JOIN ME: Standing Up Against Fishing Line Manufacturers...

[Kevin]

Hi Guys,

I think it's time we put some pressure on the fishing line companies to stop doing something that is making us (me included) furious...

Click Here To See Why We Need To Take A Stand

Thanks and take care,

Kevin Scarselli
BassFishin.Com

[CamG]

There's a simple solution to this problem...duct tape.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by CamG

There's a simple solution to this problem...duct tape.

Haha... I actually have tried using tape (not duct tape though) to cover up the notch. To be honest, taping it over doesn't work great either and I'll even have the line catch the edge of the tape.. especially if it starts coming undone.

But we shouldn't have to break out a roll of tape to spool a spinning reel!

I've even tried keep my rod tip out away from the notch, so the line comes off the spool away from the snag. You'd think this would work, but it doesn't. While it does help some, it still catches the notch.

Some brand's notches aren't so bad, while others are horrendously snaggy.

[zooker]

ya for got to add ande mono line 2000 ft spools no notches....

zooker

[CamG]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Haha... I actually have tried using tape (not duct tape though) to cover up the notch. To be honest, taping it over doesn't work great either and I'll even have the line catch the edge of the tape.. especially if it starts coming undone.

But we shouldn't have to break out a roll of tape to spool a spinning reel!

I've even tried keep my rod tip out away from the notch, so the line comes off the spool away from the snag. You'd think this would work, but it doesn't. While it does help some, it still catches the notch.

Some brand's notches aren't so bad, while others are horrendously snaggy.

Small pieces of duct tape works well for me on the AbrazX this last go around.

[Bassboss]

I tend to agree, them notches can get kinda annoying when yer putting line on a spinning reel.

Oh, and I've got a spool on P-line with a notch - CXX.

[nofearengineer]

Kevin...good luck on your crusade against the evil Notch Horde.

And Anthony thinks I get mad over little stuff hehe.

[BassMoJo]

Just throw it in the pool and start reelin

[bassinbob]

Let's hope you notch one up for victory. I'm notch sure if it'll work. If you do get them to stop making them that'll be a notch on your gunbelt.

[1/4 stick]

I know why they do it. To keep the end of the line from coming loose, causing the line to unravel off the spool, and the notchis most likely cheaper than the rubber bands. They do the same thing on spools of thread. (My mama's a seamstress) And the same thing happens when she's trying to sew if she forget to put the spool on with the notch on the bottom.

[Bender]

Glad (not really glad) to see that others have this problem. I swore off BPS Fluoro because I had so much trouble spooling it up due to that notch. I suppose I should let BPS know why I will never be buying their line again.

[BigBassin144]

I think this is a pointless argument. I've never had any problems spooling up with these so called evil notches. However, I don't spool my spinning reels off the side of the spool. I use the same old phonebook trick that I use for baitcasters.

I will be spooling up next time like Kevin suggested to see if this is a real problem or if it's an over exaggerated issue like you see countless times on infomercial demonstrations. You know, when the non-Ronco knives clearly crush the loaf of bread which has nothing to do with him pushing down on the top of the loaf...

In fact, I like the notches better than that stupid piece of white "tape" other line companies use to hold the tag end on the spool. the tape never stays on, and I've lost countless pieces. I find it very hard, or near impossible, to lose the notches on the spool, or more specifically, whatever is used on the back of the spool to hold the line. The notches are there just for one reason only, and that is to keep the line from slipping around the spool when it is clipped/wrapped to the holder on the back of the spool.

I'd like to know if anyone has contacted any of the line manufacturers to ask why they use them. I'm sure its for the reason I stated above, but there could be other reasons.

I beleive if it is as big of a problem as it is made out to be here, then the line companies would have already fixed the problem.

BB

[Fishnngolfn]

I like the piece of tape because I use it like Kevin does. I stick it to the reel and write down the line strength on the rod. That way I know how to set my drag properly.

[Bassboss]

Personally, I'm all for the no notches. Especially if it means they replace it for something better! IMO, the best line holder is the one GAMMA uses. It's little aluminum band, that bends back to hold the line, and you just bend it opposite the way the line is going when you're spooling up.

[ALL]

I agree, the notch is a bummer. Here is a little trick that might help. Lay the spool on the ground with the notch facing you. Then take a few steps backwards so that tip of the rod is between you and the spool. The line should com off at a slight angle away from the spool and miss the notch. If this does not make sense let me know and I post a few pictures.

[WTL]

I was just gonna say, if you have some notched spools of new line that you can no longer stomach having in your presence, you can send them to me and I will dispose of them in a particularly violent manner. I will even allow you to pay the shipping costs.

[brushhog]

I assure you my method of disposal will be even more violent than WTL. Also, I will allow you to pay me in addition to the shipping cost!

