BigBear03...The best way to reel in winch cable is under load. If a cable is wound on loosely, it may bind up on itself as the tension increases when you use it next. That's when kinks and "birdnests" happen. What works for me is to unreel the cable completely leaving at least 5 wraps on the spool. You can either hook onto a heavy object, and pull it toward you, or hook onto in immoveable object and pull yourself toward it while holding the brakes slightly. As long as you steer directly towards the object you are hooked to, the cable will generally wind itself on neatly, and tightly.