Braid On Spinning Reel Questions

[BuffaloBass716]

I just got a new 6930 Pflueger President reel and I want to use braid on it this year.  I have a few questions so bare with me...

 

I want to use #10 braid, what brand of braid would work well on this reel and should I spool it full of braid or have some mono backing?

 

I'll probably use a #6 or #8 fluoro leader.  What shouldn't I tie on with this set up? BTW this is my first time using braid at all so that is why I have all the questions, I don't want to spent money on something that won't work or do well with what I have because good line isn't cheap.

 

 Thanks for all your help!

[EvanT123]

Personally I'd go with power pro or sufix 832. They are both available at most retailers and both well tested and reviewed. There are lots of ways to put braid on a reel. One I heard here recently was to measure your arm span and pull out 75 yards of braid spool on reel with mono leader and then reverse it. I would recommend since this is your first experience with braid to spool up 50 yards of 6 lb mono and put the whole spool of braid on the reel. It won't cost more then 20 bucks and if you use a leader will last forever. There is no lure that I wouldn't tie on the end of a well tied leader.

[Alpha Male]

I have braid on a couple of spinning reels with braid. some NEED it some dont. I have spiderwire, powerpro, and my favorite is gamma torque. The length of backing will depend on the size of the reel. you dont need much backing though.

[michang5]

I'm looking to get a 6930 soon, so please post your thoughts on the reel.

As for the braid and backing, I've played with different ratios of backing to braid on my Okuma reel (which has a tiny bit larger spool than the 6930). Found that 1/3 backing to 2/3 braid wasted the braid. 1/2 and 1/2 was better, especially if your casting heavier lures that can really get some distance. But recently, I've been throwing more finesse baits that don't travel as far, so I've got 2/3 backing to 1/3 braid.

When I hurl my 5" senkos as far as I can, I've got about 25 yards of braid left on the spool. The rest is backing. And since I'm tying a 7' leader to my braid, one spool of PowerPro Super 8 Slick braid should last a really long time.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't use backing myself.  The line capacity specs are for a complete spool up to the top, recommendations for the most part is to leave at least an 1/8" from the lip, so you are really not using that much line, especially on a size 30 reel.  Whether a reel is braid ready or not, braid or mono line, spinning or conventional, I always put tape on the arbor. 

[BuffaloBass716]

Should I tie the backing on with a double uni knot as well?

 

And Michang5, from what I've heard on here, the 6930 President is the prefect size for bass fishing and everyone says it is one of the best reels for $60. I have to wait until spring to spool it up and buy a new rod for it though

[SirSnookalot]

I think the alberto works well to connect backing plus it's pretty thin knot too.  It's as strong as about anything I can think of and if bass fishing a good chance the knot will not be exposed.

[BassinLou]

I use the alberto knot for both backing and leader. When I used spinners i used 20lb PP braid with a minimum of 10lb leader if I went that route. 

[MCS]

I run a 35 and a 40 size spinning reel and with 30# braid (equal to 8# mono) I can get 200 yds on the 40. If your using 10# braid for $ sake I would use mono backing. For bass I use backing, if you fill it half way with backing and set drag properly you will never get close to the mono but for salt I follow what snook said and spool all braid. I use uni to uni to connect backing.

[Darren.]

Brand of braid is up to you. Plenty of great choices, and plenty of highly opinionated responses ahead...LOL.

 

I personally use Power Pro in 10 lb test which is the equivalent of 2 lb test mono in diameter. Many other brands' 10 lb braid is more like 4 lb test diameter mono. That's just an FYI.

 

PP has served me extremely well and I tie leaders from 6-15lb test. Never a problem. I've used other brands of braid and kept coming back to Power Pro, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for you.

 

But braid is expensive to experiment with. In fact, one of my spinning reels still has 10 lb Berkley Fireline in the bright yellow on it. Been on there for 2 years and works great, though when it is time, I'll replace it with PP, probably.

 

I do use backing, and will use the Albright/Alberto or a uni-to-uni. The Albright has a much thinner profile, better for backing, IMO. Backing simply lets you use less braid and keep it for either a future refill, or to line another reel.

