Fishing Forum

I bought a beautiful little Supreme for my ultra light trout fishing but I've been having serious line twist (or somthing else?) issues. I've tried several lines in 2 to 4 pound test. I usually use Trilene XL (and used 2 seperate spools, not a bad batch) but have also tried the Trilene that changes colour and Berkley Vanish florocarbon.

What happens after a short time the line doesn't shoot off like a typical twist issue, but it comes off in a long loop, almost like it catches on the line as I'm casting and pulls off many yards, always resulting in a pretty nasty birds nest since I don't notice it and start retrieving. Looking at the reel, the roller on the line arm doesn't seem to line up with the top of the inside of the spool, and looking at the filled spool it's obvious to see the line is almost barrel shaped as it fills up the reel spool.

I filled the extra spool with 6 pound test tonight to try and even it out more, I'll try that tommorow but I prefer my usual 2-4 pond test. I contacted Pflueger 2 weeks ago and was told these reels have no special procedure to fill the spools, so I do it the same way I always do. (line through a phonebook on the floor) Today I used the florocarbon for the first time and it did perform better but then it shot off the end like a reel with regular line twist. However I was using a lure with a built in swivel to prevent this.

When I discussed this issue at length with the rep over the phone he couldn't figure out what the problem was, but he was concerned the roller wasn't rolling, it is. I also talked to the shop that sold it to me and he figured I was throwing too light of a lure. I used heavier lures today but it didn't stop this. I own many reels and have never had this issue with any of them. So now I'm at a loss. This is a beautiful reel with all the features I want and it cost me a pretty penny too, but I don't know what to do with it. I'm hoping someone else had this problem with their reel and figured out a solution, if so please let me know what I'm doing wrong or how to remedy it. Thanks!


Today's trip with the new 2 pound florocarbon. I did pre-soak it with warm water just ike I would with mono.

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There are but two culprits that create line twist on a spinning reel. The first, spooling the reel improperly. The second, trolling with a spoon or something of that nature, with out a swivel incorporated in the leader some where.

The guy that told you there is no certain way to spool up a spinning reel is an idiot. There is most certainly a right and wrong way to do it, and if you do it the wrong way, your line will twist onto the spool, causing the problem you're having.

The single most biggest mistake people make when spooling a spinning reel is they stick a pencil through the spool and have a buddy hold the open end of the spool towards the reel, while the other cranks on the line. The other way that it is done wrong is to lay the spool on the ground, paper side DOWN and then crank the line on. Either one of those ways will cause the line to twist on the spool, and no matter what you do at that point, the twist will never come out. You might as well strip off the line and start over.

The proper way to spool a spinning reel is simple. You tie on the line to the reel, and lay the spool PAPER SIDE UP. When I say paper side up, i'm refering to the label on the spool; one side will have it, one side will not. Now, with the spool on the ground, simply crank the line on the reel nice and tight. What that is going to do is, the line will go on the reel identically as it is wound on the spool. that's the trick. The concept is no different with a bait caster, you stick a pencil through the spool, and insure the line is coming off the top of the spool and filling the reel in one smooth motion. If it is done improperly, you'll have line twist and the reel will basicaly be rendered usless.

FYI, a stuck line guide roller will not cause line twist. Many spinning reels don't have a rolling line guide, many are stationary; like on my Fin Nor Offshore for instance.

Make sure you don't use a higher test Mono on the reel than it is rated for, but it looks like you've got that squared away anyhow. The higher test mono you use, the more memory it will have. You won't get the "backlashing" so to speak, but what will happen is it will just inavertantly start spiraling off the spool of your reel, reforming back to the natural shape it had before you lined your reel with it.

You'll also find that, anything with actual Fluorocarbon incorporated in it, will have a bit worse memory as well. Fluoro makes a wonderful leader and I swear by it; But it makes a horrible fishing line. Don't buy the hype, just because a box of fishing line says it's Fluorocarbon, doesn't mean it compares to the real deal Fluoro leader. They are not the same. []
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to start on the line, Stay away from abrasion resistant lines. It will say it right on the packet, that is for trolling not for casting.

In todays ecconomy you can most deffenately pick up poor quality line, meaning old line that has sat out on the shelf too long. "light deteriorates line" I always suggest storing rod and reels and line in cool dark places for longer life.

an improperly lined spool can most deffenantly be corrected in a number of ways.


[ol][li]if in a boat while moving strip the line out over the back of the boat and let out at least 3quarters if not all. no weights lures or sinkers. This will allow the line to brought in allowing it to un twist it self.[/li][li]if fishing in a river strip the line out in to the current for as long as you can, With this method, use a spring round spring bobber with button and hook on the bottom. bigger the better. [/li]
[ul][li]tie a swivel snap or barol swivel to your line, then place the hook end of the bobber in to the oposite side of the swivel.[/li][/ul][li]if you are fishing on shore of a lake where either of these methods are not available to you, [/li]
[ul][li]use a small tree. cut off a peice of line and tie it around the tree, [/li][li]if you have a barrol swivel, thread that on before tieing it to the tree, a swivel snap can be slipped on afterwords.[/li][li]tie the end of your line to the swivel[/li][li]set your drag to its lightest setting and start walking, make sure you go out farther than you can posibly cast.[/li][li]tighten up your drag and maintain a little bend to your rod as you reel and walk in slowly. I wont hurt if the drag is set light enough that if feels like your fighting a fish.[/li][/ul][/ol]
this being said, and if I was experiencing your symptoms this is what I would do.


