Spool Your Reel Perfectly and Save Money with Backing Line!

Getting a reel filled up, especially when using backing line can be a bit tricky. So Andy has a fool proof method to get it right every time!
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[@brian1204]

Another tip(apologies if it was said before): if you do happen to, as I have done several times, tied the new line on without opening the bail first, no need to cut and retie! Take the spool off the reel, open the bail, and put the spool back on. That will do it!

[@delwigzieful]

All manufacturers should reduce the capacity on there spools we don't need 200 metre spools etc it ridiculous.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

* their spools

[@dawisdeividas762]

You need for carps

[@stephennoble2647]

They should supply their reels with a shallow spool and and a deep spool. But instead they make you buy a second spool to make them more money. Personally I like a decent amount of line on my spools. I don't like to do a longer cast and see the backing line showing through, so usually buy the 300m spools of line and put all best line on instead of any backing line.

[@mickrussell934]

So glad i’ve been doing it right for years 😂 Good tips again 👍👍 Don’t forget the bail arm, done that a few times myself 🤦‍♂️

[@Andyfishing23]

Yep, I do that one as well 😆

[@stephenarmstrong6620]

Top tip as usual boys. Keep saying mr may knows a lot more than he lets on. Mr w raisin speaks v highly of him.👏👏

[@stevemccrory9130]

I think they were in the Junior / Intermediate England teams around the same time.

[@bing434]

It would be great if the reel manufacturers would supply a spare spool made of a cheaper material (maybe even hard plastic) that could be used to properly load the spare spool in the way Andy describes. Maybe Andy could use his influence at Preston to suggest this. Thanks for the guide lads 👍🏻

[@sillybait1329]

I have been thinking this for a while, Shimano make reducers but only supply one so you still have to double spool your reels

[@reNn_fps]

Mine does

[@davidarwood6264]

They do MOST reels don't.

[@poppypoopapie]

Snag is the spare spool is normally a different size, so I would have to purchase another spool(Even 2) to load the line.

[@DBCooper2]

Thanks pal

[@stevemccrory9130]

Reverse spooling is actually better because it means the backing UNDER the actual fishing is going onto the 2nd spool at a lower diameter. With the narrower fishing line on top there will be a minute difference in how the line sits on the spool at the end. There will be a bigger gap between the spool lip and the line, barely visible to the naked eye. This is better in the long run. Top tip.....once you've counted the turns of backing - WRITE IT DOWN or CREATE A NOTE ON YOUR PHONE for future reference.

[@martinkeene]

Superb method! Just tried it myself for the first time, got 150m of Pulse Pro on a spool perfectly flush with the lip! 😍

[@davidsmith2663]

Perfect way to load a spool of line but how do you load the empty spool when the other one is full? Buy a 3rd spool? or count the number of turns of backing to load the 2nd spool with and load with a similar diameter of line.?

[@philippitt1190]

Demi far too fast. Just can’t follow how you are attaching line to the spool. All demonstrations are the same. 😢Regards Phil

[@newsmonger77]

Float Max is fantastic line. 👍👌 For me, one spool of Float Max is enough to load two reels.

[@SensitivityIsland]

Boy was i confused until you got the other spool put to reverse it! Gr8 stuff !

[@_Nate_Clarke_]

As a begginer this had blown my mind I spent a fortune spooling my reel.

[@Sencess]

Why dont you just put the red line on first and then the thinner line?

[@davidleigh2573]

Nice on Andy. Its a failsafe method that I have used for years. Stay safe and thanks

[@Etanial]

Beginners question here. Why do you need two reels to add backing? Why not just reel the cheap line on first, then attach it to braided spool and reel that on? Then you dont need two reels right?

[@Artisan_Taylor]

Because you won't know how much of the cheap braided line you would need to put on, in order to ensure that your good line finishes at the place you want it to on the spool. If you put too much cheap line on, you could end up having to use only part of the spool of your good line or risk it extending over the lip of your spool and cause tangles. Hopefully, my explanation makes sense.

[@dennishughes3250]

My entire fishing life when I have joined two lines together I have tied a blood knot in one go. Fiddly and frustrating. And I have just learnt that two half bloods do the same thing. Much easier to tie with the exact same result. Do I feel stupid....

[@lennyboy57]

So we have to buy another spool ? That's not convenient

[@winningwaysbasics]

A lot of reels will come with a spare, if not you'll just have to guesstimate the amount of backing.

[@25094125]

Fantastic bit of kit, used mine 3 times now on double maggot, had over 170 roach, 10 carp and a 3 1/2 perch (pb) and I'm just a pleasure angler, definitely given me the confidence to go for the odd match 👍

[@MegaVinny73]

May well be worth you doing a video specifically on your book to advertise it, 2-3 minute or something, so its a specific vid and promotes it further. I've ordered.

[@stevenmoses5807]

Brilliant I needed one of these videos I always struggle spooling up. Cheap line goes on so good it looks like picasso painted it on . Expensive stuff is like spaghetti and I've tried every way possible . Still looks like shit . Thank f.,CK for wining ways

[@ryansmith-ht1lg]

I’ve wasted so many spools trying different ways but I’ve tried this tonight and it’s worked perfectly, cheers Andy! 🎣

[@markwilliams6191]

As an older novice to this wonderful hobby I found this an extremely helpful and useful guide for when I order my new reel to go with the feeder rod I have just acquired, cheers Andy for making this look nice and simple even for my limited experience. 👍

[@paulloughlin-sm4rq]

The old Mitchell reels were supplied with deep and shallow spools for thin and thicker line very good design

[@Floridaman457]

a bucket of water you say? No more break dancing dancing spools 🤯

[@garethwatkins6347]

Does the backing line have to be a bigger diameter than main line or can you use any suze diameter line ? cheers

[@markbarnsley4281]

Andy love the tip but what can do if I haven't got a spare spool

[@mikefairless8713]

Nothing better than a nice new spool of line loaded on 😊. Great tip for this process. 👍🏻

[@GeorgeJoVassilatos]

the best way Andy if you have a spare spool. But if you haven't ? That's the case

[@winningwaysbasics]

Just guesstimate the amount of backing, obviously the capacity of the spool will give you an indication but it’s a bit of trial and error to get it perfect.