 

Braid-to-leader, same as backing-to-braid. Either or. Both work very well, uni-to-uni is easier to tie, IMO, but I like both. Hit Youtube, or the myriad of knot sites for videos on tying the lines and just practice, practice, practice. Your confidence in knot-tying will increase the more you practice.

[Preytorien]

I've got Power Pro Super 8 Slick on my spinning reel and that thing casts like a rocket, has virtually no line twist, and is strong for the diameter.

 

I have 15lb test which I think is equivalent to 4lb.

 

I have used 832 and regular PP on my spinning reel.....this is in my opinion, the best by far

[MCS]

Should I tie the backing on with a double uni knot as well?

And Michang5, from what I've heard on here, the 6930 President is the prefect size for bass fishing and everyone says it is one of the best reels for $60. I have to wait until spring to spool it up and buy a new rod for it though

They are great reels I own 3 different models of pflueger spinning reels, one is a president. You will be very happy with it and have it for years to come if you don't abuse it.

[Marty]

 

Should I tie the backing on with a double uni knot as well?

 

I don't think it matters. If the line gets down to the backing, that means that some monster is taking you for a ride and that thing's gonna pop regardless of knot.

 

I have a President 6935 in addition to some similar size Daiwas and my practice on backing has always been to use cheap mono as backing and leave enough room for 50-60 yards of braid or whatever other kind of line I might be using. Sixty yards will get me five spoolings from a 300-yard spool.

[Jolly Green]

I've only ever used Power Pro and have no complaints.  The first time I tried it I spooled up with all braid, but as it got used up (mostly from having to cut off sections due to wind knots) I realized that I could replace all of it or start backing it. I use 12# Berkley Big Game for backing because it was like $5 for about 100 miles of it, tied with an Alberto knot. If there is one thing I wish someone had told me about braid, it's that lures that promote line twist coupled with a tendency to throw too hard sometimes will lead to wind knots that you won't always be able to undo.  Use a swivel for twist-prone lures and easy does it, 10# PP should cast pretty effortlessly.

[SirSnookalot]

I've only ever used Power Pro and have no complaints.  The first time I tried it I spooled up with all braid, but as it got used up (mostly from having to cut off sections due to wind knots) I realized that I could replace all of it or start backing it. I use 12# Berkley Big Game for backing because it was like $5 for about 100 miles of it, tied with an Alberto knot. If there is one thing I wish someone had told me about braid, it's that lures that promote line twist coupled with a tendency to throw too hard sometimes will lead to wind knots that you won't always be able to undo.  Use a swivel for twist-prone lures and easy does it, 10# PP should cast pretty effortlessly.

Couldn't agree more.  Easy does it with long flowing casts especially for lighter lures.  When I snap it without thinking, that's when the problems occur. 

[BuffaloBass716]

Good to know

[RandySBreth]

This may not be the best way to do backing but it's easy and inexpensive. Go get some of the super cheap mono line they have ay Wally World in 8-pound test and fill your reel spool up where you normally would, then go outside somewhere where you can tie the line to a fence or tree or your side mirror of your car - whatever. Now with the bail open walk back to where you are farther than the farthest cast you would ever make, then go another 15 or 20 feet more. Cut the mono off right there (and please dispose of it properly) and tie your braid on. I like back to back uni for the backing/mainline knot.

[Marty]

 

This may not be the best way to do backing but it's easy and inexpensive. Go get some of the super cheap mono line they have ay Wally World in 8-pound test and fill your reel spool up where you normally would, then go outside somewhere where you can tie the line to a fence or tree or your side mirror of your car - whatever. Now with the bail open walk back to where you are farther than the farthest cast you would ever make, then go another 15 or 20 feet more. Cut the mono off right there (and please dispose of it properly) and tie your braid on. I like back to back uni for the backing/mainline knot.

 

That's basically what I've been doing for years, but without the tree or fence because I've gotten to know my reels well and can eyeball the procedure.