In the process of spooling up 20 closed face, spinning, and bait casting reels for a youth fishing day. Grabbed one of these at Cabela's when I was picking up line. Aside from the assembly instructions, which made little sense, I give this a thumbs up.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/berkley-portable-line-spooler-max?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|Generic|AllProducts|High|SSCCatchAll&gclid=CjwKCAjwoNuGBhA8EiwAFxomAzEZTpt7kyOhJSMZGTuuSKC2KUXKo5q2Q4xJTTBpr0nRAyb73QD62hoC6-IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have the older version.  I like it better than a powered spooler.   Spinning reels can be tricky though but wouldn't trade it for the world.   Great tool to have around. 

Agreed and I also have the older version. Use it for fly reels, spinning and now BC’s. Works great!

8 hours ago, slonezp said:

In the process of spooling up 20 closed face, spinning, and bait casting reels for a youth fishing day. Grabbed one of these at Cabela's when I was picking up line. Aside from the assembly instructions, which made little sense, I give this a thumbs up.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/berkley-portable-line-spooler-max?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|Generic|AllProducts|High|SSCCatchAll&gclid=CjwKCAjwoNuGBhA8EiwAFxomAzEZTpt7kyOhJSMZGTuuSKC2KUXKo5q2Q4xJTTBpr0nRAyb73QD62hoC6-IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have looked at that and the ratings at Cabelas were so poor I skipped it.  I may have to take another look.   I had made my own, but it has flaws.  I hope others chime in with opinions.  It seems like you guys really like it.  I trust Bass Resource waaaaaaaaay more than Cabelas for info.   

4 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

I have looked at that and the ratings at Cabelas were so poor I skipped it.  I may have to take another look.   I had made my own, but it has flaws.  I hope others chime in with opinions.  It seems like you guys really like it.  I trust Bass Resource waaaaaaaaay more than Cabelas for info.   

For 40 years I've spooled up my reels using a pencil or similar wedged in a chair or something similar. I made a contraption out of some tupperware last year that worked ok.

 

If you're doing a few reels, I don't see the advantage. I had 20 reels to fill today. I bet I cut my time in half. I spooled them up with a 1700 yard spool of 8lb test Trilene Big Game. Stripped and refilled 20 reels in 3 hours. The 3 hours included screwing with the cats that were obsessed with the hunter orange 3/8oz plugs. Yes, I was fishing for cats...LOL 

I thought about getting a spooling tool but it would upset my wife if I didn't walk in the house at 11:30 pm and hand her a spool of line & wood dowel. She just loves participating in my fishing trip prep.?