Backing Questions

[Got1Fishing]

Hey guys, 

 

I read that it doesn't matter what backing you use for your FC as long as it's the same in diameter? This is my first time doing this, and I want to get it right. I'm going to purchase 12lb Tatsu for cranking purposes, and would like to know what you guys use for backing? Is it always mono? Should I only put enough FC (tatsu) to use, and fill the rest with the backing? I usually put the entire spool of FC on, but I'm in college so I want my Tatsu to last me as much as possible. I also was wondering if backing affects the casting in anyway?

[rockchalk06]

Some will say do some will also say don't. It boils down to your personal preference. I'm not in college and have a nice extra chunk of pay money every month and I can't affford to run a whole spool of it lol.

I try to match diameters. I always use mono. Mainly Berkley.

I put on 65-70 yards of fluoro braid or even quality hybrid/mono and back the rest with Berkley.

[doyle8218]

Since most spools hold over 100 yards of even 15lb line I don't see how it could effect your casting, unless you cast over 150 ft

[Brian Needham]

I use tatsu and I use 65 yards per reel so I get 3 reels of 1 spool.

 

 

I use 2 size of backings, 12# and 20# both come off a 1200 yard spool of BPS mono.

 

I use the 12# for my 10, 12 backings and 20# for 15, 20, 25 backings. Does it matter, I don't think so. I once used 20# for 10#tatsu on a core 50. 

 

I use the blood knot to join the two lines.

 

the point of backing is to use the cheapest stuff you can find........ cause lets face it, if a fish has gotten you to the joining knot you are screwed anyway, lol

[Got1Fishing]

Thanks for the ideas. So if I want to spool up my Chronarch 200E6 with 8lb Trilene Xl (.11) and 12lb Tatsu (.11) I should be ok? 

 

Thanks for the quick replies lol I mentally prefer to spool the entire thing, but there's no way I can afford it haha. #brokecollegeprobz

[Brian Needham]

should be perfect.

 

 

now as far as spooling up now:

 

since they are the exact diameter I would say use the 00mod method. His method is great when you have near or exact line diameters of both lines.

spool up your entire reel with the trilene........

1tie a heavy weight and

2 make the longest cast you can.

3. walk out to your casted weight. you have now doubled your cast length round to the nearest 10yd mark 

4. tie up your tatsu and spool up, knowing you have 2 cast lengths of top shot

 

or my way (takes two reels)

1 measure out tatsu amount you want to use

2 wind that on the spool

3 top off with cheap mono until reel is full

4 transfer to the reel you want to use, (mono is now on bottom, tatsu on top)

 

either method will work, beauty of either is you know exactly how much line you have on, so when you get low you strip off to the joining knot and spool up with new top shot, knowing exactly how much line you just used.

[Marty]

I use 50-60 yards of line to fish with and the rest is backing. Since I never get past the good line, it matters not what the backing is. Its only purpose for me is to occupy space and any line will do regardless of diameter.

[wnybassman]

I use cheapo OmniFlex in 15 pound from Walmart.  500 yards for like $1.99.    It just occupies space like Marty says, so I use a larger diameter to fill it up quicker.   How much depends on the technique the rod is for.  Flipping and pitching gets more backing and only 30-40 yards of flouro.  Something I make long casts with gets less backing and more flouro.

[Got1Fishing]

Thanks guys, you've been very helpful! Tatsu comes in on Monday; I can't wait to test this line.

[SirSnookalot]

I never use backing, to me it doesn't make any difference if the reel is low line capacity or takes 300 yds.  Do I add line, sometimes when I'm fishing for small fish, but I usually do a fresh respool.  Nothing wrong with backing, not being on a budget I don't care to use it.

[Got1Fishing]

Some will say do some will also say don't. It boils down to your personal preference. I'm not in college and have a nice extra chunk of pay money every month and I can't affford to run a whole spool of it lol.

I try to match diameters. I always use mono. Mainly Berkley.

I put on 65-70 yards of fluoro braid or even quality hybrid/mono and back the rest with Berkley.

 

rockchalk06 thanks for your help. I went with 12lb Seaguar Tatsu line and backed my reel with some cheap Berkley. I connected the lines with a alberto knot and after spooling it with the Tatsu, I can't even tell I have backing. I chose Tatsu after your small review on the forums and buddy this stuff is legit. I probably shouldn't have tried this line, cause I want all my reels to have Tatsu lol. I sprayed KVD L&L on the Tatsu after every couple of turns, let it sit overnight and then went to the yard to pitch a bit... there is no memory period. I've even casted it out and there is still no memory on this line. I can't wait to go out and fish this line with my St. Croix LTB to see how sensitive it is compared to the Invis-x I had spooled on there before. 

[OnthePotomac]

I just watched a video of a pro who has gone to using braid for backing.  He said the braid is lighter and therefore his spool speed is faster and his casts are longer.  He put it on really tight.

[rockchalk06]

No problem. I had to pull the 20# off my big rod as it was getting to much memory but 20# is pretty big. A week later I did the same with 12# and still have it spooled. It has a tad bit of memory, but nothing like I've experiencedin thee past with other fluoro's.

Try to find it on sale. It's usually 10 dollars or so off. Makes it not so bad when you use backing.

[JWOA]

i didnt even know u were suppose to back FC...are you??? I know braid your suppose to...and it makes since why you would in fluro carbon...but never have...I'll give it a try sometime

[rockchalk06]

i didnt even know u were suppose to back FC...are you??? I know braid your suppose to...and it makes since why you would in fluro carbon...but never have...I'll give it a try sometime

You don't have to by any means. It's just to save on cash.

[JWOA]

You don't have to by any means. It's just to save on cash.

 when you mean save on cash...like not putting all tht line on tht particular reel???

[rockchalk06]

when you mean save on cash...like not putting all tht line on tht particular reel???

Yes sir. If you put 65 yards on a reel and back it, you can get 3 spoolings per spool where as if you didn't back it, you would only get one with about 30-40 yards left. At 30 dollars a spool it makes it 10 bucks to spool a reel rather than 30. Those are approx costs.

[J Francho]

I use a small diameter line as backing.  Smaller connection knot.

[Got1Fishing]

I used almost the same diameter, but I can't tell a difference. Maybe it's because the line is better quality, but even with backing the Tatsu casts smoother than my other reels spooled with invisX and abrazX, and the reel is completely spooled with the same line. 

[MacP]

I only back my braid.  I've been completely lazy lately.  My two most used setups are backed with 12 lb mono to 50 lb braid and back to 12lb mono or FC.  (similar size lines using alberto knots at both ends)

 

Braid is more than $10 dollars per reel.

 

FC is $5-6 dollars per reel. 

 

Mono is $2.5 dollars per reel.

 

All of these are assuming 100 yards per reel.