Did you just get a new spinning reel?
If so, you might have found yourself asking, Can I put braid on my spinning reel?
That is exactly what we are going to talk about in today’s post. We will also try to address some other concerns you might have when fishing with braid.
Let’s get started.
Can You Put Braided Line On A Spinning Reel?
The answer is…Yes, you most certainly can. In fact, braid is my number one choice when fishing with spinning tackle. The fact that it has no memory, it is easy to see, and it is abrasion resistant are just a few reasons why many anglers choose to use this fishing line.
However, before you go ahead and spool all your reels with braid there is one thing you need to be aware of and that is what I like to call spool slippage.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING: My Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Braided Fishing Line
What is spool slippage?
To answer that question let’s take a closer look at the line itself.
Braid is much thinner than a fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line. For that reason, if you were to directly tie it onto the reel you will notice that it doesn’t want to grab the spool like other lines.
As a result, the spool will spin when you crank the handle, but the fishing line will also move with the spool. This is what I call spool slippage. It is when the fishing line doesn’t have enough traction to grip the spool properly thus, rather than staying in one place, the fishing line moves when the spool moves.
As you can imagine this is going to cause problems because as you turn the handle the reel isn’t going to draw in any line, it is just going to spin.
Be careful with this because many times I have seen anglers tie braid straight onto their spinning gear and initially have no problems with it. That is until they get a big fish on the other end, then they notice that their reel doesn’t want to draw in line.
However, don’t let the threat of spool slippage to discourage you from using braid.
There are ways to prevent it from happening to you. Let’s talk about 3 easy ways to prevent spool slippage.
How To Put Braid Fishing Line On A Spinning Reel
Use A Monofilament Backing.
One way to prevent braid from slipping is to use a monofilament backing. What I mean by this is to start spooling your reel with monofilament. Once the spool is covered with a layer or two of mono you can then begin to run braid.
Because monofilament is thicker it is going to grip the spool better and you won’t be a victim of spool slippage.
An additional bonus is that mono is cheaper. So not only will this approach help to secure the line on the spool, but it will also save you money.
The less braided fishing line on the reel means the more money in your pocket.
See just how this can be done in the following video:
Apply Electrical Tape To The Spool.
What would you do if you wanted more grip on your tennis racket or hockey stick? Apply tape right? The same can be done to your spinning reel.
To do so, simply cut a piece of electrical tape and apply it directly to the spool itself. Once covered you can begin to put the line on your reel. The tape will help the line to grip the spool and prevent spool slippage.
What is the best tape to use?
I have found that electrical tape seems to work the best, but I have seen other fishermen have success with masking tape as well.
Learn more about this technique in the following video.
Choose A Reel With A Braid Ready Spool.
The easiest way to prevent spool slippage is to buy a spinning reel that is equipped with what is called a braid ready spool.
FURTHER READING: What is the best fishing line for spinning reels? Monofilament, braid or fluorocarbon?
What is a braid ready spool?
Well, as the name implies, it is a spinning reel that has been specifically designed so that you can tie braid straight to the spool without it slipping.
With a reel like this there is no need to use electrical tape or a monofilament backing, simply tie on your favorite braid and you are ready to start fishing.
- SPOOLING TIP: Pay attention to how your spool your line. As we mentioned earlier, braid is a very thin fishing line and it needs to be put on tight. If you don’t put it on tight the top layer can start digging down into the other layers. This is going to result in a big mess. To prevent that from happening, be sure to put plenty of tension on the fishing line when you are spooling the reel. (Learn more about properly spooling your spinning reel here.)
What is the best spinning reel for braided fishing line?
There are a number of different reels on the market today that are equipped with a braid ready spool, but let’s briefly mention one such spinning reel that I have come to love.
Available in a number of different sizes makes it a great option for bass fishing as well as other types of freshwater or saltwater fishing.
The 4000 size series (which is what I would recommend for most freshwater fishermen) is equipped with 7 ball bearings and a good gear ratio of 5.6:1.
Of course the best part is the braid ready spool. Simply tie on your braid of choice directly to the reel and you are ready to hit the water.
Speaking of braid, it has a good amount of capacity. For example, you can put on a little over 300 yards of your favorite type of 20-pound test.
Final Thoughts…
In this post, we have answer a number of common questions we get about braided fishing line. I hope you have found this article useful.
Now it is your turn. What have you found in your fishing experience? Share your thoughts as well as your favorite braid ready spinning reel in the comments below.
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