Tom Rowland | How to Spool a Daiwa Certate 4000 Spinning Reel | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 350

Tom Rowland, professional fishing guide based in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, unboxes and spools the Daiwa Certate 4000 spinning reel in this How 2 Tuesday episode. This high-end reel is his choice for permit fishing, and Tom walks through every step from opening the case to putting 175 yards of 20 pound braided line on the spool. You'll learn why he starts with monofilament backing instead of tying directly to the spool, how to tie a proper double uni knot connection, and what makes a line winder worth using even when you could spool it yourself for free. If you've ever wondered whether the tackle shop's $5 spooling fee is worth it, or if you're planning to spool your own high-end reels at home, this episode shows you exactly what to do.

Why the Daiwa Certate 4000 is Tom's Permit Reel Choice

The Certate sits at the high end of Daiwa's spinning reel lineup, and Tom explains exactly why he chooses it for permit fishing. Permit fight incredibly hard, and the high salt environment of the Florida Keys demands equipment that can take serious punishment. The Certate 4000 comes in a premium carry case with the handle separate, and one feature stands out immediately: the automatic bail. While many high-end reels force you to manually close the bail, this one still has automatic closure when you turn the handle, making it perfect for anglers who don't know spin fishing well. Tom still closes it manually for perfect control, but that automatic feature means he can hand this reel to anyone. Tom's full unboxing and first impressions start at 00:01:48.

The Monofilament Backing Strategy for Reels Without Rubber Gaskets

Here's a problem many anglers have encountered: you spool 300 yards of braided line directly onto a smooth aluminum spool, then discover you can rotate all that line around the spool because braid is so slippery. Reel manufacturers started adding rubber gaskets to the spool for grip, but the Certate 4000 doesn't have one. Tom's solution is to start with monofilament backing. He ties it directly to the spool with a uni knot, creating an anchor point that grips the smooth aluminum. The key detail? Use bright chartreuse, orange, or pink monofilament so you can see it if it ever appears during a fight. If you see that bright backing coming off your reel, you know you're about to hear a pop. The backing technique and color choice explanation starts at 00:04:10.

The Double Uni Knot Connection That Holds Everything Together

After spooling a small amount of monofilament backing, Tom connects the braided main line with a double uni knot. He demonstrates the exact technique: loop the braid over itself, wrap six times around, pull the tag end to cinch it down to the line, then repeat the same process on the monofilament side. The two knots cinch together when you pull hard on both lines. Tom emphasizes pulling really hard to seat the knot properly before trimming. This connection is critical because it joins your slippery braid to the grippy mono backing. The whole process takes less than a minute once you know the steps, but doing it correctly means the difference between a secure spool and one that slips under pressure. Tom ties and explains the double uni knot at 00:07:55.

Line Winder vs. Home Spooling: Why the Tackle Shop Method Matters

Tom acknowledges that very few people have a line winder at home, which raises the question: why pay the tackle shop five dollars to spool your reel when you could do it yourself for free? He uses a line winder for this demonstration to show exactly what that machine does and why it creates a superior result. The line winder holds the spool with adjustable tension, and a special tool makes the line lay back and forth across the reel spool evenly. Tom operates it with a foot pedal to control speed, and the counter shows exactly how many yards go on. The result: 175 yards of 20 pound braid spooled perfectly with proper tension and even distribution. He also reveals his philosophy on fill level—keeping it below the spool rim reduces knots, even though many anglers fill their reels higher. The line winder demonstration and why it matters starts at 00:03:26.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This is one of those episodes where I wanted to show you exactly what I do when I'm setting up my own reels for serious fishing. The Certate 4000 is a beautiful piece of equipment, and it deserves to be spooled correctly. Too many people have lost fish because their line slipped on the spool or their knot failed under pressure.

The monofilament backing trick is something I learned after watching anglers struggle with braid spinning on smooth spools. That bright backing color has saved me more than once by giving me a visual warning that I'm down to the last few yards. And the double uni knot—once you practice it a few times, you can tie it in your sleep.

Whether you have access to a line winder or you're spooling at home, understanding these principles will help you set up your reels the right way. This is foundational stuff that makes the difference between losing the fish of a lifetime and landing it. Watch the whole thing, practice these knots, and get your reels ready for serious fishing.