While it might not be the flashiest tool in your arsenal, a good fishing line spooler can save you from serious headaches.
No more threading a pencil through the spool and trying to grip it with your toes as you wind the line!
Fishing line spoolers and winders allow you to quickly and effectively spool line to a spinning, baitcaster, or fly reel. You can also use them in reverse to remove old line to a spare spool for storage.They can also be used without someone else holding onto the spool, so there’s no need to bother your significant other!
I’ll break down some of the best spoolers on the market, how to pick the right one for your needs, and briefly explain how to use them.
Quick Answer: 5 Best Fishing Line Spoolers
- Best Overall: Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler
- Runner Up: Piscifun EZ Fishing Line Spooler
- Best Clamp Line Spooler: DAIICHI High Speed Line Recycler
- Budget Pick: thkfish Fishing Line Winder
- Also Consider: PLUSINNO Fishing Line Spooler
Why do you need a fishing line spooler (winder)
Why do you need a fishing line spooler – can’t you just use a pencil?
While a pencil can get the job done in a pinch, a dedicated line spooler makes the job much easier. Spooling by hand often leads to tangles, twists, and knots.
Many line spoolers eliminate these twists entirely by rotating the spool as it unwinds, matching the direction of the feeder spool and the reel. Some models feature portable mounts that attach directly to your rod or reel, making them great for longer trips where you may need to swap out line.
Line spoolers can be used with both wide and narrow spools of mono, braided or fluorocarbon line. Most will work with a wide variety of reel sizes, from the smallest ultralight spinner up to the beefiest trolling reel.
They’re also fairly inexpensive, so adding one to your fishing arsenal is a great value.
Best Overall: Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler
Versatile, easy-to-use, and tough as nails, this well-made line spooler from Piscifun has all the functionality you need to spool both wide and narrow line spools. It features two different winding modes: fixed for spooling line to baitcasting reels and rotating for spooling line to spinning reels.
To switch between the two modes, simply tighten or loosen the fastener on top of the gimbal. You can also adjust the gripping arms to accommodate different spool widths by rotating the middle knob. Adjusting this middle knob also allows you to modify the amount of tension on the spool.
The frame is made from high strength graphite, which keeps it lightweight and durable. It’s also compact and lightweight, making it easy to throw in your tackle box for whenever you might need it.
The only major downside is no line counter for measuring how much line you’ve spooled is included, but that’s fairly minor.
Key Features
- Works well for both baitcasting and spinning reels
- Adjustable tension
- Works for any width spool
- Compact, breakdown design makes it easy to stash in your tackle box
- Piscifun is the Exclusive Authorizee to sell this patent line spooler in the U.S. market. Any spoolers without Piscifun logo on it will be illegally reproduction!
- A must have for fisherman. Clever tool for loading your reel with braid or mono, or doing simple things like tying a #6 fish hook which from experience it tangles, line slips loose, etc. No more using a pencil or the wife to help you hold the reel.
- A truly well engineered quality built product. The Line Winder works great with both wide and narrow spools. Comes with a 3/8 in. bushing, can perfectly work with string spools ( Mono / Braid Line ) that have the smaller diameter center holes.
- Spinning Reels / Baitcaster Reels Interchange Directions: Tighten the wheel fastener on the tip when winding a baitcater reel, loose it while winding a spinning reel and let the spool spin with the rotor.
- Compact and lightweight make Piscifun Line Winder portable. You may carry it no matter where you go and get it in hand at any time as long as it is in your car. Please note that the Piscifun Reels and Line are only for spooling reference, they are not included in the package!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Runner Up: Piscifun EZ Fishing Line Spooler
This compact, multipurpose spooler can be used in a variety of different ways – providing a true all-in-one line spooling tool. It can be mounted to a smooth surface with the included suction cup or can be mounted directly to your rod with the built-in rod clip.
The adjustable grips can accommodate spools from 0” up to 5.5” wide, allowing you to spool nearly any width spool. To adjust the line tension simply rotate the same adjustment knob that opens and closes the clamp arms. The spool gripping arms can set to lock in place for spooling line to baitcasting and trolling reels, or it can be set to rotate for spooling onto spinning reels.
