How to Spool a Reel with Copper Line for Salmon Fishing

Today we show you how to spool a reel for salmon fishing using 45 pound copper line. This technique works with any copper line, any backer and any leader. We hope you enjoy and make sure to subscribe and turn on the notifications so you don't miss anything.

[@beehivefishing8397]

Can you please do a lead core video? I learned two great tips on this copper vid! Thank you sir.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Sounds like a great idea to me.

[@andysponseller5941]

I would like one on steel. I hear easier to work with

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Still working on getting familiar with weighted steel line. It’s a tricky animal. I’ll put something out once I get better acquainted with it.

[@bryantburns3664]

@@andysponseller5941 copper is the way to go

[@patrickpeterson500]

I will the Nail not with a loop loop loop better for connection 1 by 1 It's more safer if you're not in a rush you can put little bit of a headsman in their super glue

[@andyglass5462]

Great video, Chris!! Thanks for taking the time

[@tangledtacklefishing]

You're welcome Andy. Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@bryantburns3664]

Dont rush this is great content

[@rjl1303]

Great video, Thanks for sharing the knowledge

[@tangledtacklefishing]

You are welcome.

[@crashdizwehavefun3738]

Great video! Thanks!

[@tangledtacklefishing]

You're welcome!

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

Again, newb here and this guy is very helpful. I look forward to fishing my new boat in manistee.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Ranger Rick you’re welcome again.

[@mpa7056]

Nice video. I used to do many of the same things you described. However I have switched now to weighted steel and after 3 seasons now. I like it better than our coppers we ran. It also eliminated any swivels and that occasionally binded up in the reel guide. Trial and error find whatever works for you. Love Manistee hope to be up there soon.

[@matthewspruell7593]

Thanks bud!

[@bryantburns3664]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@bmk506]

Nice!!

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Thanks BMK and thanks for watching.

[@garykocken1]

Great video. A camera tip... when trying to zoom in on the knot... just place the knot in the inside palm of your hand, which gives the camera more area to auto-focus against. Thanks again!

[@Fishing_Daddy_84]

Great video well done sir 👍🏻

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Thanks Eric. We absolutely appreciate it.

[@Fishing_Daddy_84]

I followed this video to learn how to spool 400ft 45# copper onto my 800 tekota for salmon. Turned out perfect! 👌🏻

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Eric Modny outstanding.

[@andysponseller5941]

Great video as always. Can you do a video explaining advantages and disadvantages of the all the lines and also terminology 3color vs 5 color. Show how to spool steel line. Actually a separate video on terminology would be good and all the abbreviations sab lc 50 2x plus 10 and all the things see in a fishing report or need to think about while fishing.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Thanks Andy for the nice comments. A terminology video is a great idea. I’ll put it in the works. Unfortunately weighted steel line is not something I’m completely familiar with yet. Once I get a good grasp on it I’ll do something on a video fur everyone.

[@nickb8618]

Only need Fluro on fly leaders. For leaders on copper mono is the way to go. Stretch is good in that leader

[@gregriley649]

Thank you for making this video it has been very helpful .here in Ohio no one does copper that I know of .keep up the good work 👍👍

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Happy to help Greg. We will keep on it.

[@alanmadison225]

Awesome video! Always appreciated! Will you be doing a video on spooling stainless wire?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

I can put that on the list. Thanks for watching and the nice comment.

[@markr.1547]

Thank you this is just what I needed to learn! IMO to become a good angler one needs to know how to tie the different knots because as you know stuff happens from time to time! Sure you can take it to the bait shop and have them do it but do you learn anything? Thanks again really appreciate it from the other side of the lake! Had 4 nice king bites this morning on 200 copper with hot FF.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheBugster65]

Watching all your videos out on the water, I see all your poles all setup and out in the water, how do you get your lines out with out tangling into another line? Then when you do get a fish on, do you bring in your lines or do you steer the boat and keep the fish directly behind the boat? Thank you for the nice video on setting up a copper setup, just bought a rod and reel to setup for copper.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Scott those are great questions. We have something in the works that should answer all of those questions and more.

[@phillipquinn1652]

Is there a reason you guys use the swivels instead of tying the line straight to the copper? As always awesome video and very easy to follow!!!

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Thanks Phil and that's a great question. Using the swivel keeps things tight and orderly. It helps the knots pass through reel's line guide and the rod eyes. I believe it the line also keeps it's integrity longer and is less prone to fatigue and wear.

[@dmjurge]

Ty for the video. What is the length of each segment of line again? Also, could you use Dipsy diver with cooper line?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Not sure what the lengths are out of memory. You can watch the video again to refresh yours.

[@andresbarros304]

Other quiestion is why you do not join backer direct yo your copper line. Thanks you in advance Andrés from Chile

[@tangledtacklefishing]

You definitely can tie it direct.

