Backing Question

[bkohlman]

Does the size of mono backing matter when spooling on braid or flouro?

[rockchalk06]

Does the size of mono backing matter when spooling on braid or flouro?

Not completely. If you can guestimate how much main line you are putting on and be sure of it, just fill the spool with backing until you have what you need.

 

Personally, I use the same diameter. I fill the spool with mono then strip off 65-70 yards. Cut, tie my mainline on and fill it up. Gives me as close to 65-70 yards that I can get.

[Arv]

I usually use 10# mono. I don't know why I started, but its never given me trouble.

[rippin-lips]

Does the size of mono backing matter when spooling on braid or flouro?

The larger the diameter mono, the less backing it takes to fill the spool. Like mentioned I try to match the line diameters when I do it. Usually #12 or #10 mono will match up with #50 braid and #12-16 fluorocarbon. I've done it enough that I basically know where to stop on the spool to give me 70 yards of good line. If you are new to this then fill it to about 1/8" from the lip. Tie on a 1/2oz trap and go bomb a cast somewhere in you yard or a field. Mark your spot where you casted from. Walk up and get your lure and then walk it back spooling line out. Then just pull off a few arms lengths and tie on your good line. You'll have enough to get you through the season unless you waste a lot on reties or get a bad backlash.

[SirSnookalot]

Using the same diameter backing as the mainline will probably tie a slimmer knot.  I do not use backing, don't like the knot buried in the spool.  If I'm investing several hundred dollars in a rod and reel I'm going to spend a few extra dollars and go straight braid.  On occasion I will add braid if needed but usually it's a total new respool. 

[Marty]

As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter. I'm fishing with the good line which never goes out far enough to get down to the backing, so it doesn't matter what's under there. I've used cheap line that costs $2 for 600 yards or something laying around the house that I don't use.

 

 

 I do not use backing, don't like the knot buried in the spool.

 

I used to not like that knot either because it migrated outward, but I solved that problem by putting a small piece of blue painter's tape over it.

[MacP]

For the sake of easiness and being able to buy the same stuff all the time, I use 12 LB mono as backing on all my BCs.  Then 12 fluoro on my topwater/shallow cranks/squarebills. 

 

12 LB Berkley Trilene is similar diameter to the 50LB Power Pro I use.

 

12 LB Mono to 50 LB Braid to 12 Mono = Topwater/Squarebills/Buzzbaits/weightless Flukes

12 LB Mono to 50 LB Braid to 17 LB Fluoro = Cranks/Jigs/Spinners/Chatters/T-Rigs

 

Spin reels get 8 lb fluoro for drop shotting.

 

I only have to mess with 4 different lines spools of line.  It works for me.  If anyone is interested, I use 12 LB Berkley Trilene Mono, 50 Lb Power Pro Braid, 17 Seaguar Red Label Fluoro.

[KDW96]

I will usually use my service spools of 6or8 pd line. The spools were new and cheap from a tackle shop that was closing. I apply good tension,the smaller line lays well and packs tight. After im done,i put blue electrical tape around the line. Makes it nice,smooth and permenate. All my reels,spinning and baitcasters get it.

[OnthePotomac]

I also use 10# for my backing and place a piece of white electrical tape over the end, then another tiny piece of tape to hold down the end of my good line.  No knots in the way on the spool.

[Pa Angler]

I use 14lb mono for 20lb and 30lb braid I have never had my main line pulled to the backing as I only use enough backing to cover the spool to the point I don't see the bottom of spool anymore..

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[wnybassman]

I use cheap Omni Flex 15 pound as backing for everything on casting reels.   I figure using the heavier line I use less of it to fill the same space.   The knot has never been an issue for me.     For spinning reels I usually put on a full fresh spool of whatever is going on the spool in the spring, then as the year wears on I strip off about half and refill from there.   There has been years I'd fill up in the early spring and use that same line until I strip it off in the late fall, and you don't even want to know what kind of line that was.   lol

[Pa Angler]

Oh, I failed to mention in my previous post I only use spinning gear.

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[SirSnookalot]

I use nothing but spinning gear myself, I don't feel bass sized reels hold enough line to worry about the need for backing.  Using a leader helps to cut down on using up too much braid and it can always be turned over, that's like a brand new respool.

[Pa Angler]

I use nothing but spinning gear myself, I don't feel bass sized reels hold enough line to worry about the need for backing.  Using a leader helps to cut down on using up too much braid and it can always be turned over, that's like a brand new respool.

 

The reason I use backing is I have found without it braid will spin on the spool the backing gives braid something to bite into.

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[new2BC4bass]

The reason I use backing is I have found without it braid will spin on the spool the backing gives braid something to bite into.

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

 

True, but many of the new reels have spools modified to accept braid with no backing needed.  I always use backing with braid regardless as it is much cheaper to put down mono first.  I can't recall ever getting into the mono.  I eyeball how much spool lip is left for the braid.  Pretty scientific considering the quality of my eye. 

 

I know not everyone uses backing.  I also realize that the amount of braid saved isn't a lot considering the price of the rod and reel, but it is enough for me to buy a lure or two...depending on lure's price. 

[SirSnookalot]

The reason I use backing is I have found without it braid will spin on the spool the backing gives braid something to bite into.

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

I put tape on the spool even if it's a braid ready reel, no slip problem.

[Pa Angler]

True, but many of the new reels have spools modified to accept braid with no backing needed.  I always use backing with braid regardless as it is much cheaper to put down mono first.  I can't recall ever getting into the mono.  I eyeball how much spool lip is left for the braid.  Pretty scientific considering the quality of my eye. 

 

I know not everyone uses backing.  I also realize that the amount of braid saved isn't a lot considering the price of the rod and reel, but it is enough for me to buy a lure or two...depending on lure's price. 

 

I know about the braid ready spools however my spools aren't those kind I still have to use backing to prevent slip I'm not going to buy spools for 12 reels even if they are available  the backing is already there if I need to respool with braid. The backing I use isn't to save on braid but to prevent obvious line slip. 

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Pa Angler]

I put tape on the spool even if it's a braid ready reel, no slip problem.

 

I tried the tape deal it didn't work as well as mono backing as the tape would lose it's grip over time.

 

Tight Lines

Pa Angler