An open face or spinning reel consists of an arm that attaches the main reel body to the fishing rod, the reel body itself, a spool, a winding housing and a handle. The handle turns the winding housing, which spins around the spool, winding the line onto the reel spool. The housing holds a wire loop, called the bale, which guides the fishing line onto the spool. A good knot at the end of your line tied to the spool will prevent a fish from stripping your fishing line and allow you to wind new line on easily.
Step 1
Flip up the bail into the open position to allow free access to the spool.
Step 2
Thread the fishing line from the line spool, down through the guides on the fishing rod to the reel.
Step 3
Loop the end of the fishing line completely around the spool on the open face reel.
Step 4
Tie an overhand knot, loosely, about 4 inches from the end of the fishing line and around the main portion of the line to form a large slip knot and tighten the knot around the main line.
Step 5
Tie an overhand knot close to the end of the fishing line and tighten that knot. These combined knots form an Arbor knot. Pull the Arbor knot tight around the spool on the open face reel.
Step 6
Lower the bail into the closed position. The fishing line is now attached to the reel and ready to be wound onto the reel spool from the line spool.
Tips and Warnings
- When winding on new fishing line on an open face reel, fill the spool to about 1/4 inch from the edge of the spool. Keep tension on the line to wind it evenly and securely onto the spool.
Things You'll Need
- Fishing rod with open face reel
- New fishing line on line spool
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