How to Spool a Zebco

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Zebco reels may possibly have introduced more new anglers to fishing than any other reel on the market. From children to adults, scores of new anglers have been handed a Zebco mounted to a spin cast rod and pointed toward a stream, river, pond or lake. Zebco reels are sturdy, reliable and easy to use making them an ideal choice for learning. Spooling line on a reel is part of learning to fish, and the design of the Zebco helps to make this a simple and easy-to-accomplish process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Monofilament fishing line

Step 1

Press the spool release button on the rear of the Zebco reel. This will typically be a large black button located on the upper rear of the reel. By pressing the spool release button, the line pickup pin is disengaged allowing the line to spool from the reel.

Step 2

Remove the spool cover from the front of the reel. Turn the cover to the left to disengage and remove from the Zebco reel.

Step 3

Pull any old line from the spool of the reel and properly dispose in a line recycling container. Use a pair of snips to help remove any knots connecting the line to the spool.

Step 4

Pass the tag, or free, end of the line through the hole in the reel spool cover. Connect the new line to the spool of the reel with an arbor knot. Tie the arbor knot by pulling 5 to 6 inches of line around the spool of the reel. Form an overhand knot with the tag end of the line so that it passes around the main line.

Step 5

Tie another overhand knot below the first one using only the tag end of the line this time. Moisten the knot, pull it down tightly and trim excess from the tag end of the line with snips.

Step 6

Place the front spool cover back on the reel by turning it to the right. Apply a small amount of tension to the line about a foot in front of the reel with your hand. Turn the handle of the reel slowly to engage the line pickup pin and begin spooling line onto the reel.

Tips & Warnings

Refer to the manufacturer's directions for the amount of line to spool onto the reel. If this information is not available, a rule of thumb is to spool about 80 to 90 yards of 20-pound test line.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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