The rod clip works well for both thick and thin rod blanks, from slim 0.2” diameter rods up to beefy 1.1” rods. Designed to breakdown into a compact bundle, it’s one of the most portable line spoolers on the market today.
Key Features
- Two mounting options: clamped directly to the rod blank, or with the suction cup on a flat surface
- Can accommodate line spool widths up to 5.5 inches
- Works with baitcasting, spinning and trolling reels
- Breaks down into a compact package for easy transport and storage
- Portable & Durable - Made of composite fiber, lighter weight and durable. Easy to install and you can carry it to everywhere (whether you are in kayaks, boats, etc. ) to spool fishing line by yourself.
- Two Ways to Spool Your Line - Assembling with the sucker, you can spool on the smooth surface, such as glass, tiled floor, ca surface etc. Assembling with the rod clip, then you can directly spool the reel on your rod to spend less time for winding action.
- Work With Large & Small Spools - The maximum width of the spools can be up to 5.5in/140mm, the clamping range is 0-5.7in/145mm, please check out the instructions for guidance of adjustment. Adaptable to spinning reel, baitcasting reel and round trolling reel etc.
- Versatile for Both Thick & Thin Rods - The line spooler clamp can hold the rod blank from 0.2-1.1inch in diameter. Use the CONVEX surface of locking lever if your fishing rod blank is 0.2-0.6in/5-15mm in diameter. Use the CONCAVE surface your rod blank is 0.6-1.1in/15-28mm in diameter.
- Easiest Way to Spool Fishing Line by Yourself - If you are so tired of spooling the line by hand which from experience it tangles, line slips loose, etc. Piscifun Line Winder keeps the line in the spool to your reel professionally! Note: Fishing reel and fishing line in the photo are not included in the package!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Clamp Line Spooler: DAIICHI High Speed Line Recycler
If you’re looking for a fast winding line spooler that securely clamps to a desk or workbench, then you’ll have a hard time beating this made in Japan Daiichi spooler. It features a gear ratio of 3.5:1 – which allows you to reel line 3.5 times faster than with most other models.
The Japanese construction is a cut above most other spoolers in this price range. It looks and feels like a far more expensive piece of equipment.
An adjustable tension knob allows you to precisely set the reel tension to your preferred level, including the high tension settings needed for Japanese style speed jigging with PE line.
The mounting clamp can fit desks or tables up to 1.4 inches (35mm) thick, so make sure you have an appropriate surface that will fit inside the clamp.
Key Features
- 5:1 gear ration allows you to wind and unwind line 3.5X faster than normal
- Sturdy, high-end Japanese construction
- Surprisingly compact design is easy to fit in most tackle boxes
- The mounting clamp will fit on surfaces up to 1.4” thick
- Maximum mounting width: 1.4 inches (35 mm)
- The 3.5x handle makes it easy to use and speedy
- Strong tension allows it to be rewound on the reel, making it perfect for winding a PE line for jigging
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Budget Pick: thkfish Fishing Line Winder
If you’re looking for a practical and efficient line spooler without breaking the bank, then this all-aluminum clamp-on spooler fits the bill nicely. It comes in three different configurations: short, long, and vertical slim. The short style will fit spool widths up to 1.66”, the long style can fit spools up to 3.25”, while the vertical slim style will accommodate spools up to 2.76” wide.
The design is fairly straightforward, but it gets the job done. A sturdy, non-slip mounting clamp fastens the spooler to any surface up to 2.44” thick, while the double-headed fastening spring can accommodate two spools simultaneously.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to alter your spooling method to minimize line twist when spooling. When spooling line to a baitcasting reel, the line must come over the top of the feeder spool, not from underneath. For a spinning reel, the opposite is true, the line should come off the bottom of the spool.
