Baitcasters don’t have a bail, so you won’t need to do this step.

For a Baitcaster rod, look for a little hole in the reel. You’ll also need to run the line through this guide to get it into the bail.

An arbor knot is done by first tying an overhand knot. Tie a second overhand knot at the free end of the line. Then pull both knots tight against the reel.

For example, if your bail rotates clockwise, stand to the left of the spool so the line wraps clockwise around it. For Baitcaster rods, you’ll need to stick a pencil through the spool and have someone else hold it. Alternatively, purchase a reel spooler or make one by placing the spool on a screwdriver pushed through a cardboard box. [3] X Research source

For knots or tangles, gently pull the line back off the reel. Tug on the loop of line in the tangled part and it’ll unravel.

Make sure the line continues to load in the same direction the bail rotates!

Close-faced and Spincast are different names for the same reel. You’ll know you have one if it has this cover you need to unscrew to reach the reel’s spool.

Always make sure the line goes on the same way the reel rotates. If it rotates clockwise, the line should be wrapped around it counterclockwise. The direction of the rotation depends on the fishing pole.

For example, if you spooled the line counterclockwise, crank the handle counterclockwise.

Adding too much can make the line come undone, so you’ll have to spool it all over again.

If you left the cover off, unwind all of the thread. You’ll need a lot of space for this, so try walking around and hanging the line on fences or other objects so it stays untangled. Then spool the line through the cover and onto the reel.

Backing line is the heaviest and cheapest type. Get some marked with a weight of 20 to 30 lb (9. 1 to 13. 6 kg). It’ll be about 20 ft (6. 1 m) long. [12] X Research source Look on your rod to find a number signifying the the weight of fly line you’ll need. These lines are typically around 80 to 90 ft (24 to 27 m) long. [13] X Research source Get leader line that’s tapered and made of monofilament or fluorocarbon. You’ll need a roll about 9 ft (2. 7 m) long, although you can lengthen it for deeper waters and shorten it for shallow water or windy conditions. [14] X Research source Purchase 2 to 4 ft (0. 61 to 1. 22 m) of tippet line that’s thinner than the leader line. It’s rated on an X scale, where 01X to 08X are strong enough for large fish like striped bass and lines from 1X to 8X are for smaller fish like trout. [15] X Research source

If you can’t find someone to help you, take the reel to a tackle shop. They will will spool the line for you. It’s important to do this with every line in order to prevent tangles.

For the Albright knot, make a loop with the heavier line. Run the lighter line through it and wrap it 10 times over the heavier line back towards the loop. Bring it back down through the loop and pull the the lines tight.

You can purchase a nail knot tool to help with this kind of knot. [19] X Research source