"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
...
What is a good line for a spinning reel. I curently have 12 lb test
mono
on my reel and am experiencing some major line twisting in no time at
all.....

Mike (PA)


This has been asked so many times I wonder if maybe we shouldn't add it to
the ROFB FAQ

First off spinning reels twist line. No matter what you do you will get
some line twist, however, that being said there are some things you can
do.

1. Make sure you put the line on the reel without twisting it. Most guys
lay the spool ont he ground and let the line loop off one side. After a
half dozen cranks they will lower the rod and see if the line twists. If
it
does they will turn the spool over.

2. When retrieving close the bail by hand, lift the rod to take up slack,
and then begin reeling.

3. Use the drag properly or learn to back wind. Do not attempt to
crank
while the drag is slipping.

4. Rig your baits so they don't spin on retrieve. If they do consider
the use of a high quality ball bearing swivel.

5. Finally if you do get line twist you can get it out by spooling it
off
the reel and dragging it behind the boat for a while then reeling it back
in. If that isn't an option you can get most of the twist out on land by
tying a quality swivel on the end of the line and then hooking the swivel
onto a fixed opbject. Then back away keepign the line off the ground.
When
you get most of the line off the reel snap the line tight several times
letting it go slightly slack(but not touching the ground) in between each
pull.

6. Believe it or not higher quality lines seem to work better and
accumulate less line twist. I don't know why unles its simply that those
people who spend a little more on line tend to take a little more care
when
fishign as well. Ther eis no other reason I can figure for that.



All excellent tips IMO, Bob, especially #1. That seems to do the trick for
me.

As an aside, another thing I do to try and minimize the impact of twist and
retained pressure or tension on my line (minimize, I'm not sure it
eliminates it at all) is this: Last cast before you are done with the
rod/reel for the day, tie on a crankbait (unless you already have one on)
and intentionally foul the line thru the hooks (so it won't swim right, in
most cases the bill will be facing backwards on the retrieve if you do this
right) and cast it out and do a nice easy retrieve. This way the bait isn't
digging into the water, and you are respooling your line onto your real with
a lighter tension, relieving stress and minimizing storing it in a
"stretched" condition (more important on monos and fluoros I guess.) I find
that relieving this "stress" on spinning reels really helps with defeating
"mono memory" which can lead to nasty twisting after it has been stretched
and then relieved (by fishing).

I saw this on "People Who Fish" with the Murray brothers a few years back on
the Outdoor Channel and it works with extending the life of my mono, which I
tend to keep priamrily on my spinning reels.

--
Bob La Londe

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