Anyone who is interested in fishing or wants to start fishing as a hobby will need to know how to string a fishing rod. The process for it is relatively simple and can be done by amateurs and pros alike without any variation. It doesn’t matter if you are using a $200 or $1000 fishing rod to string it; you only need some patience and a steady hand.
Without properly stringing your fishing rod, you will face many problems when you go out on the waters. One example we can give is when a fisherman strung his fishing rod improperly; it snapped on him as he was reeling in a bass. Because of this, he lost an easy competition he was supposed to win.
You will need to pay attention to the type of fishing you will be doing. Because that will determine what type of fishing line and fishing reel you will need, we will be discussing this fact more later on but for now, you will first learn about what things you will need for fishing rod stringing.
What will you need to string a fishing rod?
As I said before, to string a fishing rod, you won’t need anything too unique, just the fishing essentials which should be available through online markets or sporting goods stores. We will mention all of the main components you will need, but you might also need something unique.
Here are all the things you will need to string a fishing rod:
- One fishing rod
- One fishing reel
- Some fishing line
- A hook or lure
- Scissors or line snipper/cutter
You will need these things for stringing so gather them all since each plays a part. As for the extra things they are all up to your own discretion. Once you have gathered everything you are ready to string your fishing rod.
How to string a fishing rod?
Step 1: Fishing rod assembly
Before you string your rod you need a rod to string it to. For this, you must assemble your fishing rod as they come in multiple pieces. Firstly, you must unpack all the parts and lay them on the table.
Next using a cloth clean the pieces of any stains or marks. Connect the pieces from the bottom thickest part to the narrowest top part. Finally, check if all the pieces are straight going down. If not, then straighten it as necessary.
Step 2: String your fishing rod
Before you start to string a fishing rod you need to know just how much weight your reel can handle. Most beginners’ reels can handle 6-12 lb test lines, so we recommend that you use an 8-10lb test monofilament line for the best results.
To start stringing your fishing rod, you must take your fishing line and rig it through its pull. Once the line is rigged through all the eyelids, you can tie a knot on the rod’s bail. Ensure that the bail is open because stringing the line becomes problematic when it’s closed.
Step 2.5: Tie the fishing knot
To tie the knot to the bail, you can use any number of knots, but a few are arguably the best. For example you can use a 2-5 knot or arbor knot. Both knots are reasonably primary and thus easy to learn. To help you out, here are two videos about how to tie a 2-5 knot and an arbor knot.
Both of these knots are excellent choices when you string your fishing rods. Just ensure that you keep a big enough opening so the line can go around your reel or spool before you tighten it. Cut the line that’s left over with a pair of scissors or line snipper/cutter.
Step 3: Feed your reel with line
Now that the line has been tightened around the spool you can feed with the fishing line. To start feeding it you need to close the bail while placing some line in one of its nooks. As you feed the spool remember that monofilaments have a lot of what’s called line memory.
So ensure you spool the line the same way it’s spooled around the package. This is so that you don’t tangle the lines too much. Check the fishing every 10 to 15 reels to ensure it isn’t too much line memory. Another way to ensure the line doesn’t get tangled is by pinching the line with two fingers or against the rod.
It would be best if you reeled until there are about 100 yards of fishing line on your spool or until there is about 1/16th to ⅛ of an inch of space between the reel rim and the end of the reel spool. With the spool fed, you can snip the fishing line while keeping about 3 to 4 feet of line hanging from the top of the rod.
Step 4: Add hooks, baits, and lures
You have finished stringing a fishing rod so you can now tie a hook or lure to your fishing rod. One of the first things to tie to your fishing line that we would recommend is a bobber. This is because a bobber will help keep your bait afloat.
Go about two to three feet from the bobber; you should place a split shot, a weight to make your bait stay down. Then go to the end of your line to tie your hook. For beginners, a size one hook is the best choice and works really well with worms.
To tie the hook onto your fishing line, use a slipknot like a fisherman’s knot which you can learn from many places. Once the hook is tied, you can get some baits on it and start fishing. However, some people get squeamish with bait like me so you can go with a lure instead.
You don’t have to worry so much about bobber or split shots with lures. You can tie a lure to your line and go fishing. If you are looking for some recommendations here are a few that I personally like a lot:
- Repella floating minnow
- Jointed crankbaits
- Kevin van damme 1.5 scroll crankbaits
Step 5: Check everything and test it
Once everything is stringed and tied correctly, you can test it out to see if it works like it’s supposed to. For a starter, you need to open the bail fully so that the line can unspool without any issues. Next place your trigger finger on the string and against the rod.
