How to Setup a Fishing Line
- 1). Attach the line to the reel. Loop the fishing line around the spool two or three times, then tie an arbor knot. An arbor knot can be formed with an overhand knot on the short end of the line. Wrap the arbor knot around the main line. Tie another overhand knot around the main line and pull it tight. Make sure this knot is secure, as it is the anchor to the rest of the fishing line.
- 2). Keep winding the knot into the spool (this may be easier to do with a partner). An easy way to do this is by having one person hold the fishing pole with the line knotted to the reel and the other person hold the line with a pencil through the center hole in the line. The person holding the fishing pole then reels in the line. Keep tension on the line as you wind it and try and get it to about three-fourths full.
- 3). Thread the line through the guide eyes on the rod, making sure to keep the line tight. After you have threaded the line through each of the guide eyes on the rod, leave the line dangling so you may add tackle to it.
- 4). Attach any type of tackle you wish. This can include hooks, spinners, plugs, or other lures. Tie a clinch knot to secure the tackle to the line by tying 6-7 knots. Pull the knot tight after all knots have been tied.
- 5). Attach a bobber or weight, if needed. Attach a floater if you are fishing for bluegill, and attach a weight, or sinker, if you are fishing for deeper-swimming fish such as pike or catfish.
Source...