[ol][li]check the package, if you dont have it any more look it up on the net, and if it says abraision resistant strip it off and get some new line, to sugest a couple sensation, n40 silver thread[/li][li]if you find that you do not have hight abraision line then go to the tip above on how to remove line twist[/li][li]old line or dusty line from dirt road travels can cause line hang up on it self while casting, so can soda and beer spills. to fix this problem pick up some line lube. aply a few drops right to the line on the spool. "this will not fix line twist"[/li][/ol]***** note, there is no reason for pre-soaking line before putting it on your reel. so forget you ever heard of it.

I checked the line for you, it should be fine, That is if I got the full identity of the line you are using.

as mentioned above, make sure in the future you are using a swivel of some type. and if you dont want it on your lure, tie it on your line and run a foot or two of leader line off of it to your lure.

that will help to prevent most line twist.

remember, Heat and Light is a line killer..... new line can be ruined in a day on the inside of a car or truck on the dashboard.

Always willing to help a fellow fisherman,especialy in desperate times of need.I figured out this problem a few years ago . I began fishing light tackle with 500 series reels,tiny,fit in the palm of your hand,also easy to conceal.First problem most important is the your line not being even on spool.if your lucky all you have to do is remove the spool and also remove any spacers on the shaft of the spoolI,I also have added spacers to adjust for that.I can tell by the pic you need to remove it.Worst case,you might need to remove everything from shaft including the tiny sprocket that makes the drag sound,then grind down the two spots were the sprocket would sit so it slides down more,I used a small "file" to grind it down just a hair,if you grind to much use a spacer to compensate...The spool should slid down further now therefor solving your problem.After you do this,find some spacers from other reels if needed,then see how it spools up,let alot of line out and see how that works out.Second.. Tips for spooling from Paulpro,do like Tarpon said about the spool on the ground.Important,watch the line,leave like 3 or 4 feet,look at the line ,when you see it begin to twist more as you spool up,you must flip the spool on to its other side,then you shoul notice the line straighten up, and then want to twist again during spooling,just repeat this meathod until done,try not to overfill your spool,I know this could be one of the most difficult steps.I too struggle with this as I like to have alot of line.Third.I've use 4lb fire line with no backing,I almost fit the entire spool of 125 yards on it,works great,also used 6lb suffix performance braid,also awesome,5lb powerpro,alright too..I caught about a 3 pound Porgy off shoar in about 150 feet of water,the guys we were looked at my ultalight like damn..,I had a long 20lb leader of powerpro,I grabbed him by the leader and welcomed him aboard.I'm done with mono,only use it for backing[sly].I haven't even bothered giving floro a chance,not even for leaders,I want nothing that streches anymore.I say switch to braided line plus I am known to influence peoples lifes....respect your fellow fishermen...Paulpro.. P.S.,spool up braided line in this same meathod.My Tica also came with spare spool,I spooled it some time ago,but never needed it ,I ended up just using that line.,I never had a serious problem with my line after adjustments,I guess the factory does'nt spool up the reels so they don't know if there off by a bit?Nobody is perfect ..One more tip,as you spool up you could push the line in the spots that are uneven,I use my nail,this should help get you through the day.Later at home you can respool it,just add more line to the sides leaving an indent in the center were it would normaly barrel up,this should even out your line,just estimate to compensate for how much the line bubbles out in the center,spool it by hand after removing the spool,this is one of my pro tips,I've done this way back before.I hate mono,I had to go up to 17lb just in my lake,just imagine the glades,Im glad I switched to braid way before ever fishing the glades.Before I met Alfred he told me he used 20lb mono,my nephew fished with him first before I did and Andres used 30lb braid.Alfred had already switched to braid by the time I met him,he uses 15 as his heaviest line and likes powerpro.Thats my Tica in the first pic using 4lb,second was 6lb line,sorry I forgot to include my same ultralight rod in the last pic.. That was a 4to 6 ,later broke cause I was landing a fish holding the rod by the top half,now I have a 4to 10lb ,weight is still light only 6 ounces for that combo,fish with it all day..Thanks for that awesome quote at the end...
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Thanks everyone for the tips. I have spooled up with the line coming off the the spool the same way it goes on the reel. I will look at removing the spacers on the shaft, that is an interesting thought. As I said, I own plenty of reels, including ultra light models but have never had this issue. I have never owned a Pflueger before and am a bit disapointed in it. I did solve my problem for the time being anyways, I bought a Quantum this weekend and put the Pflueger on the shelf. [cool]


I will monkey around with it again this weeekend and will try everything listed here that I haven't done yet. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my apocolyptic crises! [laugh]
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Don't give up on that beauty,but if you do,I promise she'll enjoy living out the rest of her years with me[blush]....keep those lines tight...Paulpro
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