Setting Up a Fishing Pole: A Simple Step-By-Step Guide

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Best tips to set up your rod, reel, line, and lures
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Fishing can be a complex sport, but when you’re just starting out, all you really need is a basic rod and reel setup. Setting up a fishing pole is pretty simple, but it can take a little practice to get it right. Luckily, we’re here with everything you need to know, from putting the pole together to spooling the reel and attaching your lure—plus pro tips from expert fishing instructors to get your fishing trip started right.

How do you set up a fishing pole?

  1. Fit together the pieces of the rod if it came in multiple sections.
  2. Attach the reel to the base of the rod.
  3. Spool fishing line onto the reel if it’s not already spooled.
  4. Feed the free end of the line through the guides on the fishing pole.
  5. Knot a lure or hook onto the end of the line and you’re ready to go!
Section 1 of 5:

Setting Up Your Rod and Reel

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  1. 1
    Attach the separate parts of the fishing pole if they’re apart. Many fishing poles are made of two or three pieces—they take up less storage space when they’re broken down, but you’ll need to assemble them to use the pole. The joint where the sections fit together is called the ferrule—insert the male ferrule into the female ferrule, then twist the pieces to snug them together. [1]
    • Make sure the guides along the fishing pole (the rings that the fishing line goes through) are lined up with each other.
    • Don’t force the pieces together. If you feel any obstruction, or if the pieces don’t lock into place, examine the pole or check the owner’s manual to see if there’s a locking mechanism you need to engage or disengage.
    • Each time you re-assemble your fishing pole, wipe down the pieces with a cloth to remove any dirt or debris that could scratch the ferrules and damage them.
    • A light-power, fast-action rod is usually best for a beginner fishing setup because it’s easier to feel when there’s a fish on the line, and you’ll learn to work with the fish’s movements to successfully reel it in.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    If your rod and reel came separately, look at the bottom of your rod—you should see a female opening to insert your reel. Seat the reel against the opening in the rod, then rotate the threaded connector clockwise until the reel is snugged securely in place.
    • Don’t over-tighten the reel. If you force the threading, the rod might crack.
    EXPERT TIP

    Joe Cermele

    Fishing Expert
    Nothing
    Joe Cermele
    Fishing Expert

    Setting up a fishing pole is an art of precision and care. Treat each component — the reel, line, lures, and rod — with respect. Tune your senses to the environment and equip yourself for the species you seek. Then cast your line with a light touch and ready reflexes. The dance between fisherman and fish begins long before the catch.

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  3. 3
    Spool the reel if it doesn’t have line on it already. The way you spool new line onto the reel will depend on the type of reel you have. The most common reel is probably a spinning reel, but bait-casting, spin-cast, and fly fishing reels are also common.
    • If you have a spinning reel : Flip open the bail (the wire bar on the reel) and secure the end of the fishing line to the reel with a slip knot. Close the bail, then turn the handle on the reel until the reel is almost full. [2]
    • If you have a bait-casting reel : Feed the line through the small hole on the reel, called a line guide. Wrap the line around the reel two or three times then secure it with a knot. Turn the reel handle to load the line onto the reel.
    • If you have a spin-cast (close-faced) reel: Unscrew the cap on top of the reel. Pass the fishing line through the line guide and knot it onto the spool, then replace the cap and turn the reel handle to load the line.
    • If you have a fly-fishing set-up : Tie your backing line to the reel using an arbor knot. Fill the reel with 50–100 yd (150–300 ft) of backing line, then knot the fly line to the backing line .
    EXPERT TIP

    Kathy Sparrow, MA

    Fishing Instructor
    Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.
    Kathy Sparrow, MA
    Fishing Instructor

    Choose the right fishing line for the environment. Use saltwater line in warmer tropical waters, and freshwater line for cooler fresh water. If you’re not sure what type of line to use, check with a local fishing shop in your area and ask what works best for the area where you’ll be fishing.

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Section 2 of 5:

Threading Your Fishing Pole

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    If you’re using a spinning reel, flip open the bail on the reel to make it easier to pull off some of the fishing line. Pull out enough line to go all the way to the tip of the fishing pole, plus a little extra.
    • On spin-cast reels, push the button at the bottom of the reel to release the line. [3]
    • If your reel doesn’t have a bail, try loosening the drag (or tension on the line) by turning the small wheel or knob on the front of the reel.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    Most rods have four to five guides, or eyelets, attached to the rod. Starting at the eyelet closest to the reel, pass the line through the guides. Work your way up to the top of the rod. [4]
    • Fishing instructor Michael Reynolds recommends, “Always apply tension to the spool when you’re applying line onto a reel, regardless of the type of reel. And never fill it to the very edge of the spool—always leave about 1 ⁄ 16  in (0.16 cm) of space.”
    • Take your time and make sure the line goes through each guide—if you miss any, you’ll have to reel the line back in and start over.
    • Once the line is threaded through all of the guides, close the bail arm or tighten the drag.
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Section 3 of 5:

