It's time to put on new line for the year, so I google-up how to do this as I always seem to end up with kinked line.

"Note which way your bail rotates, note which way the line comes off the source... you want the line to go on the same way it comes off." A bit confusing. But the simple solution is to unspool from the source spool with the label up... which I have done for years.

Seems the real problem is that after 20 cranks, the line begins to kink because the unwinding spool and my reel spool have DIFFERENT DIAMETERS!!

The only solution I see (and it seemed to work) is to watch the line closely and just when you see the loops (curls) in the line start to get smaller, flip the spool and continue. Watch and flip as needed.

Does this make sense? Any other solutions?

This may not be the solution you’re looking for, but I have found that all mono line just has too much memory to sit well on a spinning reel. On all of my spinning reels, I have switched to braid, and then I tie on either a 6 foot flouro leader if I am jigging, trolling, or casting, or 25 to 50 feet of mono if I am using slip bobbers or rigging live bait in another way. That chunk of braid will literally last me five seasons, and I just tie on new sections of mono or fluoro as needed. Double uni knot to attach the leaders to braid.

For spinning reels, I believe you want the line coming off the spool in a counter-clockwise fashion. It has worked for me....and most of the lines i have used means the label is down not up.

That's exactly what I do - I watch the line and then flip the spool - usually multiple times throughout the spooling process. Because of memory - I also put the line on a minimum of 48 hours prior to use...never right before the trip.

Couldn’t agree more Gopher… only other thing is braid tends to slip on the reel, so tie that arbor knot then tape it down with a small piece of electrical tape, spool it up and ready to go. Just add that Floro or Mono leader and I don’t think you’ll ever do it any other way. Great feel, no hassle and lasts forever. Now tying that double -Uni knot in a canoe on a windy day without the “readers”, that’s a different story. Get lots of practice first lol. Just my two cents…

One trick is to spool up with new line to full, then remove the spool and let that soak in warm water for a goodly amount of time. Some folks like to soak the bulk spool first, then fill. Either way helps reset the line memory.

You want the direction the line comes off the spool to match the direction your bail spins. I also pinch the line about 6-12 inches ahead of the reel to provide tension.

Maybe dumb luck it works for me.

Hammertime: "You want the direction the line comes off the spool to match the direction your bail spins....."

I believe that is the theory. And I assume that is when the reel on your rod is facing the spool the line is coming off.

I have a second rod to re-spool tonight!

Stick a pencil through the spool and stick that into a cardboard box. Have it spin strait at you as you reel in while squeezing the line with a towel around the rod a couple feet up from the reel. Take the reel spool off and place in warm water for a few minutes to reset the line memory.

Sparkeh: "Stick a pencil through the spool and stick that into a cardboard box. Have it spin strait at you as you reel in while squeezing the line with a towel around the rod a couple feet up from the reel. Take the reel spool off and place in warm water for a few minutes to reset the line memory. "

This works for me.