Loading a Popping Reel

Popping and spinning are one of the most consistently performing methods of fishing inshore & offshore. In South Africa, there are many species to target casting poppers and spoons, from Tuna to Dorado, Snoek, and even Couta.
In this video, Ray Thompson explains how to put a line onto your popping reel, what knots to use, and some helpful tips on the process.
You will need:
- Daiwa Saltist MQ reel
- 8x Daiwa J Braid
- Sunline FC100 Leader
- Mustad Scissors
Here is a separate video on how to tie the Figure 8 knot:
• Knots & Tips | Fig 8
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[@Fishstycz]

I use a broomstick with reel seats either end. I mount my popping reel one end and then I put an old Penn 500 with a good drag on the other end. I then load the popping reel full from the bulk spool. I cut the braid and wind it onto the Penn. I then tie the braid on with my permanent knot (fig 8 as above). I usually put a layer of duct tape on the popping reel spool to stop the possibility of slipping... It gives the braid something to bite into. I then wind the braid onto the popping reel under reasonably high drag provided by the Penn 500. This way, the popping spool has the correct lay and it's loaded under tension.

[@TheKingfisherFishing]

That is a top method! Well done and thank you for sharing.

[@TheAimtoplz]

Easy🤙

[@jonnywaselectric]

I personally always load a spinning reel by hand, some reels out of the box the line lay is perfect, some you need to shim to get the lay evenly. I have loaded 3 penn slammers this year and had to load, unload, shim and repeat to get them perfect. If a good tuna was to dump 200m off my spool that was loaded by a mechanical spooler there was no way it would have wound back onto the spool if it wasn't shimmed out of the box.

[@TheKingfisherFishing]

That's very interesting, thanks for your comment, Jonny. When you say shim, is that adding the washers to get the spacing right? Daiwa seem to always be perfect out the box.. (insert cheeky face lol)

[@jonnywaselectric]

@@TheKingfisherFishing yes the spool shims that come as spares in the box, I don't recall a diawa or shimano ever needing much tuning out of the box. I actually have a 6500 penn slammer 3 I must have tried loading it 6 times with 40lb braid changing the shims around and it was still not perfect, I gave up loading it with braid and just run 18kg tortue mono and use it for bait fishing off the rocks.

[@dongdong..1529]

Hi im here in Philippines im searching a popping fishing set up.. nice explanation

[@TheKingfisherFishing]

You can shop online: www.kingfisher.co.za/shop/ I hope you find what you're looking for.

[@dongdong..1529]

Yes sir Godbless