Birds nests / twists in line

[millsboy79]

The misses and I were out fishing for some pike today. We both had issue with our line getting tangled coming off the spool.

I am running a 14lb nanofil ... she is running the superslik so the quality of line shouldn't be an issue but I noticed that my mine had such a twist in it ... you would swear it was braid. We are using standard stainless leaders with a swivel so I would think that would solve an issue like that.

Guess my question is ... how can I fix it or at least stop it from getting worse?

Thanks

[catnthehat]

Spinning reels or bait casters ?
If they are spinning rigs maybe you have too much line spooled up?
Cat

[Tfng]

Just run it out behind the boat with nothing on it and troll around a bit. That will take the twists out. When you spool line on a reel it should be coiled the same direction as on the spool.

Edit- good point Cat, I have run warm water over the spool to help change the memory.

[greyduck]

Did you put the line on? Did you check the direction of the line twist when / if you did.

[greyduck]

Just run it out behind the boat with nothing on it and troll around a bit. That will take the twists out. When you spool line on a reel it should be coiled the same direction as on the spool.

Sorry didn't see your post.

[Tfng]

Sorry didn't see your post.

No problem!

[millsboy79]

Spinning reels or bait casters ?
If they are spinning rigs maybe you have too much line spooled up?
Cat
They are spinning rigs ... I will take a picture tomorrow and see if anyone thinks it is too much ... obviously I don't think it's too much since it was me who put it on ... LoL

[millsboy79]

Just run it out behind the boat with nothing on it and troll around a bit. That will take the twists out. When you spool line on a reel it should be coiled the same direction as on the spool.

Edit- good point Cat, I have run warm water over the spool to help change the memory.
Don't have a boat ... hence all the casting.


Not sure I follow what you mean about the twists when you are spooling the line on ... the nanofil has no twists to start with its not a braid ... and wouldn't the line come on the spool correctly?

Never really thought about that before I have in the past removed line and put it on backwards to use the "other end" to get more use out of the line ... but to compare it to a tire you are saying it's a radial and can only be used one way?

[Tfng]

Don't have a boat ... hence all the casting.


Not sure I follow what you mean about the twists when you are spooling the line on ... the nanofil has no twists to start with its not a braid ... and wouldn't the line come on the spool correctly?

Never really thought about that before I have in the past removed line and put it on backwards to use the "other end" to get more use out of the line ... but to compare it to a tire you are saying it's a radial and can only be used one way?

I'm not familiar with those lines you're using. When you spool a spinning reel spool some on and see if it's twisty, if it is flip the spool of line over and see if it improves. The coils should lay the same. Most manufacturers have it so the label is up but not guaranteed.

The reel should be quite full but not over full, a small amount of lip showing on the spool is good. The fuller the spool the farther it will cast.

[millsboy79]

I'm not familiar with those lines you're using. When you spool a spinning reel spool some on and see if it's twisty, if it is flip the spool of line over and see if it improves. The coils should lay the same. Most manufacturers have it so the label is up but not guaranteed.
I did miss understand ... thought you meant front and back ... not up and down ... that does make way more sense.

The lines are power pro super slik and berkley nanofil ... nanofil is awesome but only goes to 17lbs ... was going to switch the line to that but now I have something else to try first ... wish I knew what it should look like ... once again I will post a pic in the morning and see what everyone thinks.

Thanks again.

[Mackinaw]

Try using a bead chain swivel especially if you are casting spoons.

Mack

[millsboy79]

Try using a bead chain swivel especially if you are casting spoons.

Mack
Yet another thing I have apparently never heard of ... what are the advantages of this style swivel?

[millsboy79]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/33785f1ae5f7eb843ef6591f927801b2.jpg

So I figured I could snap a quick picture and see what people thought ... and after looking at the picture I can definitely see it is not laying clean on the spool so tomorrow I will try and take it off and spool it on the other way ... but was I correct in thinking it was not over filled. I actually took some off already with the first birds nest she got this season.

[catnthehat]

It looks okay, for the amount , but it almost looks like it was put on without any tension on the line .
Cat

[millsboy79]

It looks okay, for the amount , but it almost looks like it was put on without any tension on the line .
Cat
There WAS tension on the line when I did it originally but I tried to teach her how to use a popper today which would probably explain why it was reeled in without as much tension today.

