Bird's nest after Bird's nest

I'm still pretty new to crappie fishing, or fishing in general. I've been fishing cats since last summer, and I have never had this problem on my medium action rods. They were rods I inherited from my father-in-law (Durango?). I bought a Shakespeare Crusader with Mr. Crappie 6 lb test at the behest of the employee at Academy. So far I really hate it. I don't know if it's because I'm terrible at using a light action rod, or if the set-up itself is terrible. It seems that every cast is a bird's nest waiting to come off the reel. I have to grab the line with my forefinger as I cast to prevent it. Also, the line spools out and stays in a spiral, which I find annoying, since I can't keep the line tight. I've never had these problems on my other rods. Is it me or the gear? Are there ways to fix/prevent this, or should I just invest in a new set-up? Please help! If it makes a difference, my terminal tackle mostly consists of a rocket bobber, a split shot, a thin wire green panfish hook, and a minnow. Thanks in advance.

You spooled the line wrong.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...m=122&ie=UTF-8

Is that reel a spinning reel?
#1 I suspect you are fighting line twist if it is. Spoiling line on backwards. Take the rod and open bail, take end of line and walk it out until it is all off the spool. Take rod in hand,pinch line between thumb and finger, reel line back on under slight tension. This will cause line to spin taking out some of the kinks. Do this 3-4 times. Then pull out about 50 ft of line,tie end to something stable. Putting some tension on line by pulling straight back. I will pull and release several times. This will stretch out some of the kinks in the line. That new Mr Crappie line is bad about taking a set. If that dosnt help your problem I suggest getting a different line. You want the line to go on the reel the same way it comes off the spool. When reeling line on if it starts to wrap arount tip turn spool over.

I didn't spool it. The employee did. I guess I just figured they should know how to do it correctly since they work there. Yes, it's a spinning reel. I actually went into the store to get an ugly stik, but they didn't have the one I wanted, so I got talked into this one. I'll see if I can fix it this afternoon, thanks for the help.

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Originally Posted by rachelrig

i'm still pretty new to crappie fishing, or fishing in general. I've been fishing cats since last summer, and i have never had this problem on my medium action rods. They were rods i inherited from my father-in-law (durango?). I bought a shakespeare crusader with mr. Crappie 6 lb test at the behest of the employee at academy. So far i really hate it. I don't know if it's because i'm terrible at using a light action rod, or if the set-up itself is terrible.

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Bingo!

Cheap tackle = lotsa headaches

Save your money and get a decent Daiwa or Shimano.

I would just scrap line and re-spool correctly. I fish with cheap $19.99 Crappie Maxx reals and have no problems.

First - make sure the spool isn't overfilled. Stores will often overfill the spool so the customer feels they got what they paid for. There should be about 1/16th to 1/8th inch of spool/rim showing above the line. If not, then remove enough line to provide an adequate gap. The line you are using may also be on the stiff side, with a lot of "memory" which makes the line want to "jump" off the spool. Limber monofilaments like Trilene XL usually work better on spinning reels.

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Originally Posted by Seabrat

First - make sure the spool isn't overfilled. Stores will often overfill the spool so the customer feels they got what they paid for. There should be about 1/16th to 1/8th inch of spool/rim showing above the line. If not, then remove enough line to provide an adequate gap. The line you are using may also be on the stiff side, with a lot of "memory" which makes the line want to "jump" off the spool. Limber monofilaments like Trilene XL usually work better on spinning reels.

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theysaidtheysaid

Thank you so much each and everyone of you for your help. The spool was indeed very full. I re-spooled the reel myself with 4 lb Fluorocarbon and the difference is very much night and day. I tossed a few times around the yard after spooling and it's smooth as butter. It's amazing how much distance I can get now with just a little flick! I think I will actually come to love this little rod now. Thanks again for being a kind and helpful community.

Glad they found you some answers . I usually would say on spinning open face reels over filling spool is #1 problem with twist in line second. Smaller reels work better with lighter high quality low memory line also. Trouble is everytime drag slips your are putting twist in the line. Good luck Crappie fishing.

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Originally Posted by rachelrig

I didn't spool it. The employee did. I guess I just figured they should know how to do it correctly since they work there. Yes, it's a spinning reel. I actually went into the store to get an ugly stik, but they didn't have the one I wanted, so I got talked into this one. I'll see if I can fix it this afternoon, thanks for the help.

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SINCE RETIREMENT , I APPLIED AT "DICKS" FOR A PART TIME JOB . THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT LIKE TO HIRE THOSE THAT HUNT/FISH TO WORK IN THAT DEPT. SAID THOSE FOLKS ALWAYS WANT OFF TO HUNT/FISH ! ---------------- DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS . LOL :dono :Rofl TOLD THE GUY I WAS LOOKING FOR A LIGHT ACTION ROD AND AFTER A FEW MIN. HE HANDED ME A ROD THAT HE SAID " IT DON'T WEIGH TO MUCH ":Rofl

You might try using a quality spincast reel. It's pretty much foolproof. You just push the button and give it a sling. Although I have several good spinning reels, I use them for tightlining and use the spincast for casting. Better distance and not nearly as much line trouble. A good spincast reel is around $50. I prefer 6 1/2'-7' graphite rod to go with it.

You have a line problem. kinks most likely from spooled wrong. run all line off reel back pinching in fingers. spray with line conditioner ( I use BPS brand ) 2 or3 times on spooled line, helps soak all the way too the bottom. spray spool when full, let sit over night. I do this to all my line when re-spooling never have any kinks. Good Luck !

One other thing that I can add to these great suggestions. When closing the bail, get in the habit of closing it by hand instead of cranking the reel to close it. Cranking the reel to close the bail will also cause line twist after a while.

One other thing, after you spool a reel, if you have a boat, with no jig or bait tied on the end of the line. Open the bail and let the line out from the back of the boat as you are going down the lake until all the line is almost off the reel then start reeling back up. The line going through the water as you reel will remove the line twist almost completely.

:hesaid

Another little trick you can use is most don't realize there is a light powder on the spools of line. When you spool up get your knot on the spool and as you put the line on run it between some damp paper towel - this will take the powder off and stretch the line some as you're spooling up.

You might also try a reel with little larger spool. This will help minimize line twist

You might try a different line. That Mr.Crappie stuff is junk since it started being made in China. Very springy stuff.

hold rod in hand, does it turn right or left ? the line should come off the spool the same direction ,. 80 % of what they say it will hold will be plenty . :fish

I have fond that a small reels narrow spool can cause some problems with bird nests to, the last few years we have been using Diawa D-Shock rod reel combo's the 5'6" light action rod and 1500 series reel that comes on it has a longer spool and seem to let the line out better. This paired with 2lb. Visious high vis yellow line have worked best for me. The line is a little hard to find and cost $8 to $12 for a 300 ft. spool in stores if you can find it, but go on line to their website and you can get a 2800 ft. spool for $10.00 and shipping that's what I do. I jig fish mostly with this setup but they do have line in all lbs. size to.

I use a cardinal 100 on a okoma 6'6".ultra light with 6lb. stren original . never had a problem even with 1/32 betts spinners .