Line twist

[PIGSMALLIE]

I know you have probably talked about this a million times.But i was wondering what spinning reels everyone likes to use and which have the least line twist? I know your always going to have some line twist. I like symetre reels,but i want to hear everyone elses thoughts. I'm talking for soft plastics not dropshotting.

[Revtro]

They all get twist.  But mostly it's in how you spool your spinning reel that makes the most difference.  Plus there are a few things you can do when you cast that helps, such as taking up the slack with the rod before starting to reel.  I found that by spooling from a spool of line that's laying on the ground and coming off the spool the same direction as the bail eliminates all the initial twist.  I used to really like the Quantum reels because I really like the magnetic bail mechanism and flex titanium bail.  But recently I bought a Cabela's branded Diawa reel which was way less expensive, but man is it ever a smooth reel.  I think I'm gonna buy more.

[motocross269]

Rev...what was the name of that reel???

[Revtro]

It's just a Cabela's Reel.  That's the only name on it I think.  If I remember correctly, it was around $35.  But when you look closely, it says Diawa on the spool and on the bottom of the box in small print.

[dashaver63]

Is that the white Tournament ZX? I bought that one at the beginning of the season. I have been using Pflueger Presidents but I think I will probably start going with the Cabela's reels. They are very smooth and line twist was not as bad. Bigger spools make a difference also.

[Revtro]

No, it is a green reel with a silver spool, not the white one.  It looks like this one, but with a different handle.  Maybe it's just one that's sold in the store or maybe it's this exact one with a different handle. 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&id=0036596120508a&navCount=2&podId=0036596&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=7IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20333&hasJS=true

[gothooked]

You  can also flip the bail over with your hand instead of ingageing it with the handle.

[Durand Dan]

I manually flip the bail and give a slight tug on the line after each cast. I very rarely have a problem with line twist. If I do I will take any lure I have on off the line and feed the line out into the water while trolling until the reel is almost empty, then reel it back up. This creates a twist free line.

[Waterfoul]

Best way to eliminate nearly all line twist on a spinning reel?  Braided line.  My senko rod, drop shot rod, and shakey head worm rod are all lined with powerpro of various poundages.  All are rigged with a 6' florocarbon leader.  I have virtually NO issues with line twist.

I also make sure to flip the bail by hand, I think this helps a lot also.

You know, now that I think about it the only rods I have and use that are not strung up with braided line are my salmon/steelhead rods.

[Bender]

From fishing with waterfoul I can say that his system works. While I was messing around with knots in my floro he was able to keep fishing. I love PP and have it on most of my casting reels, but I think I may put some small 12 or 20 lb. on the spinning reels too.
On every cast I flip the bail by hand and pull the line tight to the spool but still get nasty loops once in a while. It is now a habit I don't even think about, but I think it helps.

[dashaver63]

Waterfoul, what kind of a knot do you use to join the braided line with the florocarbon? I have been using barrel swivels, which also eliminates line twist as well, but I forget at times and reel it into the top eye of my rod.

[Waterfoul]

I had the same issue with the swivel when I was trying to run straight florocarbon line on some of my rods.  So now I use a uni to uni knot to attach the floro to the braid.  I have never had a fish break this knot.  The only time I've had this knot fail is trying to get a bait off a log or dock piling or something... you know... straighten out the rod and simply pull till something gives.  BUT, make sure you wet the lines when you cinch them down.

Just FYI:  I'm running 20 lb Powerpro and either 12 or 15 lb P-line floro leaders depending on the setup.  The Powerpro is really thin, about the same diameter as the 12 lb leader.

[Bender]

I forgot to add that I use KVD's Line and Lure conditioner. I really does seem to help reduce tangles and improve casting distance.

[dashaver63]

Thanks for the information Waterfoul. I'll go with heavier leader lines. I don't know how some guy's do that with 6 and 8lb. test. I've tried to tone down my hooksets, but I was still breaking off the leader. Thats why I went back to the swivel method.

[Waterfoul]

My drop shot rod is a med-lite so a hard hookset is not an issue!  LOL!!!  But on my other rods I know what you mean.  I run at least 10 lb leader... but usually I stick with the 12 lb.  Sometimes if I'm in a lake with a LOT of pike I'll step up to 15 lb so I don't lose so many baits... but you still lose a few for sure.

I also keep a bottle of KVD's "magic" spray in my boat... but I rarely have to use it on my braid.

[Dan]

I've been going to KVD seminars for a long time and he use to talk about spraying silicone on his guides and he would always shoot a few squirts on his reel. Now he sells line conditioner. I wonder if it's any different from the silicone he used in the old days. When I was down in Florida they talked about also spraying on the conditioner/silicone on the lure. It was suppose to help it go through the matt and especially help so the slimy seaweedy stuff didn't stick to the line or lure as easily.