I just added a new rod and reel to my arsenal. 6"6 all star rod and a Shimano Sahara FD Spinning Reel. Only using this rod for plactics but I need your help! On all my spinning reels I have I get really bad line twist. Is there a line that yall use that will cut down on line twist??? Or maybe I am spooling it wrong. I would like to fish at the lake not work on my gear at the lake. Please help if you can!

The line I'm using now is Berkley Trilene XT

I�ve been fishing spinning gear for more than 40 years. Here�s what I have learned.

First, spinning reels work best with a soft handed monofilament, or a copolymer line. I prefer P-Line CX Premium line, it�s an excellent copolymer, and works excellently on spinning gear.

Second, do NOT close the bail by cranking the handle. DO close the bail manually. Just use your other hand to flip the bail closed. It might sound odd, but it really is a big help.

Third, if you spool your spinning reel yourself lay the spool down on the floor and on one of the ends. Thread the line through all the guides, and use an arbor knot to secure the new line onto the spool of your spinning reel. Now position the handle of your rod on your shoulder opposite of the hard that you use to crank your spinning reel. Grasp the rod with your other hand (the hand that you�re not cranking with), and the line as the line runs under your rod behind the first guide. Now start reeling holding the line somewhat firmly with your other hand. Watch your line coming off the spool, if it starts to twist then flip the spool over to the other end and start reeling the line on again. After just a bit the twist/s ought to straighten out and the line should lay on the spool nicely.

Four, do NOT overfill the spool. You�ll have to eyeball as different this as reels have different spool lip designs. Be a bit conservative if you�re in doubt.

Five, when you first get to the lake take a fairly hefty practice plug and make a cast out into the lake as far as you can, then reel the line back in while keeping you rod as level as possible. Make sure that NO twist are reeled onto the spool by again using your hand, or fingers to keep tension on the line going onto the spool. Repeat till the line lays on the spool nicely. A shallow running crankbait with out hooks connected to a large free spinning ball-bearing swivel works even better in my opinion.

Finally, XT is NOT a good line for spinning reels. XL is much, much better if you must go with Trilene. Personally, I�d go with P-Line CX Premium, or with Mason�s Bass On for spinning gear.

HTH
TFP

Sage advice. The only thing I can add to that is if you get out to the lake and have time, peel out thirty yards of line and lay it on the water. Open the bail and idle until nearly all the line is off the spool. Close the bail and drag it for a couple minutes at idle, then reel it back in with the rod tip just over the water. Thats about the only way I can get one to really cast well without twists.

I have heard of this technique, but thought it was an old wives tale, now I think it prob is not....might give it a whirl...

get some 20lb power pro braid and put a floro or mono leader of like 10 that's what I do

Thank you very much for the tips! XT was on sale when I got my rod but I will try P-Line soon!

p-line cx

+1 braid with a fluoro leader is the way to go.

Glad to be able to help out.

Here�s a LINK on how to tie an arbor knot. It�s the knot to use to attach your line to the spool of your reel.

Tight lines,
TFP

That is the knot I have used since I was a kid. My grandfather had me learn every knot out there! What test should I go with? 8 or 10lb?

Excellent! Grandfathers can be very cool!

JJ,


Short answer Of 8 and 10 pound test, I recommend 10 pound test. However for general bass fishing consider 12 pound test. I get into why in the long answer below.

Long answer:

When it comes to line it is best to look at the diameter of the line with respect to the pound test. Some lines are rated at say ten pound test and get a huge reputation for being way stronger than 10 pounds to break. Sometimes this is because the line diameter is closer to 14 or 15 pound test lines in other brands, or types.

Here�s a chart for some comparisons. Original Stren serves as the standard for line diameter for a particular pound test rating.


Note that CX Premium in 12 pound test has a line diameter that falls between the line diameters of 8 pound and 10 pound test Original Stren. This means that you can easily throw 12 CX Premium on the same spinning gear that would handle 10 pound Original Stren. CX Premium is a small diameter line so you can normally shift up a pound test rating with CX Premium as compared to what your rod and reel are normally rated for.

Here�s a chart of various important data of CX Premium


As you can see from the chart above the actual breaking strength of 12 pound CX Premium is 15 pounds whereas it�s line diameter is below that of standard 10 pound test line. �BTW Original Stren 12 pound test is likely to break under about a 14 to 15 pound loading.�

What�s really impressive about CX Premium is it�s tensile strength. CX Premium has the greatest tensile strength of any of any copolymer, mono, or fluorocarbon line that I know of.


HTH,
TFP

Once again thanks for your help! I did everything you said and no more line twist! Fished at lunch time today no luck but going back after work. Thanks TFP

TFP

i use 12 pound pline Floroclear on my spin reel that i fish my shakey heads on no line twist or anything like that its what i am confident in.




http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores...9340+4294967012

After reeling in I make sure the bait "unspins" before I cast again. Also after casting, I pull on the line to cinch up what is left on the spool. And Pline 12# florocarbon coated is my line of choice.