How Do I Replace a Monofilament Fishing Line?

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Every angler will change his fishing line at some point. Whether it is because of a broken line, snags or the need for a different weight of line, monofilament line changes are a necessary part of fishing.

Before you begin, you need to remove all the old line from the reel by cutting into the spool and removing the line much like peeling an orange. After that, get ready to change the line and go back after those fish.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing rod and reel
Replacement monofilament line
Scissors or clippers

Step 1

Locate the spool thread hole, a small open hole that goes through the spool. Insert your new monofilament line into the hole and pull through to the other side. If your reel's spool does not have a hole, wrap the fishing line around the spool twice and then tie an Arbor knot. Use an Arbor knot for the line that went through the spool hole if your reel is so equipped.

Step 2

Slowly begin to turn the reel handle clockwise, bringing the new line onto the spool. Make sure to keep the line moving across the length of the spool as it is brought in. Use your fingers to guide the line evenly over the length of the spool. This prevents the line from clumping together or forming an elliptical bump on the spool.

Step 3

Stop reeling in the line when you get the desired amount on the spool. Use the clippers to snip the line from the feeder spool. Open the bailer mechanism on your reel and thread the line through.

Pull out 2 to 3 feet of line from the reel and begin to thread the line through the fishing guides on the fishing pole. The fishing guides are the small metal loops that keep the line straight on the pole. Thread the line until it reaches the tip of the rod and pull out another 2 feet past the end of the pole.

Step 4

Tie your lure or hook to the end of the line using a Palomar knot.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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