Then you need to cast the line like you are throwing a baseball meaning you need to release your finger just as you finish your casting motion. This will allow the line to go out correctly without getting tangled. You can close the bail if everything works like it’s supposed to.
String a fishing rod: Types of reels
As stated above, the method for stringing a fishing rod is similar across multiple reels with only a slight difference. The method above is shown for a spinning reel which is one of the most basic ones and has similarities with many other types.
But few reels are somewhat different, so the method to string a fishing rod with these reels needs some modification. Here are a few reels which we found need those modifications:
Spincast reel
This is a reel that also goes by ‘Closed spinning reel’ so it is similar to the spinning reel yet slightly different. The method to string a fishing rod with a spin cast reel isn’t that different. So here are the only difference:
- Take off the cover of the spool
- Thread the fishing line through the cone
- Tie a knot on the spool
- Put the cover back on
- Wind the spool to feed it
Fly reel
Fly reels are a bit special because they need two types of lines to work; backing and fly line. The backing is a line that matches the entire length of the fishing reel line. The most backing line comes from Dacron and comes in 12 to 30lb. It’s attached to the fly reel arbor and fly line.
After you fill the backing onto the reel by following the steps mentioned above you need to:
- Tie a bimini twist now at the end of the backing.
- Form a loop
- Use a loop-to-loop connection to make a connection to the fly line
- Use an improved clinch to add your leader
- Finally, add the flies
Baitcasting reel
This is one of the harder reels to fish with. But they offer greater casting distance and accuracy than others on the market. To feed the reel follow the steps above; the only difference is you don’t open the bail arm; instead you:
- Put the line through the line guide
- Use a knot to tie the line around the spool
- Wind up the reel
String a fishing rod: Types of lines
Like there are different types of fishing reels, there are different types of fishing lines. Not all of them work the same way and not all of them are best for different scenarios. Therefore you need to know which line to choose when fishing. Here are the best line types we found while testing them all:
- Monofilament
- Braided
- Fluorocarbon
- Nanofil
Monofilament
The most common choice for a fishing line is the monofilament fishing line since it’s so durable and lightweight. Even though monofilament fishing lines have been around for so long, their effectiveness is still noteworthy. One of its key features is that it’s really stretchy; thus it can transfer energy, which is very useful when fishing.
However, the stretchiness of the line can be problematic since it causes the line to loop around itself frequently.
Braided
Another well-known and trusted type of fishing line is the braided lines due to how strong they are. There are multiple categories of braided lines, each with a specific carry limit. There are some with a carry limit of 200lb while others with a much smaller limit.
One of the only issues with these lines is that they are opaque in color, which makes them easy to spot by fish.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon is a modern line material that is both heavy and robust. Even though these lines can handle big catches and are transparent, fish have difficulty finding them. This is the main benefit of using them.
Because of its strength, this kind quickly becomes tangled, so you must be careful when spooling it onto your reel.
Nanofil
Unlike braid, nanofil is not woven. Its extreme slenderness makes it capable of casting the widest net. Given the resilience of the fiber, this strikes a decent balance.
Tips for when you string a fishing rod
When it comes to fishing or stringing a fishing rod, some common mistakes are made by almost all beginners and even some experienced ones. Here are some tips for beginners we have found after we made some of those common mistakes and we think you should learn them.
- Fishing takes time so be patient
- Overfilling your reel will lead to tangles
- Keep the line tight for better casting
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What to do if my fishing lines get tangled up?
There is a good chance your fishing lines will get tangled as your string the fishing rod. So to avoid them you need to feed the reel in the direction the line is packed. If your lines do get tangled, you need to turn the line package upside down or downside up. Turn it until it doesn’t tangle up after a few reels.
Which is the best type of line to string a fishing rod?
We have tested a few types of fishing lines, and the monofilament and fluorocarbon lines are the best ones according to our tests. Both choices are good for when you fish from on a kayak or to keep fish on kayak.
How much is a fishing line?
Depending on the type of fishing line you choose and how much you buy the price will defer but on average fishing line spools can cost between $10 to $40 on Amazon.
What not to do when I string a fishing rod?
Here are a few things you shouldn’t do when you string a fishing rod:
Don’t lose your cool
Don’t reel the line too fast
Don’t allow the line’s tension to become loose
Conclusion
As you string your fishing rod, you need to pay attention even though it’s easy to do. Ensure your fishing rod is straight and the line is fed without tangles. The process we have written about above is one you can use with most rods and we have also talked about how to do it with different reels.
So string your rod and start fishing as soon as you can.