How to Fix a Fishing Reel That Won’t Reel In?

There’s nothing more frustrating than your fishing reel giving up on you before your great angling trip. In these situations you find yourself wishing you knew how to fix a fishing reel that won’t reel in.

Well, we’ve got you covered! Fishing reels run into problems every now and then and trying to figure out what’s the cause this time can be a bit frustrating. 

Here we’ve mentioned the top reasons for your reel not reeling in and how you can solve them!

Fixing a Fishing Reel That Doesn’t Reel In

Well, there are numerous reasons as to why your reel will not reel in and each reason requires a different strategy to counter it.

Here’s the most common reason for your reel not reeling in and how you can combat them.

Tangled or Twisted Fishing Line

This simple reason might be why you’re having trouble reeling in. A twisted line can ultimately ruin the reeling action and with some patience and concentration, you can certainly fix this issue without a problem.

Here’s a step-by-step process on how to untwist and untangle your fishing line:

1. Cut off the lures and hooks at the end of the line for safety reasons. 
2. Carefully pull the loose end of the fishing line through the knot formation. By doing this slowly and carefully you can loosen the tangled line by a bit.
3. Continue with this process until the line starts gaining its original shape. 
4. However, if the process is too tedious for you, cut through the snags with a pair of scissors to fasten the process. 

Cast Bail Mechanism

There might be a chance that your cast bail mechanism has been broken or isn’t properly working anymore. The best way to go about this situation is to replace the damaged parts or replace the whole spinning reel itself. 

Here’s how you can replace the reel by yourself:

1. Undo the reel for bottom fishing by unscrewing the drag alongside the handle and the spool.
2. After taking off the spool, you’ll be able to see the gear system properly. 
3. Continue to remove the broken gears one by one and put new gears in place of them.
4. Adjust the remaining gears to their original positions.
5. Coat the gears in a small amount of lubricant all over. 
6. Reconvene the reel itself and test it out to make sure it’s performing properly. 

The Wrong Size of Fishing Line is on the Reel

One other common reason for the reel not reeling in properly is the incorrect size of the braided fishing line with respect to the reel itself. 

This issue can only be resolved by understanding the required sizing of your reel, unspooling the current one, and replacing it with the new one. 

How to Fix a Fishing Reel That Won’t Lock

Locking the reel is a critical factor when it comes to angling. This mechanism helps to build necessary control over the catch and assists greatly in the process of baiting. 

This issue can greatly hinder your angling experience and it can prove to be extremely frustrating. Luckily, we’ve devised this step-by-step process for you to follow through to get your fishing reel to lock again.

Repairing the Damaged Spool or Bail Wire Problem

To fix the issue of your fishing reel not locking in properly, you need to take a look at the condition of your spool and bail wire. Often these factors are the proprietors of disabling the lock mechanism. 

Here’s how you can fix the damaged spool or wire issue within your reel:

1. First gather a screwdriver, two pliers, the new parts for replacement 
2. Remove the screw holding up the bail wire with the help of the screwdriver.
3. Remove one screw from the rotating side. 
4. Keep these screws safe as they will assist in the reassembling process. 
5. Check the bail wire for any signs of damage. Depending on the condition of the wire you can decide whether you want to replace it with a new wire or fix this one. 
6. If the existing wire seems to be in good condition, check the line roller for any damage. Often the line roller disables the reel from locking. If necessary, replace this part. 
7. If both the bail wire and line roller are in perfect condition, then proceed to check the springs. If the spring is rusted or damaged, replace this spring immediately. 
8. After making necessary replacements, reassemble the reel back again with the help of the screwdriver and the previously removed screws. 

Fishing Reel Drag Not Working

Drag systems enable the angler to pull out heavier fish such as jerk bait or jack crevalle without the risk of damaging the line. Whilst pulling the fish out, the clown knifefish is trying to apply pressure on the line itself. In this situation, the drag prevents the line from reeling freely.

To solve this issue, first, check the drag system’s settings. Often if the drag is set on the lowest settings it proves to be ineffective which gives the impression of the drag not working itself. 

Then adjust the setting according to your liking to achieve the desired drag settings. However, if the situation doesn’t resolve in this manner, we suggest replacing the drag system altogether. 

Broken Fishing Reel

A broken fishing reel might be the result of your bail spring not working properly. You won’t be able to reel your line properly if the bail itself isn’t working.

1. Unscrew the bail from the reel
2. Pull off the washers from this bail spring and take it out the spring. 
3. If the spring appears to be dirty, thoroughly clean it. 
4. If the spring is broken, order one from the original manufacturer and replace it.
5. Once the appropriate measures are taken, reassemble the reel and test it out before taking it for the real thing. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to fix a fishing reel that won’t reel in is definitely a valuable skill and we hope this article helped you achieve that. Happy fishing!