If using mono, and starting with a bare spool, is there any reason to tie the line to the spool? Provided the spool has holes of course.

I have heard of folks just sticking the line in a hole and start reeling, and I have done it myself on a rare occasion. I am more comfortable with tying an arbor knot, but I do change my line a lot and it would save me a lot of time not doing so. I always position the knot so that it's over one of the holes.

I know with braid, you need to have a mono backing to keep it from slipping.

What about flouro? Can I just run it into one of the holes the same as mono? Of should it be tied for some fluoro specific reason?

Twice my former neighbor cast a Curado out and dropped it over the side. I was able to get it back by snagging the line. All of the line spooled off as I was hauling it in. If the line weren’t tied to the spool it would be in Davy Jone’s locker.

The kind of line doesn’t matter.

If the holes are there that’s where I tie.

Mike

Without the holes I simply tie 2 overhand knots.

I'm an avid braid user so always have backing and connect that to the main line via an Alberto.

Arbor knot + mylar-film/ acrylic-glue tape - nothing is stronger or thinner than this tape, and it leaves zero residue.

Some say that tying the line through the holes may have a tendency to cut the line. I use the arbor or uni knot to tie to the spool.

Some of the times I've tied through the holes, I've had the line get cut when I tried tighten it down. A few times it was okay if I was real careful.

The other day, on the water, I respooled and just stuck the mono in the hole and started winding. I guess if I lived in a place where I could potentially get into tarpon or other huge fish, I would be more worried. Course, a huge catfish could spool me I guess.

There is no benefit to not tying it to the spool. It’s very marginal that it will ever be important but there is zero harm in doing it regardless of line type.

The last time I spooled a reel just putting the line through a hole in the spool, I didn't realize my spool wasn't as full after a while fishing and re-tying. switched to a trap, and cast it off on the first cast. I still might have lost it with the line tied to the spool when the trap hit the end of the line, but I always remember that.

I tie a couple of overhand knots and put a small piece of electrical tape over it on all my reels.

I don't tie it anymore.

I have backing on my reels, so I tie with two overhand knots. Then I put a piece of painter's tape over the knot. When I can see the tape clearly or feel the knot then I know it's time for new line.

Not tying your line to the spool is like not wearing a seat belt. You may never need it, but there may be a time when you need every back up safety plan in place.

20 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Twice my former neighbor cast a Curado out and dropped it over the side. I was able to get it back by snagging the line. All of the line spooled off as I was hauling it in. If the line weren’t tied to the spool it would be in Davy Jone’s locker.

I usually tie an arbor knot and while it's not the strongest knot, it easily takes several times the weight of the reel to break that knot still.

A lot of my spools don't have holes, so tying it is not option. On ones that do, I rarely tie it to the spool unless it's braid.

Some spools with holes have smooth, electropolished edges.

The kind that might cut your braid are stamped without further polishing.

However, I've still had luck with these and, in both cases, tie the line with a double-base-wrap uni knot.

Holes or not I always do the same 2 wraps around the spool and finish with an arbor knot.

21 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Twice my former neighbor cast a Curado out and dropped it over the side. I was able to get it back by snagging the line. All of the line spooled off as I was hauling it in. If the line weren’t tied to the spool it would be in Davy Jone’s locker.

Very similar to my own experience; my dog knocked a Calcutta overboard.

On 5/3/2026 at 11:10 PM, Bazoo said:

If using mono, and starting with a bare spool, is there any reason to tie the line to the spool? Provided the spool has holes of course.

I have heard of folks just sticking the line in a hole and start reeling, and I have done it myself on a rare occasion. I am more comfortable with tying an arbor knot, but I do change my line a lot and it would save me a lot of time not doing so. I always position the knot so that it's over one of the holes.

I know with braid, you need to have a mono backing to keep it from slipping.

What about flouro? Can I just run it into one of the holes the same as mono? Of should it be tied for some fluoro specific reason?

Have you ever had a big fish "spool" you, or get snagged while drifting downstream in fast current?

Sometimes I tye it to the spool or I just lay the line down and throw a piece of tape over it.

7 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I don't tie it anymore.

Same. I just stick the line in a hole. Been doing that for years.

I have done both and have never had a problem. I also have never been spoiled by a fresh water fish! Also never go less than 15 pound test, and keep my drag on the tight side!

I've never been spooled. Even when I caught a carp and a gar down at the river, not even close. I suppose if I was coming close to being spooled I could just apply tension with my thumb and it would break the line, or break the run, if I was able to have the wherewithal to notice.

The lightest line I run normally is 8lb, though I'm thinking of trying 6lb.

I run mono most of the time, and I respool a lot, so the time it takes to tie the knot will end up being 10 minutes in a month, which will be 2 hours a year, 20 hours over 10 years.

I never let my line get down low enough I'll spool it when casting. I normally change it before I lose 1/4 of it. I keep up with my line pretty good. I have a note on my computer where I track each reel, what line is on it, when it was put on, and whether or not it has a backer, is tied to the spool, or stuck through the hole. Which doesn't add much time at all since I use the computer a lot and just add it into it when I think of it, so not perfect.

I use an Arbor knot and piece of tape, regardless of the holes.

I got spooled by a 32 pound grass carp a few years ago while fishing an underspin. It ended up being the biggest fish I have ever caught, and I wouldn't have landed it without a good knot around the spool.

If the spool has holes I tie through there. If KNOT 😂 I use a small piece of electrical tape and tape it to the spool.

An arbor knot is so easy to tie I don’t personally see the benefit of skipping it. Ymmv