this is why i like having a winder

[Bill B]

Maybe a little old fashioned, but I have been using 80lb dacron to fill the reel as necessary, threading either braid or mono into the dacron and a top shot if needed. Of course the spool gets a little grease and tape, but has worked for me.....but as stated above, to each his own......Bill

[boon]

What do you guys think of wet vs dry spooling of braid? I was spooling a SL30SH with 40lb Sufix in a length that should have fit no problem, ran out of room, spun it all back off and re-spooled it while running the braid through a damp cloth, got it all on there no worries.

[Rancanfish]

Hmm, never heard of that.  Alan would know the answer.

[Bryan Young]

It shouldn't make a difference. Quite possible that you applied a little more pressure to the braid packing it tighter.

[Tiddlerbasher]

It shouldn't make a difference. Quite possible that you applied a little more pressure to the braid packing it tighter.

x2

Aside from reducing friction in a manual setup it should make no difference 

[alantani]

Would've thought it would make a difference. 

[nelz]

Moist braid packs tighter because air gaps are squeezed out.

[Fish-aholic]

The only reason I see fit for soddening braid- or running braid through a sodden cloth (for manual winding), is to minimise friction upon bare flesh. Nothing more.

Tension really is chief as far as spooling braid is concerned. 

Steve