Is it normal to get a few loops at the bottom of a spinning reel spool when fishing slack line techniques like senkos and Texas rigs? It has not caused any wind knots yet but I noticed it today while fishing. I’m using 10lb sufix 832 braid on an okuma stratus spinning reel . thanks 

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about, but I often get loops off the spool, then line is wrapped on top of them.  I think it's just part of this type fishing.  Keep an eye on the reel, and cast beyond them when noticed.  Put a little tension on the line as you reel it on after doing this.  Sort of "starts over." 

18 minutes ago, JustinJ said:

Is it normal to get a few loops at the bottom of a spinning reel spool

Post a pic of your spool so we can see the line-lay.

4 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Post a pic of your spool so we can see the line-lay.

 

13 minutes ago, MickD said:

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about, but I often get loops off the spool, then line is wrapped on top of them.  I think it's just part of this type fishing.  Keep an eye on the reel, and cast beyond them when noticed.  Put a little tension on the line as you reel it on after doing this.  Sort of "starts over." 

That’s exactly what’s happening. You explained it well. It seems to happen after I read lift and drop then reel in to make another cast with some  tension the line wraps over looser line 

Bottom pic you can see a lot of the loop I’m talking about 

Looks normal from here. Pinch the line when you reel if there's a big bow in the line from wind or excessive slack line and set the bail manually.

3 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

set the bail manually.

Yup!  Good to get into this habit as it handles line better and will most likely make the reel last longer.

8 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Looks normal from here. Pinch the line when you reel if there's a big bow in the line from wind or excessive slack line and set the bail manually.

 

4 minutes ago, MickD said:

Yup!  Good to get into this habit as it handles line better and will most likely make the reel last longer.

 

4 minutes ago, MickD said:

Yup!  Good to get into this habit as it handles line better and will most likely make the reel last longer.

Yes I always close bail by hand

It looks like there may be a really small gap at the bottom of the spool.  The reel should have come with some spacers.  Try adding 1 to the spool shaft and see if it helps.

32 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

It looks like there may be a really small gap at the bottom of the spool.  The reel should have come with some spacers.  Try adding 1 to the spool shaft and see if it helps.

Yeah there is a small gap. Reel didn’t come with any washers. $30 cheapo from dicks lol All I can afford at the moment and seemed to be the best option 

Its difficult to tell from the angle of the pics, but if there is really a gap, its not real bad.  Its much better the bottom of the spool vs the top.  I've had quite a few reels that cost more than 3x that price and they had terrible issues with line management.  You would get a 1/8 or 3/16 gap at the top of the spool.  When you would fight a good fish, the line would stack into the gap on the top.  The first cast after releasing the fish would be real gentle, just to try to get out any line that has dug into softer spots on the spool.  After a while you become confident there isnt any looser line stacked over taught line.  Eventually you try to reach a school past the breakers and BANG.  The spool sneezes a bird nest that wraps around the stripper guide and your plug is on its way to international waters.   

For a spacer, try Lowes specialty drawers in the hardware section.  You can find packs of 2,3 or 4 small washers. I used Hillman #8 lock washer with external teeth that worked for me in a reel I had.  I stopped looking when I found them, so I’m not sure whether or not they offer similar sized washers in rubber or nylon.

When fishing any reel with techniques that cause slack line to be taken up, it's common to make an occasional long cast and then reel up with tension to clean up the line on the spool.

8 hours ago, JustinJ said:

Yeah there is a small gap. Reel didn’t come with any washers. $30 cheapo from dicks lol All I can afford at the moment and seemed to be the best option 

Chuck a bait with some resistance like a heavier crankbait or whopper plopper way out there and crank it back in, then post a pic of the line lay.

12 hours ago, JustinJ said:

Yeah there is a small gap. Reel didn’t come with any washers. $30 cheapo from dicks lol All I can afford at the moment and seemed to be the best option 

 

if you get a big fish with that, you'll get line dig and won't get off another cast.  

It looks more like a line management issue no keeping the line tight. Try using your index finger on the spool between rod drops to keep some tension on the line. Another trick is make a short cast know and then and put a little tension on the with your finger when reeling back in.

Loose braid line isn’t good!

Tom

You can make shims from water bottle, coffee can lid, or milk jug. Should be plastic, must be flat. You don't want a gap. Never reel slack line on a spinning reel!