How to Load the Line on a Shakespeare Reel

Peel off the old line from the reel, clip the knot at the spool and discard the line responsibly. Don't leave fishing line in the field where wildlife could choke on it or become entrapped.

Attach the reel to the rod and secure with the lock nut on the lower end of the rod handle.

Thread the new line through the rod guides, starting at the tip, down to the reel.

Wrap the line several revolutions around the reel and tie it with a double overhand knot, clipping the excess with a scissor or pocket knife.

Insert a pencil through the hole in the new spool of line. The pencil serves as an axle for controlling the plastic spool while new line is added, preventing the spool from rolling away and causing a tangled mess. The pencil, when held by a friend, also keeps tension on the new line so it winds compactly on the reel, rather than in loose loops that can lead to snarls when casting.

Feed new line onto the Shakespeare reel using the retrieve handle. Turn at a steady pace to wind the line evenly along the spool.

Load the reel with line to the fill mark on the underside of the spool cover. The amount of line a Shakespeare reel can hold depends on the spool size and the weight of the line. More than twice as much 8-lb. fishing line can be added to a reel than 20-lb. line, for example.

Tie a snap swivel to the end of the line when finished, using a clinch knot to secure the swivel. Clip the open snap swivel to the rod tip until ready for fishing.