You will always have customers asking questions and making requests about their spinning reels (and ones they want) if you make a living at a tackle shop. Most anglers want to learn how to spool their reel with line that offers heavier test. They also want to have better casting abilities and discover what line is best for which purpose. However, you don't have to be employed in a tackle shop to answer these questions and more.

Spring is the most popular season at most tackle shops in the northeastern U.S., as striped bass have begun to occupy local rivers. Know-it-all fishermen understand that they will need line that is geared for heavier prey now, probably in the 20-lb or heavier range. Novices tend to have more problems, hauling in small reels and expecting us to work a miracle with monofilament line that is much too heavy. If we comply, their cast will be affected by this unsuitable diameter decision.

All anglers need to know the line length and size suggested on the side of their spools. Once that number is exceeded, the cast becomes impaired. A spool is only geared to handle a specific amount and diameter of line. Besides, normal monofilament retains memory, meaning that, once the manufacturer winds a spool of line, it conforms to the spool and begins to coil. You'll see an increase in stiffness with heavier line, creating a new cycle of coils. Opening the bail causes the line to come off the spool, slowing it as it tries to exit the guides and causing a high level of friction. End result: a mess and, most likely, a short tangled cast.

Most anglers don’t have the luxury of having a reel for every type of fishing they do. The best case scenario is that they would have reels that are suitable for heavier fish, though many elect not to. If this is the case, the best option is to use a braided line. Although braided line is not as abrasion-resistant, it does still have some benefits. First it is much thinner (based on weight), it has virtually no memory and it’s got a slippery coating that makes it ideal for long casting. You can overcome the issue of abrasion by simply adding a three or four foot leader created from fluorocarbon or monofilament.

One of the biggest mistakes that create problems is reel that is not filled properly. Remember, the recommended line amounts are on your reel for a reason – this is the optimal amount of line for optimal fishing. Under-filling a reel or over-filling hampers casting. The rule of thumb for optimal casting is to fill your reel to about one eighth of an inch below the rim – this will help ensure the best possible casting results.

You don't have to have a degree in engineering to fix your spinning reel's problems once you learn the fundamentals of reel and line cooperation. Simply keep your spool filled adequately, learn recommended line size and length, and, if push comes to shove, use thin braided line to keep to the recommended amounts. After all, you will have a much better fishing trip if your reel is as it should be.

When you are deciding on which type of reel is right for you, doing the proper research is the best thing you could do. There are many manufacturers out on the market today, some of the most popular reels include Penn 975, Penn 209, and Daiwa SLD30.