Fishing line gets twisted in many different ways while fishing. A spinning lure, fighting a fish on a spinning reel against drag and getting trash on your swivel will all twist your line. Here are several ways to remove the twist and quickly return to fishing.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: A Few Minutes Depending On Method Chosen
Here's How:
- If you are in a boat, remove terminal tackle and let the line out behind the boat while moving at idle speed. After letting most of the line on your reel out behind the boat, drag it for a minute or so then reel it in slowly. It will be straight with no twists when you reel it in. Make sure it is spooled tightly on your reel by keeping tension on the line as you reel in.
- On the bank, find a clear place you can let your line out on the ground and not get it tangled. Prop the rod up and walk the end of the line with no terminal tackle on it out as far as it will go. Return to the rod and reel and slowly retreive your line. Hold it tightly between thumb and forefinger of your free hand to make it untwist and to spool it tightly as you reel it in.
- If the line is badly twisted, tie a good ball swivel to the end of your line. Attach the swivel to a tree branch and walk away, letting line out as you walk. When it is all off the spool, pull against the branch and keep tension on the line, letting it untwist with the swivel. Slowly reel and walk toward the swivel end to respool the line, keeping it tight as you walk.
- If you are fishing in flowing water like a steam or river, remove terminal tackle and let the current pull the line off your reel. Let enough line out to get past the twisted part. Let it drag in the current for a couple of minutes and then reel it in slowly, making sure it is tight on the spool by pinching it between your thumb and forefinger as you reel it in. Make sure there is nothing in the water downstream to snag or tangle your line.
- Frank from Mtn Home AR warns: One thing MUST be added to your article. NEVER, NEVER let all the line out without holding on to it near the end that is on the reel. Several times I have not done that and consequently the line is not tied to the reel, especially with Zebco reels. I even bought a walleye rod and reel from a sporting (fishing tackle only) goods store and had lead core line put on the reel, only to find out that it had not been tied to the reel. Good way to lose new costly line.
Tips:
- Make sure you respool your line tightly on the reel.
- Spool your line correctly when putting it on to avoid twisting it.
- Change your line regularly to avoid twisting and other problems.
What You Need:
- Twisted line on your reel.
- Quality Ball Bearing Swivel
