Wind knots or line twist?

[wheresmy50]

Here's what I've found that works for me:
- Don't fill the spool completely - leave 1/16 to 1/8".
- Close the bail manually and give a little tug on the line to reduce the chance of loops.
- Every once in a while, hold the line with your non-reeling hand and retighten your line. For whatever reason, this also seems to catch a few fish, especially with needles, since it causes a pulsation in the line.
- The less resistance with which you reel in your lure, the more often you'll need to retighten the spool. If you're using metal lips for instance, you may not need to do it at all.

I've never proven this, but I don't think swivels do anything with braid. The line is too limp to provide enough torque to turn the swivel.

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

- Close the bail manually and give a little tug on the line to reduce the chance of loops.

Originally Posted by Marc Z

Here is what you need to do; when the lure hits the water you must take the slack line in your hand and reel that onto your spool tightly before you start your retrieve. If you have a bail you also must first manually flip your bail over rather than engage it by reeling. This must be done on every single cast and retrieve. It sound like a lot but it will become second nature.

Originally Posted by Slammer223

Do you flip the bail over with your hand instead of just turning the reel handle?I've been told that this is a big help.

Guess I have to start doing this... thanks for the great advice.

[tattoobob]

I found that using poppers and pencils helps to make loops in your spool, I do think a swivel helps (I always use one). The only reel that I don't get wind knots in is my VS's.