Been fishing twice now and tangled my line both times. What am I doing wrong?
The rod I'm using is one of those pre-set up spinning rod and tackle box combos from Big 5. It was only 40 dollars and I wanted to make sure I liked fishing before I spent a lot more on decent equipment. I have a feeling that maybe the line may not have been wound properly on the spool and I'm just getting what I paid for. That seems to be what other people with the same issues that I've seen are getting advice on.
The first time it happened my lure got stuck on something at the bottom of the pond and I just kept reeling my line. got a pretty good tangle and had to cut a lot of line. learned what not to do next time. the second time I never hooked anything, just threw a cast and my line didn't go very far. noticed a pretty big knot by one of the loops in the rod. Are tangles just inevitable with a spinning rod? or is there something else I'm not considering?
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by Rushin_Rulet
The line that comes on those combos is like the worst stuff and likely very old as well. Take it to a actual tackle shop and get them to put new mono on it.
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by 5uper5kunk
I'll have to look into some local ones around here. Hopefully get some advice on how to reel my own spool. thanks!
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by Rushin_Rulet
It's not hard to do, but it's also not immediately apparent if you are doing it correctly or not. It is absolutely worth a few bucks to get some new mono put on it.
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by 5uper5kunk
There is a VAST difference between fishing lines. Once you have a good line properly installed you will STILL have other problems! You will have to learn to NEVER reel when the drag is slipping as you are putting a twist in the line with every revolution and you will soon end up with a bird's nest when casting. If your line DOES twist you can take everything off the line, i.e. hooks, sinkers, plugs, floats, etc. then let all the line out behind the boat as you go forward. Once ALL the line is out you can then reel it all in and attach your fishing lures or whatever and try again. Adjust your drag and DON'T reel if a fish is taking line! Stop reeling, keep a tight line and battle the fish with the bent rod until you can reel again and gain line on the fish. You can also lock the reverse on the reel and fight a fish by reeling backward, in cadence with the speed of the fighting fish. I personally have used a number of fishing lines over the years and MANY years ago settled on the Green Trilene in XTRA TOUGH , NEVER XTRA LIMP! The XTRA LIMP was responsible for MANY "bird's nests and loss of line. ALSO it is IMPORTANT NOT to put too much line on the spinning reel or you WILL HAVE massive bird's nests and tangles. Match the SIZE of the line to your fishing needs. A 6 pound test line is a good all around choice and will land most ANY fish if played properly. For pan fish a 4 pound line is a good choice. You can replace your own line by eliminating twists as you go. Put a pen or pencil through the hole in the spool and hold the spool and let it roll by itself as you reel. Watch the line and turn the spool if you have any twists starting and monitor that through out the procedure. You can also take the rod and reel outside when you are done and attach a practice casting plug designed for that and cast out and reel in to straighten out the line. Good Luck!
Donald gave excellent advice..put a practice plug on your combo, cast out behind a slow moving boat and that will straighten out many kinks.
This is why I prefer open faced reels....you can see what is happening.
Yup, like they said go get new line and have them spool it for you ,if not spooled on right you will always have problems .Don't give up ,once you learn to use spinning gear you will like it .The best thing ask some one who fishes a lot to show you how to use it .You will save a lot of grief .
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