Figuring Reel Capacity.

[new2BC4bass]

I was going to ask if anyone knew of a formula that would allow me to know how much backing to use for a desired amount of braid. Figured it best to do a little research before asking. First link I tried was a good one.

http://www.thesmartfisherman.com/3.html

Probably most of you already knew of this. I didn't. Maybe some others don't. This is for you guys.

Only problem is I need to buy a line counter instead of 'eyeballing'.

[Sam]

Great post, New, but I think I will just continue to eyeball it!!!!

[Bassyak]

That guy put a lot more effort into that than I did. I just got the IPT (inches per turn) and line capacity for each of my reels from the paperwork that comes with it or off the manufacturer's website, and then counted the number of handle turns so that I could best estimate the amount of line I'm putting on the reel. I usually only bother when I'm putting mono backing on for braid. It's not an exact science, but it's close enough for government work and keeps me from wasting line.

[NCLifetimer]

That link seems like a good estimate.

You could always use math. Integrate the radius(or diameter/2) as it increases with each added layer of line(assuming the layers of line layed perfectly on top of eachother and their was no compression). You'd need to know the initial radius( that of the spool) and the final radius(that of the desired line capacity level), width of the spool, and the diameter(or radius) of the line. Or you could do it with algebra, adding up each increase of the radius as layers of line are added and compensating for the radius change. Let me know if you want a formula for that, and i'll let you know where to send the check just jokin

Inches per turn is most accurate when the spool is full, atleast i believe that is where it is measured from? It serves its purpose, because most cast even when far don't use to much line(compared to the diamter of the spool). The error with IPT is greater as the spool gets closer to empty. One the BPS pro qualifier i just got for example, the spool is very small in radius because its the crankin model with high line capacity. Initial IPT is very low compared to rated IPT, but increases towards rated IPT as spool diameter increases.

My advice, trial and error. Buy some cheap backing, add too much the first time, spool up the braid. If you run out of room remove some of the backing and retie. If you need more backing then add more before reconnecting the braid. Could be a pain if your using a lot of braid thou, as you would have to take the braid off to cut/add backer.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I do like in that link, with putting on braid 1st then mono to capacity then switch around. I attach the line-spool to a drill though to make take-off quicker.

[hike4steel]

Good to know. Thanks, Much better then trial and error.

[new2BC4bass]

Here is something I didn't think of last night. How full is the reel at the manufacturer's stated line amount? Even with spool lip bevel? 1/16 below? 1/8 below?

[Marty]

I get the results I want by eyeballing. Also, I use 50–60 yards of braid on top of the backing rather than the 150 yards mentioned in the article.

[Bassn Blvd]

Absolutely ridiculous.

[deep]

Absolutely ridiculous.

huh?

[Marty]

Absolutely ridiculous.

huh?

I can't read his mind but if he meant overkill for something basically simple, then I could easily understand his comment.

[baluga]

unfortunately there's no accurate way to compute it since manufacturer stated braid diameter does holds true all thru out the line from end to end. The best way to fill them correctly is to use another two reels to shuffle the topshot and backing.

1. Fill in the reel with the braid in and connect the mono and fill in up to the desired spool limit.

2, Then transfer the line to another reel to empty the first

reell.

3. Transfer the line again to another reel to have the braid as backing,

4. Then transfer the line back to the first reel to make mono as backing and you're done.

[Bassn Blvd]

I can't read his mind but if he meant overkill for something basically simple, then I could easily understand his comment.

I reread the original post after Deep replied "Huh" to mine. I had misread the post, but I don't think it's too difficult to "eyeball" how much backing to put on, especially if you use the same size reels. Gauging how much to put on gets easier and easier every time you respool.

[deep]

I reread the original post after Deep replied "Huh" to mine. I had misread the post, but I don't think it's too difficult to "eyeball" how much backing to put on, especially if you use the same size reels. Gauging how much to put on gets easier and easier every time you respool.

I agree. No disrespect was implied btw.

[SirSnookalot]

Eyeball and be done with it, no reason to spend a lot of time on 5 minute task. Not that I would consider this, would be to measure the depth of the spool, mark the halfway point, then fill with backing to that point. Or just go braid all the way, I never use backing.

[new2BC4bass]

Eyeball and be done with it, no reason to spend a lot of time on 5 minute task. Not that I would consider this, would be to measure the depth of the spool, mark the halfway point, then fill with backing to that point. Or just go braid all the way, I never use backing.

I already spend more than I should on fishing gear. If the reel isn't going to hold more than say 100-125 yards of braid, then I use just enough mono to avoid slippage. Otherwise I try to add more mono in hopes of being able to spool two reels from the one package of braid. I don't mind spending a few extra minutes trying to get what I feel is enough braid but not a lot more than necessary. Of course the amount of line that comes in the package is also a determinging factor. I'm not going to add enough mono so that 90 yards of braid will be on the spool when it will leave 20 yards left in the package.

