Fluorocarbon with Backing?

[snake95]

I’ve decided I like using fluoro for jigs and shallow cranking, but don’t want to use a braid/leader combo for this.  I don’t see a point in filling the whole spool though, and I’m trying a braid filler for longevity.

 

I don’t think I need more than about 100 yds fluorocarbon for each setup for this kind of fishing.  (Different story for deep cranking).

 

Is that about the right length?

 

Any other tips on using backing with fluoro?

[MN Fisher]

I don't use 'expensive braid' for backing, but cheap nylon and only put 70-80yds of mainline on. This is for any mainline I use - braid, FC or 'good' mono.

On my BCs I use 10# Big Game for backing...$11 for 1500yds at FishUSA

On my spinners it's 6# Zebco Cajun...$6.50 for 1850yds at Fleet Farm

 

Use the calculator below, plug in values and use a line-counter to put the indicated amount of backing on.

https://www.pattayafishing.net/advanced-fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/

[TnRiver46]

I use mono backing for rods with fluoro .  I’ve never measured how much fluoro I put on but I try to imagine putting two long casts worth on. 

[Jig Man]

I have a spot picked out in the yard next door that is about 30 yds farther than a cast.  I tie the line on and walk to the spot unrolling the line.  I cut the line go back pick up my reel and wind it up.

[Choporoz]

I don't do real math, but in my head, it is cheaper to skip the backing.  My thinking is that every spooled reel is going to 'waste' the last 30 or 40 yards, when it needs to be re-spooled.  The more fluoro I put on each time, means fewer times that I have that 'end waste'....assuming I don't waste too much at end of a supply spool. (Which leads to a similar lazy math reason to by bigger spools, aside from per yard cost.)

  This probably saves me a few nickles, but admittedly, I deal with under-filled reels towards the end each time....so there is a trade off.   One big benefit,  though is not having knots on the reel, which isn't usually a huge problem....until it is.

[A-Jay]

When it comes to mainline & backing,

regardless of either lines type or size, or reel type or spool size,

I've been doing something close to 1/3 spool backing and the rest mainline.

Allows for end to end change out with the braid if & when it wears

and has worked well for the FC.

BTW, I tried the braid backing deal too and didn't care for it.

Depending on spool size & depth, unless I spun it on with MAX tension,

it seemed to ride sort of wonky on the spool shaft which made me a little mental.

I mean more than usual.

Went back to mono.

A-Jay

 

 

 

[FishTank]

I put backing on all my reels. I either use what ever is left over from a spool or I buy the cheapest big spool of 8 or 10lb line I can. 

[FryDog62]

I bought a 1000 yard spool of cheap fluorescent Co-polymer line a few years ago that I use as backing. It gives me a visual cue that I’m running low on my mainline fluoro before I hear the “tick” of the line-to-line knot going through the guides telling me it’s time to re-fill. Helps me anticipate where I’m at before I get on the water. 

[Team9nine]

Like others, I use cheap mono in most cases, preferably colored (green, orange, chartreuse) since fluoro is clear - makes a good indicator. I shoot for between 70-100 yds per spool depending on fluoro spool size. I either measure the distance on Google Maps and cut to length accordingly, or use IPT for that reel and count handle revolutions after doing some basic math. You may have to unspool and adjust a time or two to get it right, but once you have it, you’re good for life - lol

[wdp]

32 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I bought a 1000 yard spool of cheap fluorescent Co-polymer line a few years ago that I use as backing. It gives me a visual cue that I’m running low on my mainline fluoro before I hear the “tick” of the line-to-line knot going through the guides telling me it’s time to re-fill. Helps me anticipate where I’m at before I get on the water. 

This right here! I do same thing. I’ve found that Cajun Red line works well for this method also. 10# Cajun mono is really cheap at Walmart or Academy. Fill spool 1/3 to 1/2 with the cheap mono, then top off with the expensive fluorocarbon or braid. 

