How to Spool a Fishing Reel and Set Up a Fishing Rod

This instructable goes over how to set up a fishing rod from start to finish. This includes adding line to the reel, running the line through the rod, and tying on your lure.

Supplies and Equipment Needed:

• Spinning style fishing rod
• Spinning style fishing reel
• Fishing line
• Scissors
• Hook or fishing lure

To put the reel on the rod, unscrew the rod clamp and place the bottom fork of the reel into the rod seat such as in picture one. Then tighten the rod clamp over the top fork so that the reel sits tightly in the seat.

Starting at the top of the fishing rod, run the fishing line through the top eyelet and through the rest of the eyelets such as in the picture. The line should not wrap around the rod and should go straight through the guides until the very last guide.

In order to tie the fishing line onto the reel, first open the bail and then wrap the line around the spool. At the very end of the line, tie a simple overhand knot. Cut off any excess line after the knot. Now tie another overhand knot around the fishing line that is parallel to the line that is wrapped around the spool, referencing the picture. The first knot should be in the excess line of the second knot. Now pull the mainline so that the knot tightens around the spool. Cut the excess line. Close the bail and your reel should look like the last picture.

Place the fishing line flat on a table. Hold the rod so that the rod tip is directly over the fishing line. Start to turn the reel handle and be sure to keep pressure on the line. Continue reeling until the reel is full of fishing line. It should look close to the last picture.

At the end of the rod, leave two or more feet of fishing line and use the scissors to cut the line.

Use the line at the end of your rod to tie an improved clinch knot on your lure. Follow the steps in the picture above. Cut off the excess line and you're ready to fish.