Key Features
- Compact, straightforward design is effective and easy-to-use
- Sturdy, non-slip clamp mount securely fastens to any flat surface
- 3 different configurations: short, long, and vertical slim
- Works with spinning reels, baitcasters, trolling reels and more
- STABLE STURDY AND POWERFUL: Fishing line spooler with clamp . Not easy to loose, fast and easy to entangle. Built-in anti-slip mat, the clip is more stable and not easy to loose. Clamp its very powerful and will hold up to the stress of the line pull. Please note that the reels and line are only for spooling reference, NOT INCLUDING in the package(The cloth bag is included in the package).
- MULTIPLE USE LINE SPOOLER: A most have for fisherman. Multiple uses, whether you are at home, boats, truck, or basically anywhere,you can easily take and use this fishing line winder. It is easily portable and can be mounted on anywhere that you can clamp it to. Clamps bottom, no limited by flat or smooth surfaces, and you will get a better hold to spooler by clamping it at the edge of desk, chair and so on.
- ADJUSTABLE MAXIMUM THICKNESS: Maximum thickness of Five Style Line Spooler are all 2.44in/6.2cm. It is adjustable, make fishing more conveniently. C-clamp that can attach to your table, workbench, tailgate, etc. Like a C-clamp, you spin the threaded rod to tighten the clamp onto your table. Fishing Line Winder makes fishing better!
- PRACTICAL 2 WAYS FOR USING: The two ways shows as the picture, you could the one way that you like. Double-headed fastening spring. Tighten on the left and loose on the right. Fishing line winder is easy to use, very solid and portable for storage. Exquisite cloth bag for easy storage and carrying . Time saver, Excellent tool for the fisherman!
- EASY TO USE: Line Spooler are easy to use. TWO LINE WINDER: A-Long Style(Maximum spool width:3.15in/80mm), A-Short Style(Maximum spool width:1.96in/50mm), B-Long Style(Maximum spool width:3.15in/80mm), B-Short Style(Maximum spool width:1.96in/50mm). B Style is with yellow wire reel clamp which is made of ABS Plastic, When rotate the fishing wire reel, it has less frictional noise.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Also Consider: PLUSINNO Fishing Line Spooler
This compact, easy-to-assemble line spooler is the perfect option for clamping to your desk, workbench or tailgate. It uses a simple c-clamp with a quick release to attach to any flat surface up to 2.3” thick.
A standard reel seat allows you to attach a spinning, baitcaster or fly reel to the tool – so you don’t have to hold the reel in your hand while you’re spooling. The spooler can accommodate spools up to 3 1/2” wide, so it will fit the vast majority of spools other than the largest bulk-sized spools. It can also fit multiple spools of line simultaneously – allowing you to spool backing line and main line without having swap out the spools.
Turning the axle knob allows you to easily adjust the amount of tension on the line.
Like other line spoolers with fixed axels, you’ll need to ensure you’re spooling from the right part of the feeder spool.
Key Features
- C-clamp with quick-release rapidly attaches to any flat surface
- It can hold two spools simultaneously
- Works with spinning reels, baitcasters, trolling reels and more
- Holds spools up to 3 ½” wide
- Fishing Line Spoolers mainly made of aluminum alloy,stainless steel and ABS plastic. It is easy to use,very solid and portable for storage
- Two-way Functions:Transfer the line from the line spool to the fishing reels; Line from the fishing reel can be quickly reeled onto an empty spool and stored.
- The Line Winder works great with baitcasting reels,spinning reels and trolling reels.
- Necessary Fishing Gear for everyone like fishing.Whether you’re fishing starter or avid fisherman,here’s the fishing line spooler plusinno you need to get.your father,husband or son will enjoy this time saver,Dont miss this great gift on Fathers Day.
- Multiple uses,wheather you are at home,in kayaks or boats,you can easily take and use this fishing line winder.You may carry it no matter where you go and get it in hand at any time as long as it is in your car. Please note that the baitcast reels and line are only for spooling reference, they are not included.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How to pick the best fishing line spooler
With so many different features, types, and configurations, picking the best fishing line spooler can seem like a confusing task. I’ll break down what you need to know to help you choose the ideal line spooler for your needs.
Spool Capacity
Line spoolers have a maximum spool width that they can fit.
