Some people prefer going by the book while doing something, and some people believe in practical experience. But the more competent are those who amalgamate both the qualities. Knowing pretty much every point and applying it in real to see the results is the key.
When you are a dummy or a beginner keeping this thing in mind will make your learning and practicing sessions easier. While fishing, a sturdy fishing pole is everything. No matter what type of fish you are targeting and in what kind of water conditions, if your fishing pole can handle it, you are almost inside the winning peripheral.
Knowing about a fishing pole can be complicated for a beginner because it’s no one component but a compilation of a few high-in-efficiency pieces.
So, to start from the very start, we explain everything about how to line a fishing pole for dummies so that you can reach the next level way sooner.
A Fishing Pole
We were talking about a fishing pole being constructed with a few components. So, what are those few components? Let’s have a look. We have four, to be precise.
- A fishing rod
- The fishing reel
- Fishing line
- A lure
The above four components together make a fishing pole.
However, a fishing rod has three main sections: a well-padded handle at the end to have a solid grip, a tip for sharp, accurate casting, and rings that guide the fishing line. It could be telescopic, could come in a few different parts, not assembled, or could be as it is, fully assembled, depending on the type you have purchased, and trust us when we say there is no dearth of high-quality fishing rods in every form we mentioned.
Additionally, a fishing reel is that cylindrical unit with the fishing line coiled or wrapped in it, and with a handle, you pretty much control the line that you cast in by winding and stowing and the fish you caught.
On the other hand, a fishing line could be a monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided fishing line, depending on your budget and what type of fish you are angling, and in what sort of water condition. It is wrapped in the reel and goes through all the guides in the rod. And at the end, you have the lure, which is tied to it.
A lure is an artificial bait that is used again and again to attract the fishes. They come closer to you, enticed by the fake bait, and if they take it, are all yours.
How to Line a Fishing Pole?
Now when you know which components make a complete fishing pole, let’s jump straight into explaining how to line a fishing pole step by step.
Step #1 – Clean The Components
It doesn’t matter whether all your fishing pole components are brand new or used multiple times to fish the biggest of brutes; the first step has to be cleaning each component, especially the fishing rod. A speck of dirt can make the assembling super lengthy and annoying. So, take a piece of clean cloth and wipe clean the fishing rod thoroughly.
Step #2 – Assembling The Fishing Rod
You have the one-piece fishing rod, fully-assembled, nice. But if it’s not, and you have multiple rod pieces to assemble, just take them all and follow the manufacturer’s guide religiously to construct the rod. Assembling the multiple pieces of a fishing rod is super easy in most cases; you just need to hold two pieces in alignment, insert and twist them. However, the crucial part is to align all the rings.
If they are not in one straight line, then the rod assembly isn’t done correctly. So, make sure you have aligned the two pieces keeping the rings in one straight line.
After inserting and twisting, check the rings by looking through them. If you can see a clear view at a distance through the rings, you know they are in one straight line and ready for taking the fishing line.
Step #3 – Set Up the Fishing Reel to The Rod
When you have your rod fully assembled, time to attach the reel. There is a specific space on the fishing rod to install or mount the reel called the reel seat. Hold the reel foot on the reel seat properly, and it should fit and set effortlessly. To make things extra cautious, make sure your fishing reel is facing the tip of the rod.
If that’s the case, you can start fixing it depending on its locking mechanism. Be firm while tightening the reel but make sure not to be too rigid. Too much rigidness might cause damage. So, be slow and steady while fixing the fishing reel to the rod.
Step #4 – Coil Up the Fishing Line in The Spool
So, we have our rod with a reel attached to it. Now is the time to work with the fishing line. In most cases, the fishing reel will guide you on how much it can take in terms of fishing line lbs. So, follow what your reel says. If it says the pound capacity is 6lbs/240yds, do not waste your time spooling a 20lbs fishing line on it.
One, you will fail to manage the line, and two, the casting will be too limited, stiff, and not at all flexible, which we don’t want while angling. So, here how it goes-
- Lay your fishing rod flat and take your fishing line through the first ring of the fishing rod.
- Hold the fishing line and tie an overhand knot at the tag end.
- Wrap the fishing line on the spool section and tie two regular overhand knots.
- Keep it loose on the spool at first and the very first overhand knot outside of those two overhand knots.
- Now pull the mainline slowly and tighten up the knots to the spool, slowly and carefully.
- Trim off the tag end for a neat release of the fishing line from the spool.
- You have opened the bail arm, and your fishing reel is already in the first guide for tangle-free spooling of the fishing reel.
- Apply a little pressure on the reel and the line while you roll the handle and spool the reel. Keep it slow but constant, with a bit of pressure. It will make sure the line is not coiling up loose, and you can have a tangle-free casting.
- Do not overfill your reel. The rule is to keep a 1/8-inch space between the top of the fishing reel and the fishing line. Both over spooling and under pooling the fishing reel is a no.
- Trim the access off, and you are ready with a perfectly spooled fishing reel.
Step #5 – Take The Line Through the Rings
Hold the tip of the fishing line and take the line through each of the rings on it. The number of guides will vary, but you have to take the line through each one of them. While doing it, your bail must be open. When you reach the tip, make sure to keep 3-4 inches of line dangling from there after you have inserted it in the tip.
Step #6 – Tie The Lure to The Line
There are multiple knots to tie the lure to the fishing line. The Improved clinch knot, Rapala loop knot, Palomar knot are to name a few. Tie your lure or hook with any of these knots to the fishing line. As it is a dummy guide, let us explain the easiest but one of the most effective knots to tie your lure to the fishing line. We are talking about the improved clinch knot.
- Take your tag end through the eyelet of the lure or the hook.
- Bring it to the mainline and twist it no more than five times around it.
- You have created a loop next to the eyelet.
- Take the tag end through that loop from the front.
- Taking it through that first loop has now created a second loop along the wrapped mainline.
- Bring the tag end through that second loop and slowly tighten the knot.
- Avoid friction on the mainline by anointing the line through saliva or water.
- To further tighten the knot, pull the lure from one side and the mainline from the other.
- Trim off the excess from the tag end.
Some anglers suggest using sinkers to add weight. But if you are using a high-quality rod and proper lure, it would be an optional step.
Final Words
With tying the lure to the fishing line, you are done lining a fishing pole. Now you are fully prepared for angling. During the first few attempts, it will feel complex. You will be clumsy. So, keep it in your mind that you will need to practice it repeatedly to perfect the whole process.
And once you have caught the right way, it will take no more than a few minutes for you to line your fishing pole. Yes, assembling the rod, installing the reel, spooling it, and lining the fishing pole will require a few minutes. So, get ready with all your fishing pole components to practice until you are no longer a dummy.