[BigBassin144]

Ok, like I promised, I did use Kevin's method of spooling a spinning reel with some Sufix Elite and had no problems what so ever. I did find this method does seem to work much better at keeping twist down. and I'll be using it again.

And I've thought of a simple solution to the spool notch problem (if you believe it is a real problem): Don't use line with notched spools.

BB

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Ok, like I promised, I did use Kevin's method of spooling a spinning reel with some Sufix Elite and had no problems what so ever. I did find this method does seem to work much better at keeping twist down. and I'll be using it again.

Each brand's notch is different. All notches are not created equal.

Take the Bass Pro Shops XPS Fluorocarbon spool for instance, as Bender referred to earlier... you can't go two turns of the reel handle without flipping the spool.

Compare that to Seaguar's spool (ie. AbrazX)... it probably flips 1-3 times per spooling. Sometimes it will even spool without flipping, if you're lucky and careful.

I've closely observed why the notches snag the line so much, and many times it isn't the cut-out itself, but rather a "burr" on the edge of the notch from where the spool was pulled from a mold perhaps.

ALL provided a valuable tip that does work to help reduce snagging the notch... I definitely recommend following his instructions if you have problems, as I do the same kinda thing.. and it helps.

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I did find this method does seem to work much better at keeping twist down. and I'll be using it again.

When spooling spinning reels, the line should never come off the top or bottom of the line spool... as it will add twist to your line going on the reel. For anyone who doesn't know what I'm referring too, I've made a video demonstrating the correct way to spool a spinning reel.

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

And I've thought of a simple solution to the spool notch problem (if you believe it is a real problem): Don't use line with notched spools.

I think anglers should use the line they have confidence in. I'm not going to stop buying line on notched spools if I think the line is superior to others. I'll continue to put up with the frustration if they continue to make good line. I'm just asking them to stop using notched spools because the notch adds no to little-added value in the scheme of things and it is so easy to drop the notch.

Bender just said he swore off XPS Fluorocarbon because of the notch. That's a hell of a reason to lose a customer... because you decided to put a notch in a spool. A worthless, insignificant notch.

[Embrey]

I thought there was actually gonna be something serious here...

I spool BPS flouro all the time. I stick a screwdriver in the hole into my bench and reel it up. Never had a problem yet. I've been through about 10 spools this year so far.

[Abbeysdad]

Originally Posted by Embrey

I thought there was actually gonna be something serious here...

I spool BPS flouro all the time. I stick a screwdriver in the hole into my bench and reel it up. Never had a problem yet. I've been through about 10 spools this year so far.

There you go and you're unspooling the reverse of how it was spooled which creates less twisting.
In the biz, we take samples from stationary spools, but product is always decreeled from spinning spools.

[screwballl]

Get a toothpick, stick it in the notch, break it off even with the edge of the spool and use a knife or sandpaper to smooth it over.
Also I have found if the spool is tilted about 45º is less liekly to catch on the notch... still happens but less frequently.

Another option is to just get a line spooler for $12 from BassPro or other retailers. LINK This one is for spinning reels, they also have another that sits differently for baitcasters and spincast reels - LINK

[HarveysMinnow]

Greetings fellow members. I'm a newbie to this forum (even though I've been fishing for bass for at least 50 years), so please bear with me if I commit a breech of protocol by posting in the wrong place. One thing Ive learned in all these years of fishing: No matter how much you know there's always more to learn...and that includes learning how to use this forum.

I wanted to post a comment to the thread on line spool notches, but I found that this thread had been closed. In the past, I've run into this infernal notch issue also, and I came up with a rudimentary solution:

What we need is a secondary surface for the line to impinge upon as it leaves the spool, so that the line cannot dig into the notch. This requires finding something with a slightly larger diameter than the spool, which can be temporarily fastened to the spool on the side facing the reel. I have found that a discarded CD-ROM works well for most line spools. Use double sided tape to mount the CD against the spool, and try to get it as close to centered as possible. If the CD isn't wide enough to protrude beyond the spool lip, try something else, like an aluminum pie plate or anything with a smooth circular edge. Whatever you use, it just needs to be fixed flat against the side of the spool, so that the notches are taken out of the equation.

I hope this suggestion is worthy of your consideration and that it will remove some of the frustrations involving notched spools.

and remember...

[islandbass]

Welcome! And your solution is simple genius. I sure look forward to your future posts.

[Mac2]

HarveysMinnow, great idea and thanks for sharing. Just thinking out loud along your idea....I think a round headed bolt in the CD might work and just insert the bolt into the spool hole.....with the weight of the bolt, I don't think you'd need to use the tape.....the bolt would have to be a tad shorter than the depth of the spool and if you happened on a snug fit between the bolt and the spool, even better yet....could even wrap the bolt with a little electrical tape for a snug fit.....also reuseable.

At any rate, Welcome to the Board and Good Fishing.....Mac