[snake95]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

he more fluoro I put on each time, means fewer times that I have that 'end waste'....assuming I don't waste too much at end of a supply spool. (Which leads to a similar lazy math reason to by bigger spools, aside from per yard cost.)

Thanks, this is good logic to me.  I probably will proceed with the backing approach, but have to agree this makes good practical sense.  I don't like running low on line on the spool which is part of the motivation for the backing approach.  But... I can see the appeal of this approach.

 

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

BTW, I tried the braid backing deal too and didn't care for it.

Good input and appreciate the experience.  I had remembered the Aaron Martens clip referenced by @NHBull and was thinking of using Big Game braid for this, but maybe not now.

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Use the calculator below, plug in values and use a line-counter to put the indicated amount of backing on.

Cool link!

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

I either measure the distance on Google Maps and cut to length accordingly,

That's genius.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input and will spool up accordingly.

[WRB]

Spinning reels the spool is stationary use whatever backing you have, 100 yards of main line is all you need for bass.

Casting reels the spools is a critical component regarding casting distance, light weight works better. Tightly wound Dacron braid reduces weight compared to any type of mono.

The braid becomes a larger diameter arbor. You want the braid tight and even so the braid arbor is round. 75-100 yards of main line is good for bass. 

Another option is buy a shallower depth lighter weight spool, no backing needed.

In the past I always just filled the spool with the main line I am using and pull off 75 -80 yards when it needs changing and tie on a top shot of fresh line.

Today I would buy a shallower light weight spool if still fishing often.

Tom

 

[JustJames]

I used to be too picky about how many yards of line to be on spool. Nowadays I just backing enough that I can have half of filler spool on my reel (about 100yds). Yes lower line on spool would effect casting distance and IPT but I mostly fish bottom contact, so IPT and distance is not my main concern and most of my reel are 7.2 gear anyway. I use old chartreuse braid as my backing and I hardly replace those backing so no need to buy cheap line for it(you know us bass anglers always have more stuff than we need.
I’m lucky enough to have the reels with line capacity matching my line type.

If you have the line too little50-75yds you might have to respool too often after a few snagged. If you have too much line and once the line go below half filled, you will start noticing different mainly distance (old line get coiled under spool another way to complain about line memory no matter how expensive the line is)

 

 

[BrianMDTX]

It seems the vast majority of bass anglers use backing to avoid spooling yards of $$$ braid or fluorocarbon. Makes one wonder why most bass reels simply don’t have spools that hold less line and eliminate the need for any backing (save some mono to start when spooling braid). 
 

Is it due to the weight of a larger diameter spool? 

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Makes one wonder why most bass reels simply don’t have spools that hold less line and eliminate the need for any backing

Probably because they're not 'bass reels'. People use the reels we do for all sorts of fishing. Muskie, lake trout, inshore...

For some targeted fish that these reels are used for, you want lots of line...so they make them capable of holding lots of line for the other species.

[RDB]

I use braid backing on all my fluoro reels.  I like a full spool and will replace the line if it drops below the spool bevel, so using backing is a huge $ saver for me.  I just eyeball it but I doubt I use more than 60-70 yards.  I personally see no need to use 100+ yards.  By the time I get to that extra line, a re-spool would be past due anyway.  Also, I go long periods of time between changing the backing.

[newapti5]

I used braid backing for fluoro all the time, except when the spool is already shallow. There're many cheap braid lines on that Chinese site or Amazon, same price range as mono.  I wouldn't use those braid for main line, but they're perfect backing material. 

 

Fluoro lines are pretty heavy - a full spool of fluoro could be 5~10 gram heavier than a full spool of braid, so braid backing could be quite beneficial for casting light lures. 

 

As how much backing on the reel, I mostly just go by experience, and then put on about 70~80 yards of fluoro main line by using a line counter.  While done, usually the spool is filled to the brim, or with a 1/16" gap to brim left.