Admittedly we have a lot less experienced with closed face reels as opposed to spinning reels. Dad only used spinning reels so those were the ones we were most used to. Honestly, to this day I’m still a bigger fan of spinning reels versus spincast reels, but to each their own.
Both reels can be very high quality. When teaching kids to fish for the first time, a closed face reel isn’t the worst thing in the world. Push button casting is a little easier to learn than what a spinning reel requires.
However, as with any fishing rod you need to understand the best way to take care of it. As well as the best gear to get more success out on the water. The type of fishing line you use matters a lot when it comes to the style of fishing reel you’re choosing to use.
If you’re looking at the best fishing line options for closed face (spincast) reels then you have come to the right place! Read on for why monofilament is generally best, followed by Fluorocarbon line and braided fishing line.
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Best Fishing Line to Spool on Spincast Reels
There are many different kinds of fishing line available on the market today, but not all of them are a good choice to use with a closed face reel. Many reels have shallow spool wells, which means that they’re not suitable for large diameter lines.
If you want to keep your reel in prime condition, you should consider the following options and specs:
Monofilament Fishing Line
Monofilament line, also known as mono, is the most popular option for spincast fishing. It does not cost a lot, it ties well, and it performs well in most environments. It also has a high stretch factor, so it’s good for setting hooks and for top water.
When you’re operating with a test under 10 lbs, you should find this works well and allows you to catch a lot of fish, including bass, walleye, and catfish.
You can often catch cold water fish such as trout, and small fish such as perch, bluegill and crappies with a smaller line, as little as 2-6 lbs.
If you want to test something more than what the reel calls for, and you really want to use a spincast, you will have to put less yardage on the spool and reduce the drag to reduce the load on the bearings.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon, or Fluoro, is rapidly gaining popularity among the bass fishing community because it is almost undetectable underwater, can withstand more wear than mono, and is usually thinner when compared to an equivalent pound test of mono too.
Fluorocarbon fishing line is a good idea if you want to put a light lure in deep water or you are going to be jigging. For anything under 12, you should find it works well on a good spincast.
While not quite as common as monofilament fishing line, there’s still a lot to like about what fluorocarbon brings to the table. We’re a big fan of Berkley’s Vanish fluorocarbon fishing line. A reliable brand name that produces an outstanding line that won’t clearly show up 12 feet under water.
Whatever reel you are using, though, make sure that you moisten the knots you make before tightening it – including the knot that you make in the spool.
Braided Line
Braided line is quite old-fashioned, but some people still insist on using it. It doesn’t stretch, and it tends to be hard to tie. While braided line has a well-deserved reputation for being pretty strong and unlikely to break, you need to keep in mind that it is also not particularly transparent.
When you’re setting the line you might find that it digs itself deep into the spool and it can jam rather easily. To work around this, you have to use low drag settings. Braided line is only really any good for experienced anglers who have a reel with a high bearing ratio. It does take some experience to properly spool this fishing line on a closed face reel.
The main plus to it is that it’s very thin, so you can generally use a pretty high weight of test line without issue. This is especially useful if you are looking for larger game fish like northern pike or muskie.
While most younger anglers are going to shy away from braided fishing line for monofilament or fluorocarbon. That said, there are a few braided line options out there that we don’t mind, but if you’re going this direction you definitely want to stay with the higher end options.
Some Final Thoughts
Spincast reels are reliable and easy to use. If you operate them properly you should find that they perform well and that they will serve you well for many years to come. Make the right choices, and learn the characteristics of each type of reel and you should find that you can fish well with a closed reel, and that swapping line types becomes second nature.
A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to avoiding problems with your fishing lines, and maximizing your chances of catching fish. Make sure to send us a picture when you bring in that big one!
