Conference wahoo::fishing

    
    VIDEO::LEVESQUE "I fish, therefore I twist"
    
    The ill fated line twist is something that all anglers face at one
    time or another.  I can only mention two factors that will come
    into play in reducing line twist.  Numero Uno.  When spooling up,
    make sure that the line is coming off of the bulk spool onto your
    reel spool is in the same circular motion.  Two. On you way out (assuming
    you are fishing from a boat)  Let out about half of your line with
    nothing attached behind the boat, then reel it in at a medium pace.
    I follow these two practices throughout the year, and have very
    little trouble with line twist.  If all else fails threaten the
    line with its life. (?)
    
    Hey, by the way.  At least you are catching fish, even if you have
    line twist.  Right?
    
    Good Luck Doc
    
    Vinnie

Line twisting on a spinning reel is much more common than a casting reel. I 
guess a lot has to do with the types of baits you fish.  I have noticed that 
if I use rubber worms on my spinning gear that I am more prone to twist.

I'd make several suggestions:

1. Use a premium quality line like Trilene XL or Silver Thread.

2. REPLACE the line when it's needed!  Don't try to skimp by making it
   last the whole season.  I ALWAYS change line before every tourney, and
   minimally, once every 5-6 times out.  Line twist can seriously hamper
   casting accuracy and distance, plus, I'm sure it ultimately weakens
   the line.

3. When spooling up new line, make sure that the line comes off the spool
   in the same direction as it goes on the reel.  If the spool is placed
   wrong, you'll see the line twist up real quick as you reel it onto your
   reel.

4. Be sure to NEVER try to reel in a fish if the fish is peeling line off
   against the drag.  THAT will introduce considerable line twist.

5. Periodically, if I develop line twist while out in the boat, I'll remove
   all hooks, swivels, etc and drag lots of line out behind the boat.  Then
   I'll hold the line between my fingers as I reel it back on the reel. It
   does help to remove twists.

Hope this helps!

-HSJ-

    Are Shimano reels more prone to line twist then others?  I have
    a 6.2:1 spinning reel and I use Trilene XL, but after 2 or 3 trips
    out, it becomes tangled.  I don't have a boat so I cannot use that
    tip.  I really like XL as it gives much better casting distance,
    but XT is much less prone to twist.  Why is this?
    
    Tim
    

    I think the XT is stiffer than XL...I use XT for fresh water and
    like it alot and have no line twist problems. The let the line out
    behing the boat trick is good for line twist it is also
    good for releiving the presure on a spool, if you have caught some
    big fish that day (like some slammer blues) then it is a good idea
    to let the line out and reel it in under less pressure. Also
    another note that many people ignore, when you are done for the
    day loosen the drag up all the way, leaving it cranked down will
    compress the washers and leave it useless when you need it the most!
                        
    Re: one of the earlier replies about respooling often. On larger capacity
    salt water reel with heavier line this  starts to get expensive
    real fast. I won't argue what price a lost fish is because of poor
    line quality just that you try to make things last a little longer
    when they cost more to replace.
    
    Tight lines.
    Capt. of Cod
    

    Any spinning reel I've used will eventually cause line twist. All
    the previous replies are worth trying, especially the periodic laying
    out of line behind a moving boat. Here's another tip: if you do
    alot of trolling, many lures will rotate  and twist the line on
    itself when you change speeds, no matter how much you try to control
    it. Instead of using one high-quality ball-bearing swivel use two
    in series. Even new ones will eventually bind or jam and two will
    minimize the jamming problem. Also, use a rudder or keel sinker
    to keep lures from going into a spin.
    
    I hate using all this hardware when trolling but sometimes it's
    the only way to avoid a ball of twisted mono on the rod tip.

    I know it seems counter intuitive, but my father and I have been
    winding line onto spinning reels the same way most folks load
    baitcasting reels for years now with good results.
    
    Most folks load a spinning reel by pointing the end of the supply
    spool at the reel. The goal is to load the spinning reel so that
    the line doesn't have any twists in it. I load the reel by putting
    a stick through the supply spool that then becomes an axle and pull
    the line off of the spool like toilet paper off of the roll. I am
    purposely putting a twist into the line as it lays on the spool.
    
    Okay, here is why my method works. When you cast, the line gets
    pulled off of the side of the reel. If you wind the line on without
    any twists, casting puts twists into the line. If you use my method,
    casting removes the twist that was put on when you originally wound
    the line on. When you drag line behind a boat and then respool it,
    you are doing exactly the same thing that I do when I load my reels.
    
    Of course you still have to deal with bait/lures twising your line.
    
