How To Use Backing?

[jeremyt]

When using backing for braid, I have a few questions? I am using 50# samurai braid for my jig setup. I have covered the spool with mono, now should I cover the mono with athletic tape or just blood knot the braid to the mono?

[LgMouthGambler]

Just a piece of tape and tie the braid around the spool and reel it on. 50# is a thick braid for needing backing though. Usually its for thinner dia braids. I use 65# on my baitcasters, and spool it straight on.

[0119]

Yup straight on with no backing. One wrap of electric tape to spool first then wrap line 2 or 3 times around the arbor then do a simple uni.

[Marty]

Generally, bass fishing requires no more than 50-60 yards of line. If your reel holds significantly more than that amount, I see nothing wrong with using backing and see no need to fill the whole spool with your braid.

[islandbass]

If you're going to target larger species, then I would go with a knot. Else, the tape. There is at least on species of salmon that spooled my Curado 201DHSV that was filled to capacity. It can happen.

[Jaheff]

I alway's use knots. Just for the fact if you knock your rod and reel over, and it's just so happens to be in free spool, and all you can do is snag your line, is the tape gonna hold good enough for you to pull your combo back up?

[Hooligan]

I've never, never had the tape work. The entire premise for backing is that braid has zero stretch and cannot grab on the spool as a result of it. I've always had braid come lose of the tape, more so with large diameter braids. I always back with mono/fluoro/copoly. Whether it's Muskies and five turns then filling the spool with braid, or bass with 2/3s the sppol then fill with braid. All of my saltwater reels have a post for a braid loop, so they get spooled full on.

[jeremyt]

Thanks for the replies gents, I went 1/2 mono and 1/2 braid. I will take everyone's advice and play around until I find what works best for me. I was just looking for a good starting point. Once again I really appreciate everyones input.

[Marty]

The entire premise for backing is that braid has zero stretch and cannot grab on the spool as a result of it.

The premise for me is saving money. If I have, say, a 300-yard spool and have enough backing so that the spool will fill with 50-60 yards, then I get 5-6 respools from that supply spool. I did the same in my pre-braid days, using just 50-60 yards of mono.

[SirSnookalot]

Many reels today are braid ready, meaning there may be rubber band and just slide the line underneath or a strip of rubber around the spool, tie or tape, for me it's straight braid no backing. I just tape my freshwater reels and only use about 1/2- 3/4 of capacity, haven't had the need to change line for a couple of years and I fish 12 months. My inshore reels are braid, full spool, no backing and just tape.

My off shore reels, some mono reels and some braided ones, they don't get backing.

Tie or tape, is a personal choice, chances of most people getting spooled is pretty slim.

[LgMouthGambler]

Funny, I dont use tape to attach my braid straight to the spool. Most spools today have holes in them, you can tie straight to the spool. If no holes, you can use a clove hitch, once thats tight, the lines not going anywhere. Just food for thought.