A device for the quick removal of spent fishing line from a fishing reel comprised of a cylindrical housing for a rechargeable battery and a high-speed motor is directly coupled to a threaded shaft capable of holding an empty spool that is held in place by a conventional fastening means. In use, a loose end of the spent fishing line on the fishing reel is fastened to an empty spool, the reel and the spool aligned, and the device activated. The spent line is unwound from the rod reel making it ready for replacement in a conventional manner. The compacted spent line can be kept to be re-used later or discarded.