I've got a pile of old Zebco reels that are cleaned and ready for line. It's been forever since I bought new line. What would be a good line and a good poundage to spool them with? Mainly gonna be for bluegills up to small (under two lb) bass. Maybe the occasional bullhead. These will be used to teach kids how to fish.

There are basically three kinds of fishing line in the world these days. When I was a kid, there was only one. The first kind is monofilament. It comes in various pound weights, colors and types. Its benefits are that its cheap, and readily available. It also has a high degree of stretch . . . which is both good and bad. Good because it is forgiving, bad from the standpoint that many anglers feel it doesn't provide the "feel" that other types of line do. The next type is braid. Just like the word says, its made of tiny braided threads of material. Usually it has more "feel" and almost no stretch. It's also less bulky than mono so 50lb test braid may be half the diameter or stiffness of 50 lb mono. Finally, there is fluorocarbon coated line. It generally sinks but its almost impossible to see on the water.

If I was catching small panfish and bass, I'd try some 4-6 lb mono (because kids tend to use a lot of it catching trees, each other, their pant legs, etc.) or maybe some floro. Good luck and have fun.

4 or 6 lb mono
never had an issue with Stren

8 lb. mono, I like Stren as well. 8 will run a lot better on those reels than 6lb or less and they have very poor drag systems so the added 2lb will really help if they accidently hook a bigger fish.

https://www.catfishconnection.com/Store/Details/STCBF08/FISHLNEM/FILSTREN/STREN-330YD-8-LB/

6# Trilene XL clear monofilament. Only line I use. I have landed a 24" rainbow on this line, as well as 5" panfish. Stren retains too much memory for me. I tried fluorocarbon and threw it away.

Zebco what? Assuming spin cast, 8 lb mono is perfect.

Normally Id say PowerPro in whatever lb test you need, but PowerPro on what i can only assume are push button Zebcos just doesn't seem right somehow.

8 pound mono, I am another vote for Stren

6lb mono. Trilene. Stren was made by DuPont. DuPont polluted the waters in Ohio years ago with some really bad stuff. I don't support them.

Mainly 202's, 404's and 33's. I had a couple old 808's but can't find'em.

Another vote for 8lb stren.

8lb Trilene or Stren would be a good choice.

Chris

for basic rods and kids 6# berkly XL a 330 yard spool will put 110 yards on 3 kids poles

I have tried the cheap eagle claw spools from walmart but they seem to have a lot more memory than the XL and doesn't cast as well

at about 6 dollars a spool for the 6# XL 2 dollars a rod

on a spinning rod I will put more on

or will use the 15 pound same diameter as 4 pound spider wire braided

but for kids or even adult closed face reels 6 pound xl is just fine.

Why not get the mono zebco makes 8# and way cheaper than stren or trylene
Braids on a narrow spool closed face spinning reel are a non starter.
If you look at the spool on a Mitchel 308 old v new. The new one is about twice as wide front to rear as the old one. Braided line is the reason for this modification.
Zebco Omniflex. @ Walmart $1.97/ 250 yards. The kids will never know the difference and that is what the reels come with new, probably 10#

Smoother casting and way less memory is why. First thing I'd do if I was to ever buy a spincast reel would be replace the line. My boy was casting a baitcaster and spinning reels at the age of 4 so I don't see me ever buying one of them.

I like to be able to throw 1/8 oz a good distance is why I use 6# Trilene.

On a spincast reel? I like it on a spinning reel.

Thanks fellers, I appreciate the help, you too Jayme.

Yup Trilene or Berkley. Dont go cheap on the line 4 bucks more for less stress and opening up the reels to unwrap line inside when it gets twisted is worth it.

My son never did use the closed face reels , just started him off on a spinning reel right away. letting go of the line isn't that hard , he only through one pole in the water

I wouldn't hesitate to do that again with other kids . I might use a tether on the pole either way