What are the advantages of filling the spool full? Does it mean better casting or what? I have mine filled to about 75%. I understand that if I fill it full, there will be less spool RPM's and more mass. What would it change if I put 50% on it??? What offers the best control or does it matter?

Scott.

baitcast or spinning?  The biggest difference will be less line retrieved per handle turn.

If you only fill that spool 50% you will NOT like the result.

Im sure the guys on here will post their recommendations. I fill mine within 1/8" of the outer edge of the spool or a bit more if it feels right.

Oops, I assumed you were talking baitcast.

fresh or salt?

A full spool allows for maximum distance when casting and top

retrieve speed.

8-)

What are the advantages of filling the spool full? Does it mean better casting or what? I have mine filled to about 75%. I understand that if I fill it full, there will be less spool RPM's and more mass. What would it change if I put 50% on it??? What offers the best control or does it matter?

Scott.

Fill it up!  You may have less RPM's, but you'll have more line coming off per revolution.  Also, since there is more mass, once you get it spinning the spool will continue to spin for a longer period of time.

By the way, he's talking about baitcasters.  The spool on my spinning reels don't have any RPM's.

LOL, RPM would only be affected by how fast you crank the handle, not how much line is on the spool.

Fill it up, see roadwarrior's post above for why.

A full spool allows for maximum distance when casting and top

retrieve speed.

8-)

x2. I don't like fishing with my reels when they are not at optimum capacity.

The only thing I would add applies to those who target larger species that can spool a 200 sized reel such as a steelhead or salmon.  Some can spool a 200 sized reel even when it is at full capacity, and I have lived to tell the tale.

If they can do that to a full spool, you're only setting yourself up to fail with a reel whose spool is low on line.  I recall the experience. I was really starting to get nervous when I started seeing the holes in the wiffle spool of my Curado 201 DHSV. Sad, but true...(metallica playing in the background).

So, I'm loosing distance by only having 75%?

So, I'm loosing distance by only having 75%?

Less line in your spool means your line will have more and tighter coils per unit of length and will cast worse ( because of the coiling ), you don 't want to fill the entire spool with good line ? spool half the spool with a filler line ---> fill the rest with good line, that way the tight and numerous coils will be left in the filler line and not in your fishing line.

fresh or salt?

No difference..........I use spinning and braid on all bodies of water. The difference in a short spool compared to filling to the recommended 1/8" from the lip is huge. For the past year or 2 I no longer do a total respool, I just add 50-75 yds as needed, does not affect casting distance and knot failure is non existent, on occasion I will turn the line over and use the "fresh side".

Retrieval speed is of no concern to me, speed will vary depending on the type of lure I'm using and I always vary the speed of the retrieval from cast to cast and also within the same cast(get a lot of hits on the pause or the drop from a jigging spoon).