Attaching braid fishing line securely to your reel spool is a critical step to prevent the line from slipping or spinning freely on the arbor (the core of the spool). Unlike monofilament, braid is slick and has no stretch, requiring a reliable knot to grip the spool.
One effective method involves using a Uni knot tied over a doubled section of the braid, often after initially wrapping the line around the spool arbor. This specific technique is referenced as a way to attach braid to a spool.
Attaching Braid Using a Uni Knot
Based on the described method, securing the braid to the spool arbor often involves these steps:
- Wrap the end of your braid line around the spool arbor at least once.
- Take the tag end and create a loop or double the braid against the main line running to the spool.
- Tie a Uni knot over the double braid. (as described in the reference). This means you form the loop for the Uni knot around both the standing line and the tag end (or the doubled section).
- Pass the tag end through the loop you just formed. The reference indicates a preference to do "Six six loops" when tying the Uni knot, meaning you should wrap the tag end through the loop six times.
- Before tightening, it's recommended to "lubricated a bit." This can be done by wetting the knot with water or saliva.
- Carefully pull the tag end and the standing line to "pull everything tight" and "pull them out nice and tight," ensuring the knot cinches down securely onto the doubled braid section and against the spool arbor.
This process creates a secure attachment point for the braid line on the spool, allowing you to begin winding the rest of your line without worrying about it slipping.
Why This Knot is Important for Braid
Braid's smooth, low-stretch nature means it needs a different approach than monofilament when attaching it to a spool. Without a knot that bites down effectively on the arbor or on itself, applying pressure (like when reeling in a fish) can cause the entire line capacity to rotate freely on the spool core, preventing you from retrieving line. The described Uni knot method, when properly tied over a doubled line section wrapped around the arbor, provides that essential grip.
