What Lb. Backing For 20 Lb Power Pro?

[The Fisher]

I'm setting up a spinning reel with 20 lb. Power Pro braid. Does it make difference what lb. mono backing I use? If so, what lb. do you recommend?

[flyfisher]

I think you mean you match up the diameter not the lb test....20lb test on a spinning reel would be huge and create all kinds of problems in my opinion.  For my spinning reels I use 6lb or 8lb depending what i have laying around.

[Fishinthefish]

I usually use 15lb. If it's just backing its never going to really matter because you shouldn't be getting spooled with 20lb braid. I use it for 25-30lb salmon that fight a thousand times stronger. You'll never end up back to the backing and if you're getting close you need to reline your reel.

[jonnyblazex]

  Lighter wouldn't really hurt for backing, you just don't want much larger diameter monofilament than the braid equivalent, depending mostly how much mono you decide to use.  In your case 20lb braid is roughly equivalent to 8 lb mono.  So use 8, 10, 6, anything around there.  If your filling a spool half mono, half braid, you obviously wouldn't want to use real heavy mono, like 17lb test or higher, and 20lb braid, as the braid is much thinner and will dig into the mono.  If your just putting a real thin backing on the reel to ensure the braid dosent slip, I wouldn't worry too much about the differences in that case.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I just use whatever mono I have on hand, generally 10-20lb test. It really does not make a huge difference. Use whatever you have and you should be fine.

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing with a smaller spinning reel the backing size doesn't make difference, however since the reels don't hold that much line I don't use backing.

Fishing for species that can spool a reel, I prefer not to use backing but I will add to the existing braid when I get low.

 

With people always saying how long braid lasts, it's very affordable in the long run, why even use backing?

[Alpha Male]

Fishing with a smaller spinning reel the backing size doesn't make difference, however since the reels don't hold that much line I don't use backing.

Fishing for species that can spool a reel, I prefer not to use backing but I will add to the existing braid when I get low.

 

With people always saying how long braid lasts, it's very affordable in the long run, why even use backing?

To answer the op's question it doesn't really matter too much. I bought a 1/4lb spool of berkley big game 12lb for 7$. It has 1200 yards so it's all I use for backing whether it's braid or fluoro, spinning or casting.

And I agree with snook on this one as well. I put a full 150yards of 40lb ppowerpro braid on my frog reel 2 years ago and this winter I had to unspool it and add 20yards of backer. And in another 2 years I might have to do it again. NBD.

[LunkerFisher]

You should use at least a few wraps of backing so your line won't slip around the spool.

[SirSnookalot]

You should use at least a few wraps of backing so your line won't slip around the spool.

A strip of tape on the spool will prevent slipping. 

[I.rar]

I use whatever size mono or copoly I have around. Usually 6 or 10lb. I spool enough backing to cover the spool then the rest with braid. Braid is relatively inexpensive considering it practically lasts forever and having like 20 yards on a filler spool is pretty irritating. There's only so many household tasks i can use the left overs for.

[OHBASSIN]

A strip of tape on the spool will prevent slipping.

I think you posted a video about this recently and it was one of the best tips I've gotten about tackle setups, so thanks for that.

That being said, I agree, tape prevents slip.

[bigfishbk86]

I would use 8-10 lb mono.

[SirSnookalot]

Even when I spool up mono I still put a strip of tape on first, just a habit I got into.  When affixing the braid to the spool a knot isn't really needed, a second strip of tape over the line (sandwiching the line) will work fine.  I mostly tie but I do get lazy sometimes, I've seen no difference as far as slipping goes.