Labeling Lines with their Length

[daves]

If like me you have a range of rods in a range of lengths, needing different length lines for optimum presentation, or if like Paul G & John P, you use a range of line lengths on each rod; then you might have a problem organising your line storage. Although I try to be organised, refiling my lines in appropriately labelled plastic envelopes when & if I take them off the rod, I don't always manage to be so self-disciplined.

My friend Steve & I were discussing this & have come up with the following failsafe way to determine line length without the need to measure against a rod or tape measure. I've just been Bug Bond Coding all my level lines. See the attached photo.. A Bug Bond blob on the tag end stopper knot equals 10'. Extra blobs on the top of the main line equal 1' per blob. If there is no blob on the tag end knot the line is less than 10' & each blob on the main line then equals 1' less than 10'. Thus the line shown in the photo is 11', whilst a 7' line would have no blob on the tag end knot & 3 blobs on the main line & a 10' line would just have a blob on the tag end knot.

All we need to do now is find a simple way to distinguish line weights & whether the line is copolymer or fluorocarbon. Any ideas??

It's the little things that make for efficient fishing!!!!!!

[springerman]

Dave, I got a box of Tronix rig winders, put a gummed label on and used an elastic hair band to hold the line in place.  They take up a bit more space but very practical I thought.  They come in a selection of colours so you could be colour co-ordinated.  Got quite a selection of lines now.  All good fun. 

[Paul G]

I tend to make up lines in advance and have them in a plastic ziploc bag (labelled with length, weight etc.) - then when I put one onto a shikake maki (line winder) I just pop the loaded line winder into the bag that the line came out of. I find it much better for avoiding zig-zag line memory compared to EZ keepers.

Because I've also amassed a few line winders now, I have labelled up a couple with my real "go to" lines.

[cm_stewart]

Oct 25, 2013 14:42:40 GMT daves said:

All we need to do now is find a simple way to distinguish line weights & whether the line is copolymer or fluorocarbon. Any ideas??

View Attachment

Fluorocarbon lines are now readily available in different colors. Use different colors for different line weights. My first thought on copolymers is one you wouldn't like (don't use them) but my second thought is that you may be able to find those in different colors as well. We don't have the same brands you do, so I have not seen what you use, and I do not know what colors are available. I have used several mono lines in the past but have not used copolymers, so I do not know how they perform. If they are relatively close to a nylon mono, you can certainly find several colors of nylon line.

[phil]

I have a few line winders now with favourite line lengths wound on ready to use or swap as necessary as the conditions dictate.

Phil

[daves]

Lots of good ideas thank you. Re rig winders, storage spools & zip-lock bags. I'm trying to be minimalistic in the gear I carry so rig winders & spools are out. I use zip-lock bags but being a naturally disorganised person often forget to put lines back into the correct bag. This is why I've been thinking about ways of marking the line.

I real, Chris, that copolymer lines have distinct disadvantages re casting, but most of my local streams are so overgrown that in many places it is impossible to 'high stick' which means I have to fish like a conventional rod with line on the water in such places. I found even using John P.s Payette paste that fluorocarbon line had a nasty habit of sinking which then snagged on underwater objects & impaired striking. Most of the time I find 0.35mm diameter copolymer lines work fine for the short-line style that I prefer. The line colour coding for line type is my favoured option at the moment & I think line weight should be fairly easy to determine from visual appraisal of line thickness, since I only use 2 weights of line.

Re the EZ keepers, I don't find that removing line memory is a problem with either copolymer of fluorocarbon lines; a quick stretch with a gentle release of the tension on the line usually works first time & EZ keepers are so much more convenient when climbing waterfalls & rock faces in Austria or fighting through forests when moving frequently between pools. Much quicker than winding line around a spool, plus the rod can be put into a quiver when 2 hands are needed for scrambling up steep banks & rock faces.

It's always interesting to hear & see how others tackle a problem.

Dave

[paul1966]

I have three T rods in my car all with 3.5# lines on them the longest line is on my ESO 4.2 which is about 14ft. I usually fish a line slightly longer than the rod and about 4ft of tippet. I don't change lines much the same line stays on the rod all season. I carry a spare spool of fluoro tenkara line just in case. I use cable ties as line holders. I decide which rod I'm going to use and stick with it. The only time I carry 2 rods is when I'm using the western gear then I always carry a T rod too in my back pack. I do sometimes use mono as line for the same reason a Dave, I like to use it when I'm dry fly fishing aswell now and again.

I don't worry about line memory I use the kinks as bite indicators.

If I want to use a long line I use a western style rod, I don't see the benefit of long lines on T rods. I'm sure someone will prove me wrong but as yet I can't see what the advantages are.

[flatsghost]

I use the Raji Leica line winders and use a fine marker pen to write details on the soft yellow centre. I only carry about 8 at any time to cover all the bases; they don't take up much room in my vest. I guess the other faom type line winders that Mike Roden does could be similarly written on. I try to keep it simple by not having too many to choose from!
Tight lines
Glyn