Michael Iaconelli
Spin Spooling

Photo: Bassmaster.com Mike Iaconelli says to eliminate line twist, your line must come off the filler spool in a counter-clockwise direction.

For an answer, BassFan turned to none other than spinning-reel master Mike Iaconelli. Here's his advice.

Use Backing

"People hate spinning reels because of the line problem," Ike said. "The line doesn't go on right, it kinks, gets twisted, knotted, all of that. I've come up with a system of putting line on where it's almost 100% guaranteed you won't get that line twist.

"I always put about 20 yards of backing on the spinning reel. It can be anything. I usually use junk (leftover) line, or I just leave 20 yards of whatever's left there when I change line. You never really use that line and it saves money too. That's important when you're using an expensive line like fluorocarbon.

"I tie the backing off to the spool. (This means Ike ties the backing to itself, effectively increasing the diameter of the spool --Ed.) Then I put on the (new) line."

Load It Right

Spooling new line onto a spinning reel can be tricky, because the line is already coiled on the filler spool. The trick is to keep those coils intact, and transfer them onto your reel spool.

"When the line's coming off the (filler) spool, the line has to be coming off counter-clockwise – the opposite direction that (the reel spool) is winding it," Ike said.

"The third thing I do is use a silicone-based spray when I'm putting the line on. You can use Blakemore Reel Magic or whatever you want. I spray it onto a soft cloth – the same kind of cloth you buff car wax out with – and when I'm winding the line on, I bring it through the soft cloth.

"I also don't spool it to the rim of the (reel) spool. I always leave somewhere around a quarter-inch of space to the edge.

"If you do those things, when you get on the water, you shouldn't have problems."

Other Tips

Ike offered these additional words of advice.