Thanks for the input on the amount of line I didn't think that was the issue but if you can zoom in you can see on the line going to the bail how twisted it is. I don't know which way is "correct" to say if the twists were going the right way or not. Can't hurt to respool it and see what happens though.

[Tfng]

I've also let some line out in a river with decent current to pull the twists out, similar to trolling it in a boat.

If your line was not twisted immediately after spooling the reel, the direction of spooling was not the cause.

It can be so frustrating fishing with twisted line.

[DiabeticKripple]

One thing I notice newer people to fishing(or people that don't know) is that when you have a fish that pulling drag, don't keep spinning the crank. You'll just twist the line. Pull up and reel down. My gf was just spinning the crank the whole time and the drag was screaming and I asked her to just flip the bail open and a couple loops came off the reel and knotted up cause it was twisted so bad.

[millsboy79]

One thing I notice newer people to fishing(or people that don't know) is that when you have a fish that pulling drag, don't keep spinning the crank. You'll just twist the line. Pull up and reel down. My gf was just spinning the crank the whole time and the drag was screaming and I asked her to just flip the bail open and a couple loops came off the reel and knotted up cause it was twisted so bad.
I did tell her that ... but I told her because that's exactly what she was doing. Granted it was her first pike ever and her biggest fish ever so she was a little excited lol.

[Kim473]

To fix the problem, always use a swivel even if your leader has a swivel put an extra one on the line. Allways use the ball bearing type also. The cheap barrel swivels do a little but not the same as the good quality ball bearing type. I usually have two on my line unless I'm just jigging, then it's just one.

[catnthehat]

Oh, one more thing- your line poundage is right for your reels?
I know that some line is heavier or smaller diameter than others, and it has an effect on stuff like casting distance and the way it goes on a reel sometimes.
But yeah good swivels are a must for sure!:)
Just a thought.....
Cat

[Mackinaw]

Yet another thing I have apparently never heard of ... what are the advantages of this style swivel?

Beadchain swivels are designed to be used with plugs or spoons to keep line from twisting . There are a few different makers, never cheap out on terminal tackle.

Mack

[millsboy79]

Beadchain swivels are designed to be used with plugs or spoons to keep line from twisting . There are a few different makers, never cheap out on terminal tackle.

Mack
Funny thing is, I actually picked up a couple lucky bug lures today that are basically a chain swivel that goes through the lure ... but I still haven't seen the stand alone swivels.

I use mustad terminal tackle most of the time they have a snap I like more than most I have used.

I actually took the power pro off the misses rod and added some nanofil instead ... I think it will work out better in the long run anyways.

Fingers crossed it helps with the issue but perhaps some other swivels are on the list for my next trek to the fishing section lol.

[58thecat]

Too much on the spool and too loose also.

Reduce the amount on and don't allow it to become that loose or you will cast a bird nest then start freaking out doing a shore dance...we all have been there!:)

[millsboy79]

Oh, one more thing- your line poundage is right for your reels?
I know that some line is heavier or smaller diameter than others, and it has an effect on stuff like casting distance and the way it goes on a reel sometimes.
But yeah good swivels are a must for sure!:)
Just a thought.....
Cat
I know this is going to sound naive but but I would expect most modern reels to be able to handle any standard sized "superline" 6-20lb???

I always make sure to use backing if needed and will do it multiple times if I don't think it's quite right.

Either way I spent the better part of the evening switching lines around and changing reels but i will have to wait to see the difference it makes.

Only thing I am curious about will be if I lose much distance on my cast because I went to a shorter rod but it seems to be less flimsy at the tip.

[millsboy79]

Too much on the spool and too loose also.

Reduce the amount on and don't allow it to become that loose or you will cast a bird nest then start freaking out doing a shore dance...we all have been there!:)
I think it only looks like too much line because it's SO loose ... but saying "don't allow it to become that loose" to someone who hasn't fished since she was a kid probably isn't going to be helpful.

We talked about it and I explained why it looked like that ... today I changed the line so we will see if it makes a difference.

