Spooling problems

Unfortunately, the ole Triangle line winders are underpowered to properly wind on spectra onto reels unless it is the model that costs upwards of $2000 to acquire and that model has the motor with the guts to put that spectra on. The HD Triangle winders were not made to put spectra on... just mono. That line winder is very much in use in most tackle stores today. The shops that specialize in spectra and longrange/big game fishing have the heavier duty models. Just be sure what machines they have before they spool your reels. I have a Sato Line Winder that uses a 6 amp 1/2 inch drill for a motor that that has the guts to really wind on the spectra tight onto any reel. For the cost of $300 for the Sato kit plus the cost of a hand drill, it comes out to less than $400 and is a very good investment if you do a lot of reels with spectra. That spectra needs to come off the reels for washing periodically or else your spool will start to rust out. I don't like the letting of line out behind the boat as you are forcing salt intrusion deep down into your spool of line and making the rust problem worst. When fishing, most of that line never sees the salt water so the salt intrusion, while it still occurs, will be lessen. Spectra needs periodic fresh water washing so the investment into a good strong line winder is a must, in my opinion. What I have heard other do is the following. They wind the spectra under as much tension as they can onto a reel like a Penn 6/0 or the bigger 9/0. Then the mount the reel onto a rod and reel the spectra back onto their target reel against the drag of the 6/0 or 9/0 reel. Of course, you will need a way to hold the rod with the Penn reel still while you reel all that spectra back onto your target reel.

Kil, you were typing while I was typing too. You have the short version but we do agree in the end. lol

yes- BUT! we both HOPE they tied the knot onto the spoll good. WE can looop the spectra NEAR the bottom of the reel spool around something to hold it when it gets close to make sure it was tied on well, and has vet wrap on it to keep from slipping. Order a 50yd topshot from basil of 80# line (whatever your preference is). I imagine this is your bottom/heavy chunk rig?

I think the knot is tied good. I HOPE!!! I have never used the vet wrap before but I am now thinking it might be a good idea. The Penn has some grip on the spool unlike my other reels but, better safe than sorry.

I guess we can let it all out and then tie it off. I can then put on the vet wrap? and the re-spool the line. The line I have on it is JB 130#. I also have 2 topshots made up for this reel and they are 80#. I had a big spool of 80# laying around and after learning to make the windons I decided to make a lot of stuff.

This will be the bottom /chunking rig, but I will mainly let my Pops use it as I will not mind switchin the new John Baker between jiggin and chunking so that I can try it in different situations.

Plus after my conversation with John he is putting a reel together specifically, with the mod I needed, for me at no extra charge. He just asked that I give an in depth report of how the reel worked for me...

Here is what I do and it is ******* as all hell--I have even done it to put almost a thousand yards of 130 on an ATD 50W:

1. I "de-spool" the reel by stripping it off with one of those electric drill attachments you chuck into the drill and then screw onto a plastic water bottle--in this case, a BIG one. I then tape the tag end to the bottle and paste on a label as to line/test/length.

2. I put the reel on a rod with conventional guides and then run the new line from the spool through the first guide only and then onto the reel. I tie the new line to the reel arbor, and then apply the ******* solution as follows:

3. I put a towel on the carpet to prevent discoloration of same. I then take the spool of line and place it down on the towel with the line spooling off it up to the rod and reel which I place in my lap. I put a wooden dowel through the spool that is long-enough for me to place a bare foot on each side to apply pressure.

4. I then reel the line onto the reel while applying pressure with my feet and manually feeding it onto the reel.

No-the pressure is not uniform and yes, it is damned tiring, but it works and I can get the line on the reel damned tight.

The tricky part is later on when you have time, you have to spool the old line (if you want to keep it for any reason, and with braid you probably do) onto a spool from which you can put it onto a reel when you desire.) I do this manually, but I'm sure you could work it with a drill some way.

Russ