How to string a fishing pole?

If you are a beginner fisherman, one of the most important things you need to learn is how to string a fishing pole. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to put a line on a spinning reel and baitcasting reel and what pound test to use for your rod. We’ll also show you how to match the line to the reel and rod to get the most out of your fishing experience!

How to string a fishing pole with fishing line on a spinning reel

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies. You will need a fishing rod, reel, fishing line, and small scissors. Once you have all of your supplies, you are ready to start stringing your pole!

Step 1: Take the end of the line and start to thread it through the tip of the rod and then down through the rest of the eyes on the rod.

Step 2: Lift the bail open on the reel, so it’s up and in the open position. Take the line and tie that around the spool.

Step 3:  Close the bail by snapping it back into place. Make sure the line is in the sitting in the line roller. This is the small roller at the end of the bail.

Step 4: Start cranking the handle on the reel to start winding the line onto the reel slowly. Again, we suggest you have someone hold the spool for slight tension. If you are alone, you can place the spool in a small bucket of water to get the pressure you need.

Step 5:  Do not overfill your spool, as this can cause tangles and lines to flow off the spool, causing difficulties.

How to string a fishing pole with fishing line on a baitcasting or conventional reel

Step 1: Take the end of the line and start to thread it through the tip of the rod and then down through the rest of the eyes on the rod.

Step 2: Make sure the line guide is centered and thread the line through the line guide and around the spool.

Step 3:  Tie an arbor knot and make sure the knot is tight. Cut the excess tag line off.

Step 4: Start cranking the handle on the reel to start winding the line onto the spool slowly. Again, we suggest you have someone hold the spool for slight tension. If you are alone, you can place the spool in a small bucket of water to get the pressure you need.

Step 5:  Do not overfill your spool, as this can cause tangles and lines to flow off the spool, causing difficulties.

What knot should you tie on your spool?

The arbor knot is a very popular knot that you should use when attaching the line to the spool.

How to tie the arbor knot?

Step One: Take the end of the line and double it back, so you have a loop.

Step Two:  Put the loop around the arbor (the metal post in the center of your spool).

Step Three: Take the tag end of the line and put it through the loop you just made.

Step Four:  Wet the knot and pull it tight.

Step Five:  Trim the tag end of the line close to the knot.

What pound test line should you use?

The pound test measures how much weight the line can hold before it breaks. Lines depending on what type will have different breaking strengths. Braid line for example can be much thinner and break at a much higher level then monofilament line.

When choosing what pound test line to use it will all come down to the rod and reel you are using.

Every reel and rod has a line rating system they use. These line ratings should be used for the best results on the reel and rod.

On a reel look for the recommended pound test that should be used. These numbers will say rated for 10 lbs. test line, 12 lbs. test line, etc. The smaller the reel, the lighter pound test line it will be rated for.

• Adding a line that is too heavy will result in a few things:
• Depending on how heavy the line is, you will not be able to cast the line far or at all.
• You will not get enough line on the spool.

Final thoughts

Now that you know how to string a fishing pole and what pound test line to use, you are ready to hit the water!

Remember always to match the line with the reel and rod for optimal results. 

Tie a proper knot to the spool and take your time spooling up the reel, so the line spools up as tight as possible.