Tracking line usage

Facing what I call oldtimers desease I'm trying to find a solution to the problem of keeping track of what line I have on which reel. Between the wife and I we have a dozen or so setups, of which some have spare spools with them. I'm finding it harder and harder to keep track of what line I've put on these. It used to be easy when all we used was 6 or 8# mono for spinning and 10# for baitcasters. Now with adding flouro and braids sometimes I forget what's what. So I'll ask the pros, what do you use or do to keep track of your line usage? So far I've tried starting a small data base on my computer listing the reels and what's on them. Thanks, bonz

nice link! those look like they would work very well on spinning gear. baitcasters uh?

saw these today when I was browsing... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bass_Minder_Line_Reminder_Stickers/descpage-BMLRS.html

As we are all getting old (older)or damn old we could go fancy and put a little bead on the thread to show #. different color bead for #.or just put beads for # test 2 beads=4# 3 = 6# 4 = 8# tie thread on then put beads on tag end and tie tag ends together and clip excess tag off or just put on thread We are getting more and more things to remember.LOL. Also some people use a rubber band tied on line as a bobber stop and the rubber band could be used for the knots and not have to remember bead color.

With old eyes to boot it may be easier to feel the knots than to see a mark. Come to think of it tying knots isn't getting any easier either!

knots might be hard to see in thin thread but would work

Another great idea Bobbyb, Suppose one could also just tie a simple overhand knot in the thread also instead of coloring.

bonz-dragon ALL YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IS COLOR FOR LINE Get in the sewing basket and get some different colored thread or fly tying thread take a needle and thread the line through the cork handle or tie around handle or pole somewhere. if tying around handle or pole mark # test before tying. For pound test use a sharpie and mark the line with pound test before tying Ex 4# would have 4 marks on thread 6#would have 6 marks COULD USE 1 MARK FOR EACH 2# TEST LESS MARKS easy to change when putting different line on. Just pull out or cut thread and put new one on and you are done. could also attach the thread color to your box of line USE LIGHT COLORS SO SHARPIE MARKS SHOW UP LINE THREAD COLOR EXAMPLE TRILENE = RED FIRE LINE = ORANGE PP = LT GREEN VA = LT BLUE FLOR = YELLOW

Normally I believe in the K.I.S.S. method but it's getting more complicated all the time. Just added 1 new reel and 1 new spare spool into the mix. So now there are 7 baitcasters, 10 spinning reels and 4 spare spools. Also over the last season and a half I've been trying different brands and types of line which right now I've 5 different types spooled in 6 different # tests and there are still a couple different brands I would like to try. The old stand by Trilene XL in 4 different lbs. test, Fireline in 3 different tests, PowerPro in 2 tests, Vanish in 2 and Floroclear in 2. Still looking to try some Suffix and 2 different lbs. test in Floroclear. So I hope you can see how it's getting difficult on an old brain. Keeping it on the computer is easier than a notebook so far.

I use the small dot stickers on the inside of the spool as well. No need to over-complicate it.

Put the little dot stickers on the INSIDE of the spool where it shouldn't get much water, or use a Silver Sharpie on Black spools and a Black Sharpie on metal spools. Don't over think it.

At 1st I tried writing the reel on the line box cover but that didn't work very well. Then thought about buying little dot stickers to put on the reels seat but then I didn't want to remove the reel every time either. So far I've gotten all reels into this database and which line is on it as best that I can remember so as I make changes I'm thinking of adding a new entry for the reel/spool as there is still room to add notes. Does this sound to complicated?

Not sure how to addapt this to this situation (but as a brainstorm, here goes): For ice fishing, I put a clasp at the end of the black tipup line. I then made up a bunch of leaders with various accessories (beads, blades, multiple hooks, etc). At the end that I tie a loop to attach to the clasp, I tie different color thread (so red thread is 20# test of brand X, green is 6# test of brand Y, blue is 10# of brand Z, etc). Makes it easier for selecting the right leader, but also track how well the various lines hold up. Again, not sure if this could be done some how on the spools, but has worked well for ice fishing. Labels are a good idea too, but any problems with the labels falling off?

I use a Brother label maker loaded with yellow tape & make small font labels for each spool including the dozen or so spares I carry. No way I could look at them & remember what's on 20 assorted rods plus another 8-10 spare spools. That way I can keep track of line type, #, & brand for comparison, or line failures.

Ive seen people use black sharpie right on the spool or a small sticker on the inside of the spool.