Attaching a Lure

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    After you’ve threaded the line onto your pole, pull out an extra 10 in (25 cm) or so of line. Pass the end of the line through the eyelet on the lure you want to use. [5]
    • Pull about 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) of line through the eyelet. You can trim off any excess, but it will be harder to tie the knot if you don’t have enough line to work with.
    • Beginner knot-tying tip: Since fishing line is so difficult to see, it is often recommend that you practice knot tying with string or shoelaces.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    Pull the free end of the line (also called the “tagline” or “tag”) back up so it’s doubled up with the rest of the line. Leave a small loop just above the eyelet—there needs to be enough of a gap for the line to pass back through there. Loosely wrap the tag around the other piece of line about 5 times. [6]
    • When you’re finished, the line should look twisted, similar to how a candy cane would have two colors wrapped around another.
    • Be sure to leave plenty of length on the tag. If it’s too short, undo the twist and start over.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    Pull the tag back towards the lure, then loop it through the little space you left next to the eyelet. Hold the tag and the main line firmly and pull the tag tight to secure the knot. [7]
    • To get the knot as snug as possible, moisten your fingertips with saliva and running the line over your finger before you pull the line tight.
    • Use nail clippers or scissors to clip off any excess line from the tag. But since the knot may snug down a little more, leave about 1 ⁄ 8 – 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.32–0.64 cm) instead of cutting it perfectly flush.
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Choose a Lure

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  1. Depending on the sun and cloud cover, you may want to pick a different lure. On sunny days, try using a silver lure. The silver will help reflect light and attracts attention. [8] Contrastingly, use a gold lure on a cloudy day. Gold has high reflective properties and will help give off light on an overcast or stormy day.
  2. Choose a lure that matches the fish’s natural food. Fishing instructor Kathy Sparrow recommends paying attention to what the fish are eating when you’re choosing a lure. If you pick something that looks tasty to the fish, you’re a lot more likely to catch one.
    • If you’re fishing in freshwater: A jig will work well in fresh water by using feathers and a metal head to attract fish.
    • If you’re fishing in saltwater: Sparrow recommends using a brightly-colored or patterned lure, or bait like fish, crabs, and shrimp.
    • If you’re fly-fishing: Sparrow says, “Pay attention to what insects are in the water at the time—that’s more than likely what the fish are eating, so you want your flies to mimic that.”
    • A spoon lure will work well for fish that prey on small fish. The spoon will wave back and forth to mimic the movement of a fleeing fish, attracting the bigger predators.
    • If you’re looking for an all-purpose lure, try a spinner. A spinner is a metal piece that will spin in the water as it moves. This attracts a lot of attention and should be used in a particularly difficult-to-catch location.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Set Up a Fishing Pole
    If your water is muddy or dirty, it will be harder for fish to see the lure. Use a lure that makes a lot of movement, such as a spinner or a spoon. [9] These lures create vibrations, so even if the fish cannot see the lure, they can feel it.
    • Comparatively, if the water is clear, an overwhelming amount of vibration and movement may scare off a fish.
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Section 5 of 5:

Licensing & Local Regulations

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  1. Have a valid fishing license and check local regulations so you know what’s legal to catch. Your state wildlife agency will have a website that includes up-to-date fishing regulations, like how many fish you can catch and what size they must be to keep them. They’ll also have the instructions for getting a fishing license in your state. Failing to follow local fishing laws can lead to fines and other penalties, so it’s important to do your research before you head out on a fishing trip. [10]
    • Sparrow says, “In many places, you can get a fishing license online—you can get it immediately and it’s digital, which makes it convenient.”
    • If your state doesn’t offer same-day online fishing licenses, you can usually buy them at a local sporting goods store or fishing shop.
    • You can find the website for your local wildlife agency by clicking on your state on this U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service map .

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My lure doesn't have the plastic thingy, what do I do?
    Adam McMullin
    Community Answer
    Not all lures do. These are called "shallow divers." You can get poppers and jig heads as well. Go out and find what works best for you.
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  • Question
    My fishing rod is not collapsing all the way, what do I do?
    Community Answer
    Telescoping fishing poles often build up dirt and grime from use; try cleaning and applying a lubricant. However, if the pole is new, check the warranty and either send it off to the manufacturer or get a refund/replacement from where you purchased the item.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    My reel does not have the string on the reel?
    614 Fishing
    Community Answer
    Buy a line and add it to the reel. You can find videos online which demonstrate how to add the line.
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      Tips

      • Take care when picking apart any messes on your rod. If you have a tangle, it may be wiser to simply snip the tangle and re-thread to avoid damaging the rod. [11]
        Thanks
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      • Keep nail clippers and pliers in your tackle box. Nail clippers are helpful for clipping line, and pliers will help you unhook a fish from your line.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Ask the folks at your local tackle shop, they are usually very happy to share advice about what line and lures your should be using based on the species of fish you are targeting, the weather, visibility, and body of water.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/NekWbzPbymU?t=44
      2. ↑ http://goneoutdoors.com/wind-fishing-line-onto-reel-6728302.html
      3. ↑ https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/gsfishing.pdf
      4. ↑ https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/gsfishing.pdf
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/D5QkyMO8dfA?t=6
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/D5QkyMO8dfA?t=24
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/D5QkyMO8dfA?t=58
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SamrdgVjpQk
      9. ↑ https://www.boats.com/on-the-water/10-tips-for-picking-the-best-fishing-lure/
      1. ↑ https://www.fws.gov/initiative/fishing/purchase-fishing-license
      2. ↑ http://survival-mastery.com/skills/scouting/how-to-string-a-fishing-pole.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      When you’re setting up a fishing pole, first attach all of the pieces of the rod together, then slide the reel into the notch near the bottom of the rod and rotate the reel seating to tighten it. Locate the silver overhead piece on the reel, called the bale arm, and flip it up, then pull on the edge of the fishing line to unravel it. As you pull the line, thread it through the eyelets on the rod, then flip the bale arm closed. Once the line is threaded, you can attach your lure or your hook and bait. To learn how to fasten a lure, keep reading!

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