- 1). Securely attach the fishing line to the spool of the reel with an arbor knot. Tie the arbor knot by pulling line around the spool for 6 to 8 inches. Tie an overhand knot with the free end of the line so the loop goes around the main line. Tie another overhand knot below the first knot using only the free end of the line. Moisten the knots, pull tight and trim excess line from the free end of the knot with scissors.
- 2). Wind fishing line onto the spool until the spool is just over three fourths full. Cut the line free from the filler spool with scissors. Open the bail of a spinning reel or press the spool release button of a casting or spin casting reel.
- 3). Lay the rod on a flat surface, this will help prevent the line from sliding back down and out of the line guides in case you let go while threading. Feed the line through the first line guide nearest the spool.
- 4). Work the line down the length of the rod and pass the free end of the line through each line guide as you go. Do not skip a line guide as this can affect the performance of the line while fishing.
- 5). Pull the line through and out of the rod tip. Continue pulling line so that there is 3 to 4 feet of line extending from the tip of the rod. The extra line will make attaching lures or hooks much easier by providing enough line to work with.
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