Using Braid As A Backing ?

[EdRitchie]

I watched a video on *** about using braid line as a backing. Was wondering if anyone has tried this and how much more distance did you get out of it. They used braid for backing fluorocarbon line . I have used mono for backing putting braid on as a main line but never heard of using braid for backing.

Thank you

Ed

[doyle8218]

I watched a video on another site about using braid line as a backing. Was wondering if anyone has tried this and how much more distance did you get out of it. They used braid for backing fluorocarbon line . I have used mono for backing putting braid on as a main line but never heard of using braid for backing.

Thank you

Ed

How many yards of backing and how many of floro?

[Jolly Green]

I don't know why you would do this nor why you would achieve greater casting distance by doing so.  If I had a spool's worth that was too old and beat up to keep fishing, I suppose I might use it for backing, but I can't feature wasting perfectly good braid for such a purpose. Is this video something you can link to?

[WRB]

Braid is lighter weight than mono or FC, spool weight affect casting distance. Novel way to reduce spool weight.

Tom

[Jolly Green]

Thanks! That makes sense now.

[new2BC4bass]

How is he determining how much was gained by the braid?  Did he cast both on dry land and take measurements?  Or is he throwing at a target on the water, and saying, "Yup, that one went 12.5 feet further today with braid backing than it did yesterday with mono backing."? 

 

Is the VERY little weight savings going to be enough for us Average Joes to notice a difference in our casting distance?  I feel certain distance of my casts could vary 10 feet from cast to cast.

[EdRitchie]

I was thinking another way as far as weight. More weight may increase distance heavy being able to spin and keep its momentum longer during the cast . I m not going to say he's wrong , he is a professional fisherman when I'm just a welder

[new2BC4bass]

I was thinking another way as far as weight. More weight may increase distance heavy being able to spin and keep its momentum longer during the cast . I m not going to say he's wrong , he is a professional fisherman when I'm just a welder

 

 

I have a Trion that had light braid spooled on it when received.  Trying to cast a weightless worm with it was a lesson in frustration.  I could only cast it lefthanded (I'm right handed), or else it backlashed almost every single cast.  (I have better feathering ability with my left thumb.)  Rod was a Compre 7'MF.   Anyway it was suggested that I spool on heavier line, and use heavier lures.  (Sorry, Dodgeguy!  I'm not as good as you.  )

 

I was told the heavier spool would allow it to be a good long distance caster.  I spooled on heavier line, mounted it on a Heavy Fast rod, and tied on a 5/8 oz. lure...which obviously is towards the low end of the rod's rating.  This thing casts like a champ now with no backlashing.  Distance is very good.

 

I have at least 4 reels with light spools.  All were purchased with the idea of using them for lighter lures.  Yes, they cast a heavier lure just fine.  Further than my Zillion?  I don't think so, but have never attempted to make such a test.  More than likely I never will since I fish for pleasure, not money.  Such a test sounds more like work than fun to me.  Plus a waste of money I would rather spend on more lures.

 

I have thrown a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait on a Zillion and 12# mono far enough that I'm not sure I could have set the hook given my not so spectacular hook set swing. 

[Deleted account]

How did the guys that came in 1st spool up?...

[Jolly Green]

I was thinking another way as far as weight. More weight may increase distance heavy being able to spin and keep its momentum longer during the cast .

A lighter spool starts more easily, less inertia to overcome.  Also, once it's spinning you don't want the momentum of the spool feeding line faster than your lure is carrying it off or you wind up with backlash. At least, that's my understanding. 

[WRB]

Aaron is extremely detailed in his presentation techniques, if he says he is casting further with braid as a filler, he is! Light weight spools cast further, everything being equal, it's the law of physics inertia, spool start faster and slows down without over running the line. If you are worried about the backing getting loose, cover the backing braid with a wrap of Teflon plumbers tape.

Tom

PS, Aaron just won AOY for B.A.S.S. Elites.

[new2BC4bass]

.......spool start faster and slows down without over running the line.

 

Tom, I can agree with the first part of your statement, but not the last.  You obviously never witnessed me learning to use my Alphas ito 103 Ai.    Believe me...it is easy to overrun the line on a light spool.    I've even done it on my TD-Z 103HL Type R.  Admittedly I was usually trying to throw a light lure when the overruns occurred.