[@andresbarros304]

Thanks you and have a grate day

[@andresbarros304]

Hello, congratulations on your great video. I have this same reel and copper line, my question is why did you put so many feet of backing instead of less backing and more copper line. Since what we want is to fish at depth, I think it would be better to have more feet of copper line and less backing. please give me your reason. Thanks yoy in advance I am Andrés from Chile

[@tangledtacklefishing]

A certain amount of copper will target a specific depth. If you want to go as deep as possible then just put on as much copper as you can with minimal backer. But, if you want to target a specific depth you have to use a specific length of copper.

[@andresbarros304]

Thanks you very much, I need to go very deep

[@joannebackhaus]

1st year fishing lake Michigan. Would like to try copper next year. Confused on your setup. Could you explain why there are different lb.test between the braid-copper-mono and swivels? 50lb for this, 25lb for that.....confused???

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Setting up copper can be confusing until you do it a few times. I would recommend going into your local shop and have them set you up to begin. Just watch how they do it and the video will make much more sense. You have to have backer (mono or braid), then the copper and then the leader. It is optional to have a piece of mono added in for a place to place your planer board if you are running braid backer. Backer a minimum of 30 pound for mono or 50 pound for braid Copper will either be 32 or 45 pound test depending on your choice. Leader should be a minimum of 20 pound test. Hope this helps.

[@scottappley2626]

Not sure what the copper line is used for. I get the 300' to a board but is there a weight or diver at the end? Then a lure or is it flat lined? I've use lead core so I get that is this the same?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Copper line is a weighted line just like lead core, but it has a faster sink rate to you achieve greater depths with less line out. Lead core has some advantages over copper and vice versa and it's common for one to out-fish the other on certain days.

[@scottappley2626]

@@tangledtacklefishing Thanks for the explanation.

[@robertriccobono9209]

Once the copper line gets out of sync, how do you get it back inline with the line guide? I had a section of copper I had to cut and now the copper line and guide aren't in sync

[@tangledtacklefishing]

That is a problem. The easiest solution is to let it all the way out while fishing and reel it back in.

[@jondixon1392]

What is the gauge of wire you using and why not copper color ? We started using copper in the mid 80s 26ga to 22 ga ours is the type they use on elec motors 24 ga being my fav we put 80 - 100' mono leader then rod length leader at end this copper runs resl nice ,100' of 24 is 10' deep 200 -20 ,300-30' you proably call this micro copper

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Sorry but I have no idea what the gauge is or why it's not a more classic copper color.

[@sobins5001]

Is it the same for 150 copper? How much backing and how much copper?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

The same process, yes. It will depend on the reel capacity.

[@patrickpeterson500]

Hi 411 doing this video

[@brianagee8488]

Great videos you have enjoy them very much. If you happen to see this my question is about the line calculator. I understand how it works but how can a guy without a line winding station with a line counter measure the amount of line put on the reel? Is there something I am missing ? Thanks

[@tangledtacklefishing]

The easiest thing to do is to purchase a 100 foot tape and mark off sections in your driveway or nearby open area etc. Then just lay out the copper or lead core to whatever length you want and wind it in.

[@brianagee8488]

@@tangledtacklefishing ok gotcha like for calibrating a line counter reel. Thanks for the reply and keep up the great work!!!

[@v8consumption]

hey boss the knot is not correct. everything is correct but you pull the tag ends tight. sinch them down then pull the two lines together. leaves a better knot with way less bulk. and you are right about floro. I have never used a floro I like. the knot strength is not good.

[@tangledtacklefishing]

I understand what you're saying. I used to tie it exactly the way you are describing, but had more problems with getting hot spots or failing. After tying it thousands of times the way I do it in the video, with no problems, I'll stick to that method. I think either method is correct as long as the person using it has confidence in it.

[@sobins5001]

Can I send my reels in to get spooled with copper line? Where are you guys located at?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

The shop is in Manistee MI. Call them at 231-887-4242 to schedule a time to send them in. Or stop in and drop them off.

[@oldgravely]

is that pure copper with a tin coating on it?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Unsure.

[@phillipcolarusso1411]

How often do you change out the board mono?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

When it gets to about 10’. It doesn’t usually last more than one season.

[@phillipcolarusso1411]

@@tangledtacklefishing the short piece of 50 lb?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

@@phillipcolarusso1411 I misread your question as the leader section. The mono section that the board clips onto is only replaced when the rest of the line is replaced. About 2-3 seasons at most.

[@Noidea242]

Why do you shrink over the swivel?

[@tangledtacklefishing]

Good question Scott. Over time that haywire twist knot will start to unravel. The shrink tubing keeps it orderly and helps it pass through the rod eyelets and that reel's line guide.

[@steveg2509]

Never mind

[@tangledtacklefishing]

I will never mind.

[@steveg2509]

Chris, what's your email address, have some questions on buying a couple rod reels/spooling. Thanks