Bird's nest after Bird's nest

[rachelrig]

I'm still pretty new to crappie fishing, or fishing in general. I've been fishing cats since last summer, and I have never had this problem on my medium action rods. They were rods I inherited from my father-in-law (Durango?). I bought a Shakespeare Crusader with Mr. Crappie 6 lb test at the behest of the employee at Academy. So far I really hate it. I don't know if it's because I'm terrible at using a light action rod, or if the set-up itself is terrible. It seems that every cast is a bird's nest waiting to come off the reel. I have to grab the line with my forefinger as I cast to prevent it. Also, the line spools out and stays in a spiral, which I find annoying, since I can't keep the line tight. I've never had these problems on my other rods. Is it me or the gear? Are there ways to fix/prevent this, or should I just invest in a new set-up? Please help! If it makes a difference, my terminal tackle mostly consists of a rocket bobber, a split shot, a thin wire green panfish hook, and a minnow. Thanks in advance.

[DrNip]

You spooled the line wrong.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...m=122&ie=UTF-8

[Cray]

Is that reel a spinning reel?
#1 I suspect you are fighting line twist if it is. Spoiling line on backwards. Take the rod and open bail, take end of line and walk it out until it is all off the spool. Take rod in hand,pinch line between thumb and finger, reel line back on under slight tension. This will cause line to spin taking out some of the kinks. Do this 3-4 times. Then pull out about 50 ft of line,tie end to something stable. Putting some tension on line by pulling straight back. I will pull and release several times. This will stretch out some of the kinks in the line. That new Mr Crappie line is bad about taking a set. If that dosnt help your problem I suggest getting a different line. You want the line to go on the reel the same way it comes off the spool. When reeling line on if it starts to wrap arount tip turn spool over.

[rachelrig]

I didn't spool it. The employee did. I guess I just figured they should know how to do it correctly since they work there. Yes, it's a spinning reel. I actually went into the store to get an ugly stik, but they didn't have the one I wanted, so I got talked into this one. I'll see if I can fix it this afternoon, thanks for the help.

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[deathb4disco]

i'm still pretty new to crappie fishing, or fishing in general. I've been fishing cats since last summer, and i have never had this problem on my medium action rods. They were rods i inherited from my father-in-law (durango?). I bought a shakespeare crusader with mr. Crappie 6 lb test at the behest of the employee at academy. So far i really hate it. I don't know if it's because i'm terrible at using a light action rod, or if the set-up itself is terrible.

Bingo!

Cheap tackle = lotsa headaches

Save your money and get a decent Daiwa or Shimano.

[DrNip]

I would just scrap line and re-spool correctly. I fish with cheap $19.99 Crappie Maxx reals and have no problems.

[Seabrat]

First - make sure the spool isn't overfilled. Stores will often overfill the spool so the customer feels they got what they paid for. There should be about 1/16th to 1/8th inch of spool/rim showing above the line. If not, then remove enough line to provide an adequate gap. The line you are using may also be on the stiff side, with a lot of "memory" which makes the line want to "jump" off the spool. Limber monofilaments like Trilene XL usually work better on spinning reels.

[usafret99]

First - make sure the spool isn't overfilled. Stores will often overfill the spool so the customer feels they got what they paid for. There should be about 1/16th to 1/8th inch of spool/rim showing above the line. If not, then remove enough line to provide an adequate gap. The line you are using may also be on the stiff side, with a lot of "memory" which makes the line want to "jump" off the spool. Limber monofilaments like Trilene XL usually work better on spinning reels.

[rachelrig]

Thank you so much each and everyone of you for your help. The spool was indeed very full. I re-spooled the reel myself with 4 lb Fluorocarbon and the difference is very much night and day. I tossed a few times around the yard after spooling and it's smooth as butter. It's amazing how much distance I can get now with just a little flick! I think I will actually come to love this little rod now. Thanks again for being a kind and helpful community.

[NIMROD]

Glad they found you some answers . I usually would say on spinning open face reels over filling spool is #1 problem with twist in line second. Smaller reels work better with lighter high quality low memory line also. Trouble is everytime drag slips your are putting twist in the line. Good luck Crappie fishing.