 

On a happier note...I did much better this year with what is probably my lightest spool...a Presso.  Experience does help a bit. 

[SirSnookalot]

Braid backing is not uncommon in saltwater, better know as topshotting.

http://www.georgepoveromo.com/content.php?pid=60

I don't see the point for using a top shot for bass fishing.

[CTGalloway21]

Braid backing is not uncommon in saltwater, better know as topshotting.

http://www.georgepoveromo.com/content.php?pid=60

I don't see the point for using a top shot for bass fishing.

 

here is why you do this

 

1. by using braid backing, you don't have to use as much main line- thus saving you line and money.

2. braid lasts a long time so when you change line, you only have to change the first 80 or so yards

3. cast further

[new2BC4bass]

here is why you do this

 

1. by using braid backing, you don't have to use as much main line- thus saving you line and money.

2. braid lasts a long time so when you change line, you only have to change the first 80 or so yards

3. cast further

1.  I do the same thing with cheap mono, but save more than you. 

2. Mono as backing lasts a long time as well.

3. Couldn't say.

[J Francho]

Why use expensive PE braid?  Why not something inexpensive, like fly reel backing?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The inertia carried by a heavier spool will make it want to spin longer and in theory cast a little further. A lighter spool starts easier making casting light baits easier. It seems that the weight difference between different backings would be minimal and so would the effect of changing them. On top of this, max casting distance is a distant second to accuracy when it comes to fish in the boat. There's nothing wrong with experimenting and going with what you feel works for you though. 

[new2BC4bass]

The inertia carried by a heavier spool will make it want to spin longer and in theory cast a little further. A lighter spool starts easier making casting light baits easier. It seems that the weight difference between different backings would be minimal and so would the effect of changing them. On top of this, max casting distance is a distant second to accuracy when it comes to fish in the boat. There's nothing wrong with experimenting and going with what you feel works for you though. 

Thanks for checking in, Mike.

[CTGalloway21]

If you buy one spool of Power Pro at $12 at Wal Mart and put it on as backing, that will be cheaper than wasting an extra 100 yards of mono every time you change.  I change line about 4 times a year.  Power Pro could also last multiple season so overall it would be cheaper

[new2BC4bass]

If you buy one spool of Power Pro at $12 at Wal Mart and put it on as backing, that will be cheaper than wasting an extra 100 yards of mono every time you change.  I change line about 4 times a year.  Power Pro could also last multiple season so overall it would be cheaper

Why do you replace the mono backing every year?  Switched ends with the braid on my STX this year due to line twist from fishing a spoon for several hours...tied direct.  Have mono backing.  Cut mono at knot.  Laid braid out on the yard in hopes some of the twist might get removed while putting the braid back on the reel.  This is the 5th year the reel has been used.  Mono backing has a ton of memory, but that doesn't bother me since I have never got into the backing while fishing.

[CTGalloway21]

Why do you replace the mono backing every year?  Switched ends with the braid on my STX this year due to line twist from fishing a spoon for several hours...tied direct.  Have mono backing.  Cut mono at knot.  Laid braid out on the yard in hopes some of the twist might get removed while putting the braid back on the reel.  This is the 5th year the reel has been used.  Mono backing has a ton of memory, but that doesn't bother me since I have never got into the backing while fishing.

We are talking about using braid as backing.  opposite what you are thinking.  

[craww]

Why would you be changing the mono out everytime? Its not being exposed to UV or anything harmful. Nylon backing will a last several seasons for a bass fisherman. I've had cajun red under braid on a few reels for years.

Unless you were absolutely tryin to lighten the spool as much as possible, using braid as backing doesn't benifit a bass fisherman any.

[J Francho]

If you buy one spool of Power Pro at $12 at Wal Mart and put it on as backing, that will be cheaper than wasting an extra 100 yards of mono every time you change.  I change line about 4 times a year.  Power Pro could also last multiple season so overall it would be cheaper

 

I have had the same mono backing on a few reels for more than five years.  If you never get into the backer, why would you need to change it?

[CTGalloway21]

talking about using braid backing with mono on top vs straight mono.  You would save yourself 100 yards of mono every time.  

[Raul]

Well, I would use braid as backing only if I were to purchase cheap Dacron braided line to do so, otherwise why would I use a lot more expensive superline as backing ? besides, braided line needs nylon backing for starters.