    	Marty Sasaki

    YO,
         Being twisted myself I also do as Marty does in .6 Using your
    thumb and index finger to apply pressure to the line as you reel
    it in after a long cast and letting the loose line            
    off your spool will take the twist out if you do not have a boat
    to do it for you works fine. Joes point on new line often is a good
    one but I do not re-spool as often. I do however remove damaged
    line that is "knicked" ect and check it often by running my fingers
    across it. One thing that was not brought up...keep your reels out
    of the sunlight when not in use. Put them in a reel box or out of
    the suns rays. Sunlight will kill its strenth and make it brittle.
    If you store it in the sun it will solve line twist though! It will
    break and you will not have to worry about it.
                                                     NIGHTCRAWLER~~~~~~~~

    
    Looks like you all need the words of a professonial, like myself,
    to assist you in this twisting matter.
    
    Shimano users especially this is for you.
    
    As stated previously please use a premium grade line.
    
    Shimano reels do not load perfectly. Here's step one. Use a cheep
    filler line (15lb test or so) and hand wind about 1/16 - 1/4 inch
    of line leading from top to bottom. The purpose is to make the top
    higher than the bottom by hand and load your good line on with a
    blood knot for the last 60 yards. You will notice your line will
    now be even on the spool.
    
    Line has 2 memories wet and dry (wet be the nicest). This summer
    has been hotter than usual. Those of you guilty of leaving your
    rods in the trunk day and night to bake will notice your line
    loosing integraty early. A cool dark place (cellar) is a nice place
    to keep your rods/reels when not in use.
    
    TANGLE FREE selling for about $4.95 is OK. Basically a mixture of
    soapy silicon and water a few drops on your line keeps the line
    on wet memory. For those penny pinchers like my self just occasionsly
    dunk your spool in the water.
    
    Last but not least !! This tip is worth is weight in gold. You will
    thank me. When you cast out and a birds nest of line flies out,
    STOP RIGHT THERE. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Do the following. Click
    your bail over immediately and loosen your drag all the way. DO
    NOT pull the tangle but the line at the top of your rod top. The
    birds nest will go back into your spool and untwine itself. Remember
    to set your drag on the next cast.
    
    
    Bassmaster,
    
    Dave Sullivan

    Two questions:
    
    Shimano recommends spraying their reels w. WD-40 every so often
    to keep them in good working order. Would getting that stuff on
    the line cause any problems? Could it actually be *good* for the
    line by leaving a light coat of lubricant on it, thus making it
    cast better?
    
    Also, the mention of Tangle-Free in the previous note made me wonder
    if an application of something like Armor-All might have the same
    effect, since AA is loaded with all those nifty polymers to keep
    synthetic materials in top shape by conteracting the effects of
    oxidation, etc (I don't really know what I'm talking about, but
    it sounds good...) I wonder if it would help keep the line in "wet
    memory" (I never heard of that, either, but it sounds good, too)
    
    Ed

    

    A trick that works when loading your line......put the spool in
    the water......Works for both casting and spinning reels.
    
    You'll notice if you look that to load a spinning reel you will
    be takign the line off the spool with the back (non-labeled side)
    of the spool facing up. The water acts as a friction on the spool
    so the tension when winding the reel is fairly constant. Thats important
    when loading your reels. Works for either type of reel. Try it,
    you'll like it.......;^)
    
    Ranger Ron

    YO, 
        Heck, enough of this. Take your reels to your local tackle shop and
    have them spin the line of your choice on. It will be tight and
    level. One more option to think about. 
     
                                           NIGHTCRAWLER~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    
    hey WORM,
    
    What about riggin up something like they use at the (expensive)
    tackle store!

    Maybe a drill motor to hold the spool etc.  I bet mooseface has
    an electric reel winder that he has designed and installed on that
    yaught of his.
    
    

    Hey TBDW,
        Mooseface does have an auto winder,  I gave him some old rods
    so he can take the guides off and make me one.   It will hold up
    to 4 spools of EXCEL line.    Ranger Rons water trick works great
    I have tried it.
    
    Les

    
    I don't want to appear to be a trouble maker,  The water trick is
    only one of the many tricks I have taught RR.
    
    TBDW
    
    
    ps Don't try it in a raging river unless you got the 185 to 1 real.
    

    HEY GARRYYYYY, how about using your toilet?, or maybe filling your
    crawdad up (if you fixed the leak) with water and then putting your
    spool in?. They shouldn't let you near any deep or fast moving water
    you might drown, well I guess that leaves the toilet out. Maybe
    a bucket would do. Your right though, you Tarmac you, I did build
    a line loader and if the Molester buys me lunch.....I'll finish
    his!!!!. Works great too, spin cast or level wind, right hand or
    left. You know when you start building crap like that your getting
    old or married too long. 
    
    Ray

    re. .15
    
    --- "You know when you start building crap like that your getting
    ---  old or married to long"

       
           In your case it's both!!!        
    
         I'll buy you lunch after delivery.
    
    
       Are we going to this week or what??
                       
       L.T.M.