Expert: Mark Rimmer - 9/28/2004

Question
I was given a Zebco Quantum SR2 reel and a rod and need to know how to put line on the reel.  I have never done this before (in fact, I've only gone fishing twice when I was a child) and was hoping to have the process explained to me.  I'm not even sure how to begin.

Answer
Hi there Jim, thanks for asking the question. My appologies for your not receiving the answer earlier. I actually responded within an hour or so of receiving your question but somehow it failed to reach you and I was notified by the site to recontact you and check the question...I pasted it here after retrieving it from my email where I had sent a copy for reference.
  I looked through my references to find the SR2 to get some stats for the reel and contacted Quantum directly...they no longer produce the reel and really were not helpful (although they were very prompt to respond) Unfortunately, the neither my older manuals nor the online resources had reference to the model number you gave me.
  I will go ahead and give you some brief instructions for putting line on all 3 types of reels that Zebco/Quantum make: Spinning, Baitcasting/conventional and Spincasting ("push-button").
  All spinning reels (identifiable by a wire bail that revolves around the spool as the handle is cranked) are loaded in the same manner:
1- Determine the line test (breaking strength) that is      correct for the reel. (This is usually printed ont he reels spool and often on the box...always in the reel info sheets/owners manual) and the type...clear monofilament is best.
2- Place the reel on the rod.
3- Open the bail.
4- Run the line through the guides from the tip to the reel.
5- Tie the line to the spool and trim the tag end very closely. Any good knot will do.
6- Place the spool of line on the floor or have someone hold it for you with one of the flat faces of the spool facing the tip of the rod so that the line will "loop" off of the spool...you do not want to use, in the case of spinning reels or spincasting reels, a pencil or stick and allow the spool to spin.
7- Grasp the rod with your right or left hand ( most spinning reels have a reversable handle so cranking can be left...the traditional way...or right if ya just can't coordinate turning with your left hand). With the hand you have grasped the rod with, pinch the line, now tied to the spool, and begin turning the reel handle. The bail should
flip over automatically as you turn the handle and the line will immediately begin filling the reel...here is a bit of a tricky part...watch the line between the filler spool and the rod tip as it loops off. If the lines memory is severe or the direction of the line looping off is opposite the direction of the line going onto the reel, the "loops" between the tip and the filler will continue to tighten and you are actually twisting the line as it fills the reel...this makes casting without tangles almost impossible and the line will have a mind of it's own. If the loops tighten as you spool, just flip the filler over and allow the line to come off the opposite direction. Because of the differences in polymers and stiffness and line memory, no surefire way is available to help out this situation with the exception of haveing the line wound onto your spool by a linewinding machine at your local full service tackle shop...theoretically, you should be able to have the line come off the filler opposite the direction of rotation of the reel and be fine...it just doesn't always work that way.
8- Fill the spinning reel until the line is about 1/8 " from the edge of the spool...a smidge more than 1/8" if the line is stiff.
 Now you are ready to fish! Remember that a reel will cast it's best when properly filled with the right test line.
 
Spincasting or Push-button reels:

Same for the spinning reels but you remove the spool cover, run the line through it, then tie onto the spool. Now replace the cover and proceed as with the spinning reel.

Baitcasting or "conventional" casting reels:

Again, start the same as spinning and spincasting, but you have no Bail to open and no cover to remove. Just feed the line throught he guides, then through the levelwind line guide (it goes back and forth on the reel as you turn the handle), then tie directly to the spool.
 With this type of reel, you have to place a pencil or stick through the filler spool and allow the filler spool to spin (with a bit of pressure for control) as you fill the reel. The line should come off the top of the filler spool and go onto the top of the reel spool. Fill the baitcaster until it is once again, about 1/8" inch from the spools edge. When applying pressure to the line (VERY IMPORTANT WITH ALL OF THE REEL TYPES TO INSURE TIGHTLY PACKED LINE) keep you finger pinch moving slightly side to side to insure perfectly level filling.
  Well Jim, I'm relatively certain the SR2 is a "S"pinning "R"eel so the first instructions should be the correct ones. If not, the other instructions should cover things well.
  Remember to learn about all the features of your reel so that you can properly set the drag pressure for the pound test line you choose, so that a fish can pull line from the reel with enough resistance to tire the fish but not break the line.
  As with any equipment, be certain to keep it cleand and well lubricated so you can ensure many years of great service.
  Time to go fishing!  I'm going out tomorrow off San Diego for some Yellowfin tuna, Dorado and Yellowtail....
  Hope this was of some help to you....write back if youhave any further questions...Good fishing! AND BETTER CATCHING!!!    Mark Rimmer- ALLExperts.com