BigBendFishing.Net

Over the past few months, I've been trying to ease myself back into using a baitcaster.
As a result I recently purchased a couple of Shimano Catala 200's. I set down last evening to put some line on them. Now I haven't been able to bring myself (yet) to spring for some better quality line so I was using what I could dig up from what I already had (mostly cheap mono stuff).

The first thing I noticed was ...its a whole lot easier to fill a spinning reel than a baitcaster.

The second thing I noticed was that even with a level wind, I seemed to get a buildup of line disproportionately on one side of the spool than the other. (seemed to be on the right side) In addition, the line wanted to loop and kink up several windings into the spool (below the top layer). This may be the result of the quality of line I was using. I ended up removing the first installment and replacing with what seemed to be a better quality given what I had to work with and threw away the remaining 3/4 spool of 10lb test.

I would like to hear from some of you who fill your own baitcasters. Give me some tips/suggestions/line type/etc. Would it be better NOT to run the line through the level wind eye and control the distribution of the line on the spool manually.....then place the end through the eye and rig the rod or would that do any good. How much and how important is the amount of tension on the line while filling? Absent any consideration as to my level of dexterity, lack of experience, etc., are the problems I experienced due completely to the line I'm using? ETC. Thanks.

Sounds like you have two problems with what you are doing. One is with the line you are using, the other is with the reel. I don't use a whole lot of mono anymore, but I do have to baitcasters I use it on. I like 10 or 12 lb Ande or Berkley Big Game Supreme. The Berkley is more expensive, but the Ande has to be replaced more often. I use one of the cheap little Berkley plastic line winders, but you can do it just as well many other ways. Just make sure the line spool is spinning and line is coming off the top of the spool when filling baitcasters. It sounds like you may have a level wind problem with you reel. That is typically why the line is bunched to one end of the spoolon level wind reels. If you want I could take a look at it sometime. I'll even fill it with mono for you. Have tons of 1/4 lb. spools of mono, and I have no need for that much anymore. I mostly use braid now, so spools of mono are just sitting here getting old.

Nathan

If line is building up there is either a bur in the line pawl shaft or your line pawl is bad....I tie the line to the reel spool, use my thumb to apply light pressure and fill it up....I stick the line on a screw driver and add some pressure to the spool with a spring clamp and whatever I clamp it to.....

Don't skimp on quality line, thats the weakest link between you and your 8lb trout....After he breaks off you'll be heading out to spend some $...

I use Ande Premium on my baitcaters, but for the purpose of filling the thing with line I don't think that makes much difference.

I stick the spool on anything it can spin freely on to keep it from bouncing around the floor. However, if you have cats this can be very humorous. With the reel on the rod I string the rod working from the line spool, from the rod tip to the reel. With the level wind on the left side of the reel I run the line through and tie it to the spool with a four wrap uni. Now, I make sure the level wind and knot are on the left side of the reel before I start winding, although that part probably makes no real difference at all. To wind on the line I stick the butt of the rod in my belly, hold the foregrip and apply tension to the line and guide it on with the thumb and index finger of my left hand. Fill'er up.

I have found that line guides are not exactly high tech, high tolerance devices. Any pressure at all to either side will cause the line to pile up on the spool off center, unless I use the thumb & finger line guide for initial filling.

Bud, My calculations determine that there will be at least 5 baitcasters, 8 open faced spinners and 4 closed faced spinning rigs in the boat in the morning with the 3 man team.

If we throw in a cast net, spear gun, and some type of electrical current producing device we will certainly bring some fish home! This is looking better and better