How do you track the amount of line you've spooled?

When I spool a reel with new line I always just end up "estimating", which really just means a random guess, how much line I actually got on the spool.

Does anyone have any techniques they like to use to keep track? I've thought about counting cranks but uptake varies too much as the spool diameter increases.

I know I could use a digital spooler. I've seen auto and manual. Anyone have luck with these?

Edit: It probably doesn't make a huge difference but I'm curious about spinning reels

I just eyeball it. Leave about 1/8” from the lip of the spool.  Most line has memory so make sure you put it on correctly. Which direction depends upon what way the reel spins.

I use a small line counter and it works well for both braid an mono.

You could always count as you complete reels. Check the retrieve rate for that specific rod, then 1-2-3 it as you load.

Bushy

Usually the real will tell you pretty close to what will fit, so if it says 300yd of 20lb, I buy a 300 yard spool and I can pretty much guesstimate how much is left or missing but usually spot on.

Usually the real will tell you pretty close to what will fit, so if it says 300yd of 20lb, I buy a 300 yard spool and I can pretty much guesstimate how much is left or missing but usually spot on.

yeh prettymuch what Ido too.  Don't bother to count.  If a fish is spooling me, doesn't matter if I know how much line was there to start with haha.

Bushy

What AB and EK said regarding stated capacity and such.

EBNoob wrote:

<snipped>but uptake varies too much as the spool diameter increases.

Nope. Retrieve rate due to crank geometry remains constant. If one crank revolution equals 36”, it does that for an empty or full spool and everything in between.

What AB and EK said regarding stated capacity and such.

EBNoob wrote:

<snipped>but uptake varies too much as the spool diameter increases.

Nope. Retrieve rate due to crank geometry remains constant. If one crank revolution equals 36”, it does that for an empty or full spool and everything in between.

How would that be possible?

The number of rotations would remain the same but as the OD of the spool increases it would make more line to wrap around the spool would it not?

What AB and EK said regarding stated capacity and such.

EBNoob wrote:

<snipped>but uptake varies too much as the spool diameter increases.

Nope. Retrieve rate due to crank geometry remains constant. If one crank revolution equals 36”, it does that for an empty or full spool and everything in between.

How would that be possible?

The number of rotations would remain the same but as the OD of the spool increases it would make more line to wrap around the spool would it not?

John has a PHD in Advanced Ciphering and Quantum Goes-in-tas

While we’re learning stuff, why do you loosen the drag while your getting spooled, I wouldn’t know though, haven’t been spooled lately, certainly schooled but not spooled...

While we’re learning stuff, why do you loosen the drag while your getting spooled, I wouldn’t know though, haven’t been spooled lately, certainly schooled but not spooled...

Speaking of drag...

Holy drag Batman!

Crikey!  Too much...barely use 10lbs round these parts...

What AB and EK said regarding stated capacity and such.

EBNoob wrote:

<snipped>but uptake varies too much as the spool diameter increases.

Nope. Retrieve rate due to crank geometry remains constant. If one crank revolution equals 36”, it does that for an empty or full spool and everything in between.

How would that be possible?

The number of rotations would remain the same but as the OD of the spool increases it would make more line to wrap around the spool would it not?

John has a PHD in Advanced Ciphering and Quantum Goes-in-tas

Spooled, I mean - I've been schooled! 
Now I want to measure the wind on say a Shimano 4000 spinning reel at empty and full to see what the difference is.

Bottom line  (no pun intended) is, it doesn't matter the exact # of line feet on your reel.  Just fill the fucker up.  First time you break off on a snag, you don't know how many feet you got left anyway.

You and always tie on a topshot.

What matters is how muchline you have, not how many feet there are.  If a wahoo is ripping line off your reel, you can't count feet,  You gotta look at the spool and how small it's getting (PS don't tighten the drag.  Been there. Lived through the shame) Just look at the reel. 4/4 full, half full, or time to completely re-spool.

Bushy

Bushy

Bottom line  (no pun intended) is, it doesn't matter the exact # of line feet on your reel.  Just fill the fucker up.  First time you break off on a snag, you don't know how many feet you got left anyway.

You and always tie on a topshot.

What matters is how muchline you have, not how many feet there are.  If a wahoo is ripping line off your reel, you can't count feet,  You gotta look at the spool and how small it's getting (PS don't tighten the drag.  Been there. Lived through the shame) Just look at the reel. 4/4 full, half full, or time to completely re-spool.

Bushy

Bushy

In a world where I like to know every detail I can about things, this is even how I do it.  I overthink everything except for this, if I get spooled. Wow that's so cool lol, time to respool, and tell that story.  buy 50# in bulk, and save