[@colinpritchard777]

What if you’ve not got a spare spool

[@stefanjagger]

Good tips, thanks. Why don't they just make shallower spools of 150m?

[@winningwaysbasics]

Some reels will come with shallower spools, obviously a lot won't so it's worth knowing how to do :)

[@russ8544]

Brilliant, why didn't I think of that.

[@jonsheard8749]

Easy when you know……I now know. Big thanks.

[@darrenslaughter5754]

How do you fill up the spare 🤔

[@bennyboy0773]

How come Andy did: Float Max then backing line on top, and then reel to reel to get the float max back on the top, rather than just loading the backing line and then the float max on top?

[@winningwaysbasics]

To get it exactly loaded rather than guessing and messing it up 👍🏻

[@bennyboy0773]

@@winningwaysbasics oh awesome, never thought of it that way. Thanks 👍🏼

[@AntonyBarker]

So once i've spooled up the first spool how do i do the second spool?? I don't have a spare spool to transfer

[@brian1204]

That is a fly in the ointment! Also an issue is if the spare spool included with the reel is shallower or deeper than the other!

[@jiggageoff]

How do you know how much backing to use on the empty😇 spool your left with?

[@winningwaysbasics]

Count the turns of the handle when you’re doing the backing and you’ll be able to get the next one bang on if you’re using the same backing 👍🏻

[@MegaVinny73]

Lovely job and great vid

[@michaelorchard5728]

Hi guys, quick question I’m useless at knotting lines together, is there a reason why you can’t just use a bulk spool of line like some of the Diawa and Guru lines? Then you can put the line on from one lot all in one go?

[@winningwaysbasics]

You can, this was just showing how to do it if you need to use backing with the smaller spools a lot of lines come on now 👍🏻

[@michaelorchard5728]

Thanks for the reply, I will give it a go, especially as you did the close up on how to do it, I might even manage it with my sausage fingers.

[@Andyfishing23]

Hey, Andy/Jamie. I’m really struggling with distance feeder fishing 50m + I’m using braid with 8lb shock leader, free running rig and 2oz tip. It’s a very good rod and reel but for some reason I keep cracking off or breaking my tips in a session. I’m confident in my set up and have big guides for the knot to go through on my shock leader but I feel it’s my casting technique. If you guys could make a short video or reply with any help it would be very much appreciated! Thanks, Andy

[@mugen5588]

I was fishing the method feeder at nearly that exact same distance the other day, small drennan feeder with 6lb mono not even close to cracking off. What weight are you casting and is the leader also braided?

[@Andyfishing23]

@@mugen5588 I’m using a 12ft feeder rod, mainline is braid with 8lb shield mono. 30gram feeder which could be too light but feels heavy enough when loaded with groundbait? I can do 10 casts absolutely fine and then ‘crack’ I must point out that it never snaps at the shock leader knot.

[@mugen5588]

@@Andyfishing23 30g feeder and 2oz tip seems like a good combo. honestly the only thing I can think of that wouldn't cause a snap directly on the leader knot, is that the leader knot is snagging on one of the last rings, which are typically tiny, causing huge pressure on tip and line. due to how the tip compresses more than a normal rod, I bet it's also hitting it at an awkward angle. I've had 80lb sea fishing leaders ping directly back at me for that exact reason, until I moved to tapered. if you have another reel loaded with mono and can try the same cast on the same rod that's your answer, if not hopefully someone else knows. good luck!

[@Andyfishing23]

@@mugen5588 Thanks a lot for your response. I think I will do that. I will try a different spool with just 8lb mono straight through and see how it goes. I need to double check the diameter of my braid but I think it’s quite thin and my leader knot is fine and smallest I can get it. I think you could be right with the angle of the guides too, the last eye was fairly straight compared to the others so I’ve made a slight bend in it. We’ll see how it goes but thanks again. I enjoy the distance fishing and want to get it right but it’s disheartening when you can’t put your finger on the problem.

[@stevemccrory9130]

Sounds like you're getting line frap - too many coils of line coming off the reel too fast - which is a problem with dry braid. This results in a lack of distance, wind knots (a weak point), and difficulty with the line going through the narrower tip guides. Wet braid is softer and reduces these problems. Find yourself a mini atomiser and keep spraying that spool. This is a great habit to get into, and braid that is too wet just doesn't exist.

[@magpies77]

Done same for years

[@allanburton49]

What about the spare spool Andy 🤔

[@winningwaysbasics]

Count the turns of the handle when you’re doing the backing and you’ll be able to get the next one bang on if you’re using the same backing 👍🏻

[@allanburton49]

But there would be no spare spool to do the same as first one?

[@winningwaysbasics]

When you’re doing the backing on the first, count your reel turns. Then you know and can go straight on with the backing on the second spool rather than reversing it.

[@sidonthebank]

Any issues with line twist when you're spooling the line from the bucket ???

[@richardwebb6045]

@@winningwaysbasics Works brilliant and so accurately but what if you want to fish with a different diameter mono or even use braid on the spare spool (which most people would do)?