They typically vary from 1.75” to 5.5”, so make sure your spools of fishing line can fit inside any spooler you’re interested in. If you typically buy bulk sized spools, then going with the largest spool capacity available is a smart idea.
Many line spoolers are also able to hold two separate feeder spools at the same time. This is highly useful when you need to add backing and main line to a reel in one shot. Going with a wider spool capacity also makes sense in this case.
Mounting
There are a wide variety of mounting options when it comes to line spoolers. Some utilize c-clamps or suction cups to mount to a flat surface, while others feature reel seats or rod clamps to attach directly to a rod/reel.
The ideal type for you will mostly depend on where you plan to use the line spooler.
If you want one that’s highly portable, and can be used on a boat, kayak or shoreline, then go with the portable style that attaches directly to the rod/reel. On the other hand, if you plan to use the spooler at home or in your garage, then a c-clamp style will work well.
I’d recommend avoiding suction cup mounted spoolers, as they tend not to mount as well as the clamp types.
Tension
Adding tension to your line as you spool is an important feature of any line spooler. Line tension is what prevents your line from creating bird’s nests or backlash when you cast.
Loosely spooled line can also damage the rest of your line during casts, hooksets, and snags by digging into the line still in the spool.
Line spoolers allow you to adjust the amount of tension by turning the knob (or knobs) that hold the feeder spool in place.
Reel Type
Most line spooling stations can spool line to spinning, baitcasting, trolling, and fly reels. While they’re all able to wind line fairly well, some are more effective than others.
One feature to look out for is rotating arm grips that allow the feeder spool to turn freely as you wind in line. This feature is designed for use with spinning reels – it essentially eliminates line twists from developing.
Clamp-style spoolers typically don’t have this feature, so you’ll have to ensure you set up the feeder to avoid line twists. For baitcasting reels, the line should come off the top of the feeder spool, for spinning reels it should come from the bottom of the spool.
How to spool fishing line
Spooling line to a fishing reel is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you avoid line twisting and unnecessary malfunctions.
Spinning Reels
The first step is to open the bail (the little wire arm that flips up and down) and tie your line to the spool with an arbor knot. Next, cut off any tag end remaining with a pair of scissors and close the bail.
Then attach your spool of line to the line spooler (if it’s not already attached). If you’re using a spooler with a fixed axle, then ensure the line is coming off the bottom of the feeder spool. If you’re using the type with a rotating spool grip, make sure it’s set to rotate.
Turn the knob that holds the feeder spool in place until there’s a slight amount of pressure being applied on the line. Now crank the handle until your spool is about 1/8th inch from the rim. It’s important not to underfill or overfill it, as this can make casting difficult.
Baitcasting Reels
Although baitcasting reels are more challenging to master than spinning or spincast reels, they’re actually easier to spool by yourself.
To spool line to a baitcasting reel, start by wrapping your line around the spool and tying an arbor knot. Then trim the tag end as close to the knot as possible.
Next, attach your spool of line to the line spooler (if it’s not already attached). Make sure the line is coming off the top of your feeder spool.
Ensure there’s a constant pressure applied to the line as you spool. Next, wind in the line until your reel is about 1/8” from the top of the spool mounts. You can add more, but make sure no part of the spool comes in contact with the reel body.
If you’re using braided line, you’ll need to add a length of mono or fluorocarbon line directly to the spool as backing. This prevents line slippage and provides a stable base for the braided line. You can attach this backing line to the braid with an Albright knot or a double uni knot.
Check out my review of the best fishing knot tying tools to help you tie any knot with ease.
Maintenance
Whenever you’re un-spooling old fishing line it’s a good idea to use a wet washcloth to rub off any gunk, dirt, or salt that’s built up over time. This will go a long way to preventing line deterioration and will extend the life of your fishing line.
Spooling or unspooling line presents a perfect opportunity to perform some basic maintenance on your reels.
To keep your reels in top shape, simply remove the line spool entirely, and rub down all surfaces of the reel with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Then apply several drops of fishing reel oil to the bearings, roller assembly, bail arm assembly and handle.
If you’re interested in an in-depth explanation of fishing reel maintenance, check out my detailed breakdown of fishing reel grease and oil.
