We have all used a closed face reel at some point in our fishing adventure. It is also known as a push button reel. They are one of the most accessible reels to learn how to use, and they are effective at handling a fish. There are a lot of options out there for reels, and that makes getting started fishing complicated. A closed reel or a closed face fishing pole combo is an excellent place to start if you are new to fishing. Here’s why:
- They are easy to use
- They are not overly complicated
- They are generally affordable.
- They work great for a variety of fishing environments.
One of the biggest questions about closed face reels is how to put a new line on them. Keep reading because, in this article, we go through the four steps of adding fishing line to a closed face reel.
Below, we will go over the parts of a closed face reel and the steps needed to change fishing line. Note: If there is already a line on the reel, and you are not sure how long it has been there, change it. It is most likely a monofilament line, which can degrade once it is on the reel.
Parts of a Closed Face Reel
- The handle — connects the reel to the pole.
- The Thumb Button — Releases the drum when pushed and holds the drum when released.
- The Tension Dial — Also called the drag setting. It allows the reel to give line when battling a large fish.
- The Cover — A domed top covering the line drum or spool with a hole in the center where the line is extruded.
- The Reel Handle or Crank — works with the drum or spool to rewind the fishing line onto the spool.
- The Drum — an internal part that holds the line.
This article aims to teach you how to add line or replace the line on the drum.
The Four Steps To Putting a Fishing Line on a Closed Face Reel
Step 1: — Remove the cover. To do so, hold the line handle so that it does not turn. With your free hand, gently turn the cover counterclockwise. Be gentle, as most covers are thin metal or plastic. When the cover is free, you can see the drum or spool.
Step 2: Remove the old line if there is any. When the line is gone, visually inspect the spool for debris, such as sand. If the reel is new, it should be clean. If there is debris, gently remove it with a paper towel. Your goal as an angler is always to keep your equipment in top shape. That means cleaning as needed.
Step 3: Respool the line. To do so, you have two options. The best way is to thread the end of the line down through all the eyes on the pole. When you do it this way, it helps keep the line from twisting and spinning back on itself, and it can help prevent knots. The other way is to just let the spool of line wobble all over the place.
To respool the line, take the end and save about one foot as you will need to tie a knot. Wrap the line around the spool 2-3 times. Hold it in place with your finger, and then use the remaining tail to tie a know around the spool. The know will hold the line in place so that you can wind it onto the spool. An overhand knot or any fishing know will do. Learn more about tying fishing knots for saltwater in our article all about knots.
Step 4: Respool the Line. Once you tie the line to the spool, you slowly turn the reel handle clockwise and wind the line onto the spool or drum. The spool is full when the line is about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch from the top. TIP: It is handy to pre-mark the top of the spool with a sharpie pen. When the reel is full of line, cut the line so that you have enough to reach back from the tip to the reel. The extra line will be the line for tying your leaders to when you go fishing.
Step 5: Gently put the cover back on the reel. Hold the reel handle and gently turn the cover clockwise to thread it onto the reel. Be very careful not to cross-thread the cover. If it feels like it won’t go on, take it off and try again. It can be challenging to align the threads.
What Line Should I Use For a Closed Face Reel?
Most closed face reels use monofilament line and generally in test pounds of ten or less. You can use a fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon is the new Hot thing in clear water fishing. It is pretty much invisible once it hits the water. It is a little more challenging than the monofilament line and a bit thinner. Most closed faced reels can handle up to a 12-pound test fluorocarbon line, which is ideal for jigging.
A braided line would be the last option. It is made for fly-fishing reels and barrel reels. It is more difficult to cast with on a closed faced reel. However, some people prefer braided lines. Given the poundage of fish, you would target with a closed faced reel, the braided line is probably a little overkill.
Before heading to fish, be sure to check the Florida fishing regulations. Not every location is accessible and some species of fish are protected.
Fixing Problems with Closed Faced Reels
Sometimes, the line will loop around when you are fishing. If that happens, follow the steps above and unspool the line until you reach the looped section. Gently unloop or unknot the line. If the line has a crease or kink in it. It will need replacing as the kink will snap under stress. Here’s some further reading from the State of WI with photos. How to Fix a REEL Problem
Now that you know how to reline a closed face reel, you are ready to start fishing. The process is easy, and you will be fishing in no time.