if you turn the reel around, the line will come off the top of the reel and not have that gap in it. However, you will reel it up backwards. the good thing is you are only reeling up as much line as your pole is long, one time, at the end of the day.
Or,
you can turn the clutch bearing around, keep it on the same side and still reel forward and the line comes off the top of the reel. best of all worlds imo...
love the reel. I bought 3, my buddy made me give him one. ordering more now