[RavYak]

I have been struggling with my light reel which has 10 lb powerpro. It seems to knot up a couple times each day which is very frustrating. I believe it is due to line twist as I usually use small spoons and spinners but no matter what I try for swivel it still happens.

[Kim473]

These are the swivels I like to use.

http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=21114

[Mackinaw]

Funny thing is, I actually picked up a couple lucky bug lures today that are basically a chain swivel that goes through the lure ... but I still haven't seen the stand alone swivels.

I use mustad terminal tackle most of the time they have a snap I like more than most I have used.

I actually took the power pro off the misses rod and added some nanofil instead ... I think it will work out better in the long run anyways.

Fingers crossed it helps with the issue but perhaps some other swivels are on the list for my next trek to the fishing section lol.

Mustad have beadchain swivels both styles an in line that can be used to join main line to leader and snaps swivel design.

Mack

[millsboy79]

These are the swivels I like to use.

http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=21114
This is the swivel that is attached to my knot kinky leaders ...

[Deep]

Totally agree with you Kim, the best quality ball bearing swivels prevent many line twist situations- and line loaded onto the spool properly having some tension on the line.

[Mackinaw]

I have been struggling with my light reel which has 10 lb powerpro. It seems to knot up a couple times each day which is very frustrating. I believe it is due to line twist as I usually use small spoons and spinners but no matter what I try for swivel it still happens.

If you are using small spoons and spinners match your swivel to it, if you use to big of a swivel there is not enough torque to turn the swivel but it will twist the line.there are some very good small beadchain swivels on the market. Use to have the same problem pitching small spoons for crappies.


Mack

[EZM]

One thing most people don't even realize - there is a proper direction of spooling your line onto a reel. If you spool it backwards it's far more likely to cause you problems.

I also always use a swivel snap at the end of my main line. There is usually a leader attached (barrel swivel on top and swivel snap at bottom) as well that I attach my lures to (to make quick and easy lure changes).

I haven't had an issue in years.

[Brian D.]

Spinning and spincast reels are line twist reels. Every turn of the handle on a retrieve will create line twist. Not much can be done to solve the line twist issue but a good swivel can help a bit. Be sure to keep your swivels clean so they can work. Weeds on the swivel or swivels that don't properly work will create a nightmare in a short time of casting or trolling.
Best to always have your line installed with a line winding machine that you would find at a tackle store. Spools are placed on the machine so the line is rolled on the reel spool as it is rolled off the line spool. Therefore no line twist.
But as soon as the next cast is made...line twist will start.
Good Luck & Good Fishin'

[RavYak]

If you are using small spoons and spinners match your swivel to it, if you use to big of a swivel there is not enough torque to turn the swivel but it will twist the line.there are some very good small beadchain swivels on the market. Use to have the same problem pitching small spoons for crappies.


Mack

I use the smallest berkley snap swivels. They are only 30 lbs and tiny but still don't get the job done. I will be good for a couple hours then especially if it is windy all of a sudden I will notice a little knot in the line and half the time you can't pull it free... I don't get why I am having this problem now though because I never really had it last year using the same setup.

I will keep trying a couple new things, at this rate should only take me another month or so before I need to respool and maybe that will fix it...

[TROLLER]

Too much on the spool and too loose also.

Reduce the amount on and don't allow it to become that loose or you will cast a bird nest then start freaking out doing a shore dance...we all have been there!:)

X2 For sure looks like too much line on the spool

[millsboy79]

X2 For sure looks like too much line on the spool
What is the two tone metal under the lip for if not a line to show you where to fill to???

[millsboy79]

Is there any point or more importantly, detriment to having more than one swivel in the line ... I seen those chain swivels which is basically 5 swivels in one so I assume the answer is no.

[millsboy79]

Tried the new lines and swivels and seems to work better.

[catnthehat]

Tried the new lines and swivels and seems to work better.

Perfect!
I wonder if it is more because of the swivel or the line ??
Cat

[millsboy79]

Perfect!
I wonder if it is more because of the swivel or the line ??
Cat
I always assume it's the line ... good or bad it's the line that is responsible lol