Hey guys, got me a new rod and reel.  Sahara 2500FD.   I never strung a reel before and looking for help on how to do it.

Thank You

Harpoon

I don't use the water or the bowl, I have a plano line box that does it very nicely.  Holds like 8 spools of line and had a guide for them to come out straight.  But here ya go:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4478523_string-spinning-reel.html

It's a little more complicated than that, but I don't use spinning reels, so somebody will come shortly and give their $.02.

Use an arbor knot to tie the line to the spool. You never want to fill it "full". Fill it about 1/8 inch from the top of the spool.

i only fish spinning gear, so heres how i go about it.......

im sure others have their own ways, but this hasnt ever failed me.....

1. for spooling braid....

i use a piece of electrical tape to secure the line to the spool, no slippage.

put your line with a pencil or such through it so that the line will come off the spool in an overhand manner.

line it through the one line guide that is closest to the reel (the largest one)

apply pressure with your thumb and index finger while lining the reel.

fill spool to nearly its max.

2. with mono,

same as braid, with just a couple of exceptions noted here.....

...no tape, just two overhand knots to attach it to the spool.

and fill the spool until there is at least 1/8 inch remaining, mono likes to "jump" off of the spool and unravel if it is too full.

.....the highlighted areas.....

for braid i dont tie a knot,

and for mono the knot is not a strong one..........

in my experience, if you ever get down to that point......

your already screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ive been fishing for many, many years.......

and have yet to reach that point.

The only thing that I would add to what's already been said is after spooling I open the bail, lay the rod down, grab the line coming out of the top guide and walk it out at least 50 - 60 yards. Then drop the line, walk back to the rod, close the bail and reel in the line using my thumb and forefinger to keep tension on the line. This works out any twists or coils in the line.

Also, get into the habit of closing the bail by hand after every single cast. Using the handle to close the bail will lead to line misery :-[

Also, get into the habit of closing the bail by hand after every single cast. Using the handle to close the bail will lead to line misery :-[

Hm didn't know that.  Will do from now on.  Don't use spinning set ups very often but thats definately some good info.

Read the instructions, they should include information on how to fill the spool. Some reels should have the supply spool on a flat surface such that the line comes off counterclockwise, while others recommend the spool be held in an up-and-down position like a baitcaster.