How to Load the Line on a Shakespeare Reel

fishing reel image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com

Shakespeare produces a wide range of fishing reels from spinning and bait casting to fly fishing. Many if not most big box and sporting goods retailers will typically carry a few Shakespeare models. Shakespeare reels are known for their durable and easy-to-use design as well as their reliability. As part of a routine maintenance program, it may be necessary install new line on your Shakespeare reel as a result of normal use. This is a simple process that is easily accomplished by most anglers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Spinning Reels

Things You’ll Need:

Shakespeare spinning, bait cast and fly reel
Monofilament fishing line
Fly line backing
Fly line
Fly leader
Snips

Step 1

Open the bail wire on the front of the spool. Pull the wire back so that it locks in place.

Step 2

Wrap the mono filament fishing line around the spool of the reel. There should be 5 to 6 inches of line extending past the spool.

Step 3

Tie an Arbor knot to attach the line to the reel. Begin by forming an overhand knot in the tag end of the line so that the loop of the knot passes around the main line.

Step 4

Form another overhand knot below the first knot toward the tag end of the line. Moisten the knots and pull down tightly against the spool. Trim excess line from the knot with snips.

Step 5

Close the bail of the reel and apply tension to the line with your hand, 12 to 15 inches in front of the reel. Turn the handle of the reel with a smooth motion to begin spooling the line onto the face of the spinning reel. Fill the spool so that it is about three-quarters full or refer to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Bait Cast Reels

Step 1

Locate the line guide that is located at the front of the bait cast reel. The guide will be attached to a guide rail that runs across the face of the spool. Line passes through the guide and is spooled across the face of the reel.

Step 2

Pass the tag end of the line through the line guide. Pull the line through the guide and around the spool of the reel so that 5 to 6 inches of line extends past the spool.

Step 3

Connect the line to the reel with an Arbor knot. Refer to steps 3 and 4 in the section above for directions on tying the Arbor knot. Moisten the knot and pull down tightly against the spool.

Step 4

Apply tension to the line with your hand about a foot in front of the reel. Turn the handle of the reel with a smooth motion to begin spooling the line across the face of the reel.

Step 5

Continue to wind line onto the spool until it is about three-quarters full. Follow any directions or recommendations from the manufacturer regarding exact amounts of line.

Fly Reels

Step 1

Attach the fly line backing to the spool of the fly reel with an Arbor knot.

Step 2

Wind the fly line backing onto the spool making sure that it lies evenly across the face of the spool. Refer to the manufacturer's suggestions for the amount of fly line backing to use.

Step 3

Attach the main fly line to the backing with an Albright knot. To form the Albright knot, first double the end of the fly line so that a loop is formed about 2 inches from the end.

Step 4

Pass the tag end of the backing line through the loop in the main line. Wrap the backing line around the doubled main line and backing line. Begin down the line and work your way toward the loop. Pull the backing tag end through the loop the same way it came through and pull the knot down tightly. Trim excess from the knot with snips.

Step 5

Wind all of the fly line onto the reel. Do not cut the line as there may be a designed taper or weighted aspect to the line that could be damaged. If the fly line overruns the spool, remove the line so that the amount of backing can be reduced.

Tips & Warnings

A tip to determine how much backing you may need is to first wind the main fly line onto the spool. Do not tie it on as it will be removed. Next, wind the backing on top of the line to determine the amount needed to fill the spool properly. Remove the backing and the line and then install the backing with an Arbor knot and proceed with the installation.

Attach a leader to the line with a Surgeon's knot. Refer to the resource section for information on tying this knot.

Resources

Florida Sportsman: The Surgeon's Knot

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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