Backing with tape?

[Vinny Chase]

I read a few people using tape instead of mono for backing, is this a widely known thing to do? This is new to me, but sounds interesting.

[B-Dozer]

Yes it will work. But I find it easier to use mono, here's why. I use half a spool of braid, say 75 yards. I know my reel holds say 140 yards (both 12 lb. diam.) I measure off 65 yards mono to give me a full load. If I were to use tape it would be guess work as to how much to use. Of coarse if you use all braid it would be different, but I don't see the need to use braid as backing.

[OHIO]

I started using tape after posting a thread about braid slipping a long time ago. It hasn't failed yet and takes a lot less time than mono backing.

[Vinny Chase]

It just seems a lot more convenient...going to have to try it out this year.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I usually put some cheap mono on as filler then put 1-2 wraps of tape around that, then just tie your regular line on or you can use the tape to hold the regular line when you spool up (however i find tieing gives me more ease of mind than just taping the line) Gives the same effect and no guessing how much tape to use.

[=Matt 5.0=]

I use 3M friction tape. I've found it to be the best. Without mono backing, i can turn the braid around in the spring and have new line at the top of the spool.

[Goose52]

I use backing to save the cost of expensive line like braid or flouro...but I've never used tape. I'll always use some sort of line. For bass fishing, I won't ever see the backing, but if I hook something big I like knowing I've got some sort of line behind the good stuff.

I never thought of this much until I hooked what was probably a 40lb plus grass carp and I watched the 75 yards of the good line go out, then watched about 10 yards of backing go out as the fish was pulling drag...

[bryand82487]

Is some sort of backing an absolute must with braid?  I'd really like to try braid out but backing and leaders just sounds like a lot of work and trouble.

[OHIO]

Is some sort of backing an absolute must with braid? I'd really like to try braid out but backing and leaders just sounds like a lot of work and trouble.

You need backing with braid, but you don't need a leader.

If you use tape, it takes maybe five seconds longer than if you used nothing.

It's not much of a hassle at all.

[B-Dozer]

Is some sort of backing an absolute must with braid? I'd really like to try braid out but backing and leaders just sounds like a lot of work and trouble.

Backing (mono or tape) is used to keep the braid from slipping around the spool. Leaders can be used, but a lot of people don't feel it necessary especially in water that is not crystal clear. You should try it, bet you will like it.

[David P]

I'm not a huge fan of the huge line capacities on so many of these reels, so I started using tape to solve the problem too.

   I put a good amount of mono on first, then some blue painters tape, and then spool my fluorocarbon or braided line on top of the tape. Takes a few minutes to get right, but once you do, you've got it set for a long time. Makes it very convenient as you really never use your bottom half of fluorocarbon on the spool, just a huge waste.

[dodgeguy]

i use a full spool of braid.i tie to the spool and start taping over the line as it spools on.a couple of wraps of black electrical tape and i'm done.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

My baitcaster has a perforated spool so I pass the braid throught the holes a couple times and tie-down.

[BASSclary]

I don't use backing.

I just put down a strip of Arbor tape that comes with Power Pro and I'm fine.

All braid for me.

[bryand82487]

My baitcaster has a perforated spool so I pass the braid throught the holes a couple times and tie-down.

I like this idea.  Is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

[Goose52]

My baitcaster has a perforated spool so I pass the braid throught the holes a couple times and tie-down.

I like this idea. Is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

For bass, maybe not. For larger fish, especially in saltwater - maybe so. Let's say you're using 50lb braid and something BIG is getting ready to spool your reel - if you're tied on, you might end up losing your rig, or maybe just bending the spool shafts on the reel (unless you have a knife handy). If you use mono (lower lb test) backing, or if you use tape to secure the braid to the spool - all you lose is your line...

[SirSnookalot]

I like Matt's idea of the friction tape, I too have been using blue painters tape which is nothing more than masking tape.  For freshwater mono backing is not a bad idea, long runs are extremely rare.  Fishing saltwater everyday the method that works the best for me is just to tape ( braid, no mono backing) my line to the spool, no slippage ever.  True on average fish we catch run like 2-10# capable of making some longer runs, but the possibility of hooking a 20#-50# or larger fish off is always there and now you need line capacity.  Have I ever been spooled.........many times.

[dulouz]

I use a mono backing because that is what was on my reels before I started to experiment with braid.  Given the price of braid I don't know why you would fill a whole spool with it, especially when the bottom half just sits there never getting used.  When paying $25 per spool I want it to fill as many reels as possible.

[CKFishin]

I'm not a huge fan of the huge line capacities on so many of these reels, so I started using tape to solve the problem too.

I put a good amount of mono on first, then some blue painters tape, and then spool my fluorocarbon or braided line on top of the tape. Takes a few minutes to get right, but once you do, you've got it set for a long time. Makes it very convenient as you really never use your bottom half of fluorocarbon on the spool, just a huge waste.

So how many yards are you putting in the spool?

[B-Dozer]

I use a mono backing because that is what was on my reels before I started to experiment with braid. Given the price of braid I don't know why you would fill a whole spool with it, especially when the bottom half just sits there never getting used. When paying $25 per spool I want it to fill as many reels as possible.

My thoughts exactly. Braid will last a long time, no need to flip it around in the Spring. Good or bad, I have a lot of set ups. Half a spool with mono backing works for me.

[B-Dozer]

I'm not a huge fan of the huge line capacities on so many of these reels, so I started using tape to solve the problem too.

I put a good amount of mono on first, then some blue painters tape, and then spool my fluorocarbon or braided line on top of the tape. Takes a few minutes to get right, but once you do, you've got it set for a long time. Makes it very convenient as you really never use your bottom half of fluorocarbon on the spool, just a huge waste.

So how many yards are you putting in the spool?

I use half a spool of a 150 yd. PP. That's 75 yds. 225 ft. You are not likely to cast more than that, if you get a fish that will run more than that, you have the mono backing.

[21farms]

My baitcaster has a perforated spool so I pass the braid throught the holes a couple times and tie-down.

I like this idea. Is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

i can think of only one: if you get spooled, the braid can get cut by the sharp edges of the holes.

[CWB]

I usually put some cheap mono on as filler then put 1-2 wraps of tape around that, then just tie your regular line on or you can use the tape to hold the regular line when you spool up (however i find tieing gives me more ease of mind than just taping the line) Gives the same effect and no guessing how much tape to use.

X2. I spool on enough line so that there is about 80-100 yards left then wrap electrical tape tightly around it.

Just tie on new line and spool what you're going to use,

unless you're after something that will run off 100 yds of line on you. 300 yd spool will fill 3 reels, not 2 with just enough left over to tick you off.