Backing - Does It Matter What Line?

[Felix77]

I just saw a video with Aaron Martens who says you can gain casting distance just by having a braid backing versus anything else.  This isn't a Fluoro leader on Braid but spooling up 150 yards of FC on top of a braid backing just to make sure you understand my question.

 

Has anyone done this and compared the two?

[RandySBreth]

On a casting reel it would the spool lighter and maybe that would work - haven't tried it though. For long casts I go spinning.

[A-Jay]

Never heard that one.

 

I've always used an economically friendly mono as backing for everything.

 

There's plenty of "could be used as backing" braid lying around the hobby shop.

 

I'll try it - what's the worst thing that can happen ?

 

A-Jay

[CTGalloway21]

I used cheap mono as backing for my fluoro mainly to cut down on the costs of the Flouro.  it works great.  I don't need much more casting distance.

[deaknh03]

I go cheapest possible. What advantage does having braid give to cast farther? Im not seeing the logic, yet.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I go cheapest possible. What advantage does having braid give to cast farther? Im not seeing the logic, yet.

If I'm understanding it right, braid is lighter than mono or flouro, so if you use it as a backing for flouro, the spool is lighter which may help you cast farther, and save money on flouro.

[deaknh03]

If I'm understanding it right, braid is lighter than mono or flouro, so if you use it as a backing for flouro, the spool is lighter which may help you cast farther, and save money on flouro.

Makes sense.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Never heard that one.

 

I've always used an economically friendly mono as backing for everything.

 

There's plenty of "could be used as backing" braid lying around the hobby shop.

 

I'll try it - what's the worst thing that can happen ?

 

A-Jay

+1.

I have always done this, and it works great. The difference between mono and braid for backing is small, but if you see a bin full of old line, pull some braid out because it a bit lighter.

[Jon G]

personally i just use a cheap mono backing for all lines especially braid and fc due to them being expencive and to me just using a mono backing is easier than mono then braid and then your fluro.

[flyfisher]

do we even know that braid weighs less?  i haven't been able to find any data on that aspect of any type of line.  I also would question if the difference is enough to even make a difference.

 

I bought a huge spool of the cheapest mono i could find when i was in wally world once and i still have it and use that for any backing needs.

[A-Jay]

If you're an angler who fishes in a multi-species environment - Do Not use an over hand knot to connect your backing.

 

If & when your get a big trout, salmon, pike or musky on, that over hand knot will cause some serious duress during your attempt to land that fish.

 

Meaning you'll break that fish off every time.

 

A-Jay

[Goose52]

If you're an angler who fishes in a multi-species environment - Do Not use an over hand knot to connect your backing.

 

If & when your get a big trout, salmon, pike or musky on, that over hand knot will cause some serious duress during your attempt to land that fish.

 

Meaning you'll break that fish off every time.

 

A-Jay

 

A BIG X2.  I occasionally snag/foul hook huge grass carp when tossing lipless cranks.  One time, with a 40-50 pound carp on the line, and pulling drag at will, I watched my uni-uni knot between my main-line and my backing run outward through the guides and go for a swim in the lake.  Another 10-15 yards of backing line followed the knot into the water as well. 80 yards of main-line in the water and another 10-15 yards of backing.  The fish hung up and broke me off on submerged cover but the backing knot held.  I WAS wondering how old my mono backing was at that point though .  I keep meaning to save some old braid to use for backing on that reel as a result of that event...

[Felix77]

I use cheap mono like the most of you.

Of course I have to try it though. Lol

[Chris at Tech]

I use cheap line mono, but not crappy mono for backing.

I picked up a spool of 900 yards of 12 lb Big Game for ~$8 so I'll get a lot of backing out of that spool. And if I find myself in a situation where I'm close to or in the backing, I still have confidence that the backing won't fail.

[A-Jay]

I use cheap line mono, but not crappy mono for backing.

I picked up a spool of 900 yards of 12 lb Big Game for ~$8 so I'll get a lot of backing out of that spool. And if I find myself in a situation where I'm close to or in the backing, I still have confidence that the backing won't fail.

 

 

Yup ~

 

I snagged a spool of like 22 Kazillion yards of Stren High Impact off e-bay for like six bucks.

 

I'm good.

 

A-Jay

[SirSnookalot]

If you're an angler who fishes in a multi-species environment - Do Not use an over hand knot to connect your backing.

 

If & when your get a big trout, salmon, pike or musky on, that over hand knot will cause some serious duress during your attempt to land that fish.

 

Meaning you'll break that fish off every time.

 

A-Jay

I load up with straight braid on my initial spool up, whether I'm fish bass or inshore species I use up a lot of line, it just doesn't last where I fish.  I do add new braid to the existing braid that's already spooled, in essence it's backing.  I have found nothing works better for me than an alberto knot for joining the lines.  For the most part the knot doesn't come into play, how often does a fish run 50 yds, that's 150 feet and that's long way.  But there are times when does happen with certain species that can really turn on the jets in excess of 30 mph, the alberto does quite well then.

[bighed]

I'm just trying this now after seeing the vid a few weeks ago.  It seems that casting distance is only slightly improved.  I do like the idea that I'm only using 30 yards of fluoro instead of 90 to fill the reel.  The savings in fluoro should pay for the braid pretty quick and the braid should last as long as you want to keep it on there. 

[Felix77]

I use cheap line mono, but not crappy mono for backing.

I picked up a spool of 900 yards of 12 lb Big Game for ~$8 so I'll get a lot of backing out of that spool. And if I find myself in a situation where I'm close to or in the backing, I still have confidence that the backing won't fail.

x2.  This is the exact same thing I use.

[mjseverson24]

I would not think that the casting performance would increase very much by switching from mono to braid, both lines have a density less than water, so the mass to get to a 1/3 or 1/2 spool should be relatively comparable(though I would bet braid is less dense), The only performance enhancement I can see is braid takes much longer to break down and loose its strength, mono when wet, cold, direct sun... not so good, so maybe braid if you tie a proper knot, braid would be a more reliable backing than mono... maybe...

 

Mitch 

[Bankbeater]

I use cheap mono. I don't get the weight issue. How much lighter can braid be over mono?

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The difference between using braid and mono is almost not noticeable.. Just a confidence thing I guess.

[Jolly Green]

Another similar discussion from a short while back:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126984-using-braid-as-a-backing/?hl=%2Bbacking+%2Bwith+%2Bbraid