7 hours ago, islandbass said:

So true! I forgot about that. I get around that a number of ways. 
1) position the spool in the same way as a bait caster. I remember seeing in my symetre’s manual it was not necessary to spool it coming the opposite way. 
2) for my other reels, if I’m not willing to soool them like my symetre, I cover the slit with painters tape. There might be  a little “bump” or hiccup but it is minimal and won’t damage the line. 

It never occurred to me to put a piece of masking tape over the slit. Thanks.

On 7/10/2025 at 7:59 AM, FishTank said:

I have only been doing this for a few years but I buy Smartwool socks for myself and family for Christmas.  I keep the striped band they put on the socks for my filler spools and I use masking tape on the actual spool itself.

 

Nice.  The NRX of socks.

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Nice.  The NRX of socks.

 

I have a drawer full of them. It started 20+ years ago. I still have most of them. I wasn't until this year my wife finally made me throw some away and they were still good. I only wear them to work and from about April till October I'm in flip flops after work and on the weekends so they might last forever. Also, I never pay full price for them. A few local shoe shops clearance them out just before Christmas and we have a Sierra store that carries them. 

 

Most of my cotton gym socks last 6 months or so. Oddly I can't stand to workout in Smartwool socks. 

Just trust me on this one.  Gaffers tape!

 

I rigged up some sinkers w 10lb leader.  I wrapped the line around the weight and taped it. I’m ready to unroll it and drop it into the ocean. 
 

leftover line on spools.  No-brainer.