of line (braided, mono and #lb) do you suggest to use and why? I have team daiwa light and tough 7'6 flippin rod and a shimano chornarch.  

Answer
Hi Bernie,

To put line on a baitcaster, you put a pencil or dowel through the hole on the spool and wind it straight on.

For spinning reels, lay the spool flat on a table (probably label side up)and wind on the line applying a light pressure.  The line should come off the spool on nice large loops.  If the loops are getting real tight as you wind it on, flip the spool over to the other side.

Some lines inherently have a lot of memory.  The Trilene Big game that you mention is one of them.  In fact, I probably would never try to use that stuff on a spinning reel.  It's good tough line and I've used it myself on baitcasters but it's probably one of the stiffest lines on the market.  The same with Stren High-Impact.  The 15# P-Line is probably too stiff and heavy for your 2500 series spinning reels too.  But it would be fine for baitcasters.

You need a more supple line for spinning reels.  Trilene XL has always been the standard but it isn't very abrasion resistant.  My personal favorite for spinning reels is Silver Thread Excalibur or the original Stren.

Line will relax the more you use it, but line like Big Game will remain stiff forever.  Cold weather can also cause line to get a little unruly.  Old line will also get stiff.  Store line in a cool dark place and it will last a long time.  Line stored in a warm area or exposed to sunlight will start to break down.  

If you want to put 15# line on a spinning reel, you will probably need a 4000 size reel.

As for pitching and flipping Jigs, I'd recommend something in the 12 to 17 pound range.  If it's in heavy cover, you may want to go as high as 20#.  That Big Game would be a good choice.  Flipping is hand to hand combat with short amounts of line out. You need something tough and abrasion resistant.  

I'm not a big fan of the braids.  As a rod builder (and rod repairer!!!) I have seen more broken rods than ever and most of them are due to braids.  Those braids don't stretch or break and so something has to give and its the rod!

I also don't feel comfortable tying a bass jig directly to braid.  So, I ended up adding a section of fluorocarbon at the end.  I just couldn't see the benefit.  I may be old fashion, but I'm not sold on braids.  There are so many great mono's and copolymers out there that it seems like a person should be able to find something to fit their needs.

Good Fishing!!!