First I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Allyn, Im 23 and I live in northern VA. Growing up my father would take me out on his jonboat to go catfishing. I was young and full of energy, and found it quite boring. I always hinted that I would like to fish for something else, like bass, but because he didn't know much about it, I never learned.

So a few months ago I went to sports authority and got an abu garcia combo, remembering that my dad used to fish with and abu rod. Well needless to say, you get what you pay for, I snapped the rod in half. The reel was still good though, and I bought a new rod and everything was fine, until I ran out of the factory spooled line that came with the reel. It came with triline 8lb green color. I went out and got some 8lb spiderwire assuming because it was the same size it would work. Got the directions from BR on how to tie the arbor knot, and I put slight pressure on for the first 10-15 turns then let it reel on slack the rest of the way. I wasted a whole 330 yards of spiderwire, lol. Every time I tried, the line went on EXTREMELY loose. So I figured maybe it was the line. I went out and got the line that came with the reel. Same thing. LOOSE. I knew it didn't look right. So I went to Dick's and told the guy at the fishing dept. my problem, and He just talked more than he listened. He was telling me I was putting on braided line or my line was to big. I know what type of line I had, I even showed him.

I was so frustrated I bought a whole new reel, and had them machine spool it on the reel.

any help on what im doing wrong, or any tips would be greatly appreciated.

-Allyn

Got the directions from BR on how to tie the arbor knot, and I put slight pressure on for the first 10-15 turns then let it reel on slack the rest of the way. I wasted a whole 330 yards of spiderwire, lol. Every time I tried, the line went on EXTREMELY loose.

Place the line coming from the filler spool through the pages of a heavy book for tension, and keep it there until you have filled the spool. Then when you get ready to setup the reel to cast your lure, read this it will help..

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

Good Luck & Tight Lines  

wow, that sound like a good idea. thanks.

I forgot to mention, its a spinning reel.  :-[

thanks again.

I forgot to mention, its a spinning reel.

No problem, spool the reel using the slight tension you get from the book, and don't worry about the article on the baitcaster. Set your reels drags to 1/3 the test weight of the line.

Good Luck & Tight lines!!!