I never hard secure the wire to the spool. If I run into trouble, I would rather the wire come off the spool than rip the DR off the gunwhale.

When I respool, I disconnect the counter. 400 feet is going to foul (throw off) the counter. Then run the [new wire] spool through a dowel and go to town.

Smart choice to go with 400 feet! A lot of folk don't like that much, but can save the day when you have a kink or fray 100 feet into the wire! Plus there are a few spots on the Sound where I commonly dredge 250-280 feet for Blackies.

Save the old wire for running lines between the ball and flashers... if you prefer to run the flasher off the ball! Or you can make some gang trolls to run off the ball too!
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"If you are not scratchin bottom, you ain't fishing deep enough!" -DR

Puget Sound Anglers, Gig Harbor Chapter