[Bassn Blvd]

I agree. No disrespect was implied btw.

None was taken.

[A-Jay]

For spinning reels, I use the spare spool.

I Spool the spare first with the desired amount of braid and then complete the fill with backing (mono for me). Then switch to the primary spool and simply reel all the line from the spare to the reel. Backing will be right and your spool will be properly filled with braid. Then I fill the spare spool with flourocarbon.

For casting reels; I have several of the same make / model, so I use the process described above with two reels vice two spools. The last reel is filled with mono or flourocarbon.

The amount of top shot braid each angler uses varies. For me, the length of 2 very long casts is sufficient. I've never had a bass spin off so much drag that I was even close to seeing the backing.

So I see no reason to put 100 yards of braid on my reel.

However, a few big pike have made me ensure that the uniknot between the two, is tied correctly.

Hope this helps.

A-Jay

[Goose52]

I eyeball it with nylon mono or copoly. With expensive lines like flouro or braid, I'll actually measure it out.

I usually want from 50 to 75 yards of the good stuff on top, backing underneath. If the filler spool is, lets say, 150 yards, then I'll decide if I want to divide that into 50 yard or 75 yard increments. I have a 100 foot driveway and set pylons at each end of the driveway. If I want 50 yards (150ft) of flouro/braid, I tie it off to a pylon and walk out 150 feet (1.5 driveways) and cut the line. I tape the cut end onto the reel, wind that up, then tie on the backing and fill the spool. Then I tie off the end of the backing to a pylon, walk everything out around the pylons, and remove the taped end of the line from the reel. Back to the first pylon, use an arbor knot to tie the backing to the spool, wind everything back on the reel. Almost takes longer to type than to do. Result - your expensive line is precisely divided to get multiple respools, and the precise amount of backing is installed. Don't need an extra reel or extra spool...just some space.

[SirSnookalot]

The few times I've used backing eyeballing has worked just fine, apx 1/2 spool then top off with braid. I would rather just go braid all the way. My freshwater reels do not go thru line, so my braid is on there for at least 2 seasons and it's 12 months here, so it really is not expensive.

I go thru a lot of line saltwater, especially around jetties and reefs, barnacles can slice your line in an instant. Straight braid and I add when needed, at times I will turn it over. I don't know what kind of knot I use to join my braid, but it holds...lol.

[new2BC4bass]

I was glad to hear how much braid some of you use.on top of the filler. I wasn't sure what the amount should be. I am going to lower the amount I had been using. Thanks for all the replies. Wasn't expecting to learn anything when I made the post. Was just trying to help out other newbies who may have been wondering how to figure out how much backing to put on their reels. In the old days I used mono only, and filled the reel with whatever lb/brand I planned on using for that particular set-up. Nice to be able to get input from more experienced anglers.

SirSnookalot, I hope retiring to Florida is a possibility in my near future. Twelve month fishing season sounds like heaven to me!

[A-Rob]

I just fill'er up and eyeball it on the generous side...easier to cut off 10 yards than strip it all b/c you didn't like how thin you filled it haha.

[ctf58]

I fill my spool with cheap backing mono to the top and then make a few of the longest practice cast I can using a 3/4oz practice plug across the neighbors yards. I then strip off about 20 more yards and cut the mono and tie on the braid and finish respooling. That way I know if on my longest cast I still have several yards of braid on the spool. You can buy 300yds of 10# mono from wally world for $4.00 so don't feel bad if you through 100yd away after gauging your casting distance.

[new2BC4bass]

I fill my spool with cheap backing mono to the top and then make a few of the longest practice cast I can using a 3/4oz practice plug across the neighbors yards. I then strip off about 20 more yards and cut the mono and tie on the braid and finish respooling. That way I know if on my longest cast I still have several yards of braid on the spool. You can buy 300yds of 10# mono from wally world for $4.00 so don't feel bad if you through 100yd away after gauging your casting distance.

Not a bad idea. I did even better. Just received two 1150 yd. spools of 12 lb. at 3.88 a spool.

[bigbassctchr101]

I fill my spool with cheap backing mono to the top and then make a few of the longest practice cast I can using a 3/4oz practice plug across the neighbors yards. I then strip off about 20 more yards and cut the mono and tie on the braid and finish respooling. That way I know if on my longest cast I still have several yards of braid on the spool. You can buy 300yds of 10# mono from wally world for $4.00 so don't feel bad if you through 100yd away after gauging your casting distance.

This is what I do if I do use mono as a backing. But I am usually putting braid on a reel I have already been using so it already has mono on it. Cast, walk it out 20 or so foot and cut.