Preventing the line twisting

The fishing season is approaching, and many of us will be replacing our fishing lines. Let’s discuss the causes of line twisting, an easy solution to fix it, and the proper way to spool new line onto your reel.
Causes of Line Twisting
There are at least four main reasons why your fishing line twists:

1. Improper spooling during the initial setup
2. Rotating tackle during retrieval
3. Malfunction of the reel’s line roller
4. Use of the drag system during retrieval

First, let’s dispel a myth: no specific fishing line twists more than others. The line itself doesn’t twist – it’s your actions that cause it. Often, anglers feel that a 0.28 mm line doesn’t twist, but when they switch to a thinner 0.23 mm line, they notice the twisting. This is simply because thinner lines show twisting effects more prominently.
The same applies to shock leaders. While monofilament leaders may appear more prone to twisting than braided ones, the underlying causes are the same.
In carp fishing, tackle rarely rotates during retrieval, so we won’t cover that here. Similarly, line rollers on reels are often addressed in other articles and videos. Instead, we’ll focus on the most likely cause: the drag system.
Drag System and Line Twisting
The thinner the line, the more often you hear the drag clicking during fish retrieval. Especially in tournaments, where dozens of fish are caught, the line often remains twisted after the last retrieval. When you arrive at the next tournament with a twisted line, you risk experiencing line breakage during casting.
Many anglers neglect to untwist their line after competitions, even if they own tools like a spin doctor. In conversations with numerous carp anglers, I’ve noticed that many find it easier to cut and discard twisted line rather than spend time untwisting it.
To address this, Katran introduced the NEON 0.215 mm line in 2019, featuring a generous 1500-meter spool, so anglers can replace their line more frequently without worrying about waste.
But there’s also an easy and cost-effective solution that only takes a few minutes:

1. Clip the line into the spool clip.
2. Loosen the drag.
3. Switch the reel to reverse mode.
4. Turn the handle in the opposite direction until the twisting disappears.

This simple method saves both time and money.

Proper Spooling of New Fishing Line

Another common cause of line twisting is improper spooling during the initial setup. There are many techniques for spooling, but the most common and straightforward method is to place the spool in a bucket of water and begin winding.
This method works well but has some drawbacks. For best results, ensure that the spool rotates during winding. Flat, large-diameter spools may float horizontally in the water and fail to rotate, which can lead to twisting as the line winds onto the reel. Always monitor this during the process.
If the spool doesn’t rotate, some anglers allow the line to unwind in the opposite direction of the reel’s winding motion. While this can reduce twisting to some extent, it’s only effective if the diameters of the spool and reel are identical. In most cases, the diameters differ, leading to partial twisting.
Consistent and even tension during spooling is also critical. A practical solution for achieving this involves tools like suction cups with springs and clamps. However, these are often impractical at fishing venues due to a lack of suitable surfaces.

The Perfect Solution: Katran Line Spooling Tool

To solve these challenges, Katran designed the Line Spooling Tool (Clamp), a universal device suitable for all conditions and spool types.
The tool features a durable aluminum clamp that can attach to virtually anything – a table, chair, bedchair, rod pod, or even directly to your rod during casting practice in the field. The spring mechanism allows you to adjust the line tension precisely, ensuring effortless and proper spooling.
The Katran Line Spooling Tool is versatile, simple, and, most importantly, reliable. It’s the perfect companion for anglers who want an easy, efficient, and correct way to spool their fishing line.