Set Up Questions!

[Bryan Webster]

I just recently picked up an Abu Garcia Veritas 7' MH rod and an Abu Garcia Promax2 7.1:1, 8 ball bearing reel and I'm wondering what I should run on it. It holds 12lb mono 145 yd and 30lb braid 145 yd... I'm going to run 30 lb braid but which of the following should I do?

 

a. (x)lb mono backing and 30 lb braid (Don't know exact lengths of each)

b. 30lb braid only

c. 30 lb braid with a (x)lb mono leader (Don't know exact length of each)

d. 30 lb braid with a (x)lb fluorocarbon leader (Don't know exact length of each)

 

Much appreciated, thanks! 

[FD.]

Welcome to the forum.

 

30lb braid is a small diameter so use 15 - 20 lb mono for a backer.  If you are fishing crystal clear water then use a leader, if not, straight braid is the way to go.  I fish stained water and never use a leader.

[Bryan Webster]

Well mostly I will be fishing murky/stained waters so is the backing necessary or not? I don't really like to split up the line like that, leaving knots mid spool etc... So would it be okay to run 30lb braid with a 20 inch (x)lb leader? Or like you said, should I just go straight braid since the spool is a wiffle spool and can be tied instead of taped?

[jbsoonerfan]

Moving batis = no leader (cranks, spinners etc)

 

Slow moving baits = leader (drop shot, shakey head etc)

 

No scientific evidence to prove my theory, just personal belief.

[papajoe222]

You'll need to put something on the spool to keep the braid from spinning around on it.  If you want to go with straight braid, you can either tie it through the holes in the spool shaft, or attach it with a piece of electrical tape (the black stuff) running the tape accross the width of the spool.  The braid will dig into it on the first pass and won't spin on the shaft that way.  Don't be concerned about the line pulling off the spool as a fish would need to take out most of that 145yrds before you'd be in any trouble.

[G3Steve]

I've never heard of tying I the wiffle spool.

What I do is spool on 12lb mono, about 20 yards, then fill the rest up with braid.

Don't worry about the connecting knot. If your just fishing bass you'll never get spooled to the knot. Use a mono or fluoro leader, your choice. If fishing topwaters, use mono. 6' is perfect, just so the knot doesn't go into your reel. More for your thumb tban for the reel.

[rippin-lips]

Run a cheap mono backing first so you don't waste a whole spool of braid on one reel. A 150yd spool of braid let's me fill 3 reels. You can do 75/75 if you don't feel 50 is enough but for the reels I run braid on I'm not casting 50yds so it's fine. My other reels I use cheap mono backing first and then my fluoro. About 70-80yds worth. It's plenty for re ties and break offs.

[FD.]

Well mostly I will be fishing murky/stained waters so is the backing necessary or not? I don't really like to split up the line like that, leaving knots mid spool etc... So would it be okay to run 30lb braid with a 20 inch (x)lb leader? Or like you said, should I just go straight braid since the spool is a wiffle spool and can be tied instead of taped?

 

30 lb braid is about the equivalent of 8 lb mono so if you don't use a backer you will eat up a box of braid on one spool.  I normally put 12 lb big game as a backer for about 75 yds then a double uni knot to connect the mono to the braid, then no leader.

[BrettD]

30 lb braid is about the equivalent of 8 lb mono so if you don't use a backer you will eat up a box of braid on one spool.  I normally put 12 lb big game as a backer for about 75 yds then a double uni knot to connect the mono to the braid, then no leader.

Same here I fill about half the spool with mono then finish with the braid.

[Capt.Bob]

30 lb braid with a (x)lb fluorocarbon leader: I use about 10 wraps of mono on my spool and fill with Braid, ( I hate electrical tape as it is a pain to clean if you want it off) I don't waste anything because in a couple years after using the initial end I turn the line around by adding a little more line to the spool and using the end that has never been used, the joy of braid, no memory, now I am good for a couple more years!! This makes sure I always have plenty of line and never worry about being spooled and use a 6lb to 10lb  mono or fluoro leader always, my leaders run 6 to 12 foot and use a blood knot to join them, it is a little smaller than the double uni knot and stronger than the heavy braid, I match my line to the lb test needed for the application. The stronger than the heavier line is why I use the blood knot, it is my control to keep from ever loosing large amounts of braid in any water system.

 

What I mean by the blood knot being stronger than the heavy braid is, I fish a very fast rocky to boulder river bottom often, and when I do the reel I use has 14lbs test Fireline Chrystal on it, and I use 15 lbs test Berkley Big Game for leader, I have never lost any fireline in a breakoff, Last summer I went to fireline braid and power pro, I have had no problems in the lakes over the summer but we will see how this works in the very very hard on line (and equipment) boulder ridden whitewater!

 

But braid and leader with just enough backing to keep your braid anchored solid would be my suggestion.