Line capacity on old spinning reels

[mrbligh]

Several of my old spinning reels have high capacity spools with the capability to accept 100 or more yards of line! Given the way the line comes off the spool when casting I am wondering if there's any reason to expect that line 50 yards or more down in the wraps will ever be pulled out by some light lure wafting toward some waiting bass. If it does see the light of day it will, most likely, be a curly mess. Does anyone install backing prior to winding on say, 25 yards of mono? Seems to me this would save on line and make the casting dynamics better. Any thoughts (other than this is an utter waste of a grown-up's time)?

[Ron Mc]

based on the way I've received older spinning reels, people in the 50s were in the habit of doing this: braided line underneath with mono on top. The stuff really rots, though and is hard to clean off the spool (and it can be done with some patience and baking soda).

However, filling the spool up with mono is a lot cheaper than putting a braided backing underneath.

[piscesman]

I'm a Mitchell reel collector and user. Mitchell had the forsight to make 2 different size spools for line(300,308,408 & 400 series). I always use the "larger " spool that holds the lesser amount of line. Don't have the opportunity to fish in greater than 150 yards of water. Every 2 years or less depending on useage I change the line. Since the spool holds less line you have less waste. I don't know if other company's did this, but some offered snap on spacers to "shrink" the spool. I hope this helps. HAPPY FISHING...
Kim

PS- If you use a hair dryer pointed at the spool of line it will help take out the memory from being wound on the spool.

[SWIM JIG]

Lets see if we can cure the line problem, If you are fishing in a Antique contest the rules do chane, However if you are fishing for sport or meat! then the line to use is POWER PRO , made by INOVATIVE TEXTILES INC. GRAND JUNCTION CO. 81501, this is a 100% spectra fiber with no memory and max of 5% stretch factor. Very thin and 20lb test is 6lb diamiter! We have used it as of 1996, still have the same line on and it still works perfect, it wont cut guides or dry up and split spools, cost is resonable and the mono fil cant hold up to it, I talked Cabellas into handling the line and they sell loads of it, comes in differnt colors and cast a long ways, and it wont srink and slit your spools, as for reducing the amount of line, either get a smaller spool like mitchel offers or use a cork type filler or use any filler that good tackle shopes sell, we prefer CORK you can make your own with a regular stopper cork most hardware stores sell them, cut it in half, size it to the spool and then reduce the diamiter to your likeing. once you cast Power Pro, you most likly will never use anything else, and the sesitivity of the line is like non other made! Your Ohio conection Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIm JIG

[Reel Geezer]

For over 30 years I have used backing on all my bass and trout spinning and casting reels. I have used bulk yellow Stren as backing and when it starts to show up on a cast, I respool with fresh line on top of the yellow backing. I respool often because I retie my lures any time I feel a nick or hang up on a snag.

Milt, I have used those new braided lines for several years now, and have had nothing but problems. I broke off a couple of two pound bass with 20 pound braided yesterday. I noted that the winner of the Bassmaster Classic broke off a couple of 5 pounders with 50 pound braided last weekend. I think it's because you can't see or feel the nicks and don't know you've got a problem until it's too late. I rarely break off a fish with regular monofilament.

I have also noted that many reels of the round side plate type don't cast braided well unless the level wind travels during the cast. If the level wind disengages (especially at one end of the spool) the line bunches up when it tries to travel from the other end of the spool. This is due to the level wind being closer to the spool on round plated reels than it is on so-called "low profile" reels. When Lew Childre came out with his first Shimano Speed Spool and they moved the level wind mechanism way out on the front of the plates they increased casting distance by reducing friction as the line came off the spool. I don't want to argue this point. That's just my opinion and my view after fishing heavy cover almost every day during the season.

[Penobscot Bill]

want to add my two cents-being from the KISS school, I fish almost exclusively with Mitchell ultralight 308 and 408 reels and started out many moons ago using Garcia Bonnell line-when Stren came along with their SL line I switched to that-I've tried them all, but very satisfied with years of trouble free use-I use butcher's twine for backing-tackle shops that put line on your reel for you, love it when you don't use backing-you get to pay them for line you'll never use.

[Harvey]

Now my Two cents!
Maybe 15 years ago I bought bulk spools of Berkley Silverthread. I purchased spools of 8, 12, 15, 18 and 20lb in 10,000 yd spools. At the time of purchase, I took a skein from each spool and had it tested at IGFA for futher references. I would always fill my spools completly with the desired strength of Silverthread. Fishing in Saltwater, I always made sure that,as Phil does, there are no faults in the first 10 feet before casting and we always use a leader of much greater strength. (That's another story of interest!) This does require you to use line when retying. Even with a spool of 200yd of line, I have seen times that I wish I had more. Being spooled by a thirty pound Crevelle Jack while using 8lb test line isn't uncommon. Back when I fished a lot, I found that changing line every 6 months or so was a must. By testing strength, I found that the combination of sun, saltwater, streching, etc will reduce the tensil strength in excess of 10% over time. Don't believe what you read about the Quality of what you buy. If you have the abilty to have your line tested, do so. IGFA used to do if for free for it's members but now they charge for each test. Remember, "There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the bank" For the cost of quality line, it is worth every cent to make sure that you use the best, what ever your preferences are. With the price of most fish at the marker exceeding $10.00 a pound, a $15.00 spool of good line seems cost effective to me. A broken line means a broken heart and a happy fish with an ear ring!
harvey

[SWIM JIG]

Phil, I will never convince you untill you use this line, SEND ME A REEL that you will use, I will load it with Power Pro at My treet! If its what I say it is you owe me a FISH! Texas is comming! ha ha , as for nicks? well it takes a sharp knife to cut it, these charter Captains once they changed wont go back to missed fish and unhappy clients! Bil, I am working on yiur 308s and 408s you will get one of each with this line, all I ask is the true opion! Harvy, we still have hundreds of spools you call line, (Jack Masters usede to make Salmon lures with, now I know who will buy it , yup! good OLD Harvy, dont you folks ever try something NEW? yes some of that so called line is bad, (I dont dare say the truth here for fear of delition, However all of you have my email, just email me and a list will be on its way! There is nothing like a 67 lb. Stripe on 30lb test tied to my pen 09 what a thrill! 50 + mins to land this fish! Ok its your chance to prove me wrong! Ha Ha oh dont try to cut this stuf with finger nail clippers, it dont work! Col. milton lorens aka SWIM JIG your OHIO Conection.

[mrbligh]

Great feedback! Thanks to all of you.