Hi Kris,

What line have you bought? Is it mono or braid?

For spinning, depending on what size spinners or lures you're using, a heavier breaking strain line would probably be better.

Also braid is better for this type of fishing for three reasons I can think of.

• It does not suffer from line twist brought on by constant casting and retrieving.
• It is much thinner than monos of the same strength. You can have 50lb braid the same diameter as 10lb mono.
• It has no stretch which means you can feel the action of the lure better and any takes too.

Buying some strong braid may be another expense now but it'll save you money in lost lures in the future. Don't forget to use wire traces either or you'll lose a lot of pike where the line gets cut on their teeth.

To load braid on a reel put a backing of mono on first as this grips the spool better than braid, just enough to cover the bottom before winding on the braid.

Spooling article by Dave Chilton.

Kris. One glance tells you; mono is one strand of clear (or maybe coloured) nylon, braid looks more like woven thread. Anyway, you haven't bought braid, you've got mono.

 I go along entirely with what Paul says but you may not have the cash right now - braid isn't cheap. But you really must get some stronger line than 8lb if you're going to tackle pike.

Pike don't 'see' the line so going lighter won't get you more fish. Get a bulk spool of 12lb line - any reputable brand - and follow the instructions for tyin it to the spool. Then fill your spool to withing 5mm of the lip with it.

 The article Paul's pointed you to doesn't (as far as I can see) tell you how to tie the line to the spool; it's easy, just make a slip knot using your usual hook knot tied around the line, then tighten it on to the spool.

tie the line to the line clip using a grinner knot. then commence winding.

This stops you getting the bump you usually get from tying the knot straight onto the spool.

Yes, sorry, on review it doesn't really answer your initial question Kris.

Best advice I can give (if you're a beginner) and especially when fishing for pike - take or go with someone who knows what they're doing!

Pike are deceptively delicate fish and if you don't cut yourself on them you could easily kill or seriously injure one accidentaly.

If you're anywhere near Derby I'd be happy to go fishing for a day, it's about time I gave some of my newer lures a try.

The word 'spinning' was the one that fooled us, Kris. If you're spinning for pike, it's braid or 12lb mono. If you're spinning for perch, you'll probably catch some pike, so the answer is the same. Imagine hooking a 25lb pike on a Mepps and then losing it, and a load of line, Kris.

If you can take Paul up on his offer, do it. You'll learn more in one day from him than you will in a year on websites and looking at books.