43 replies to this topic

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I have always used what I have around. This year I ran out of left overs so I bought some zebco omniflex from wal mart. 700 yards for $2.88 don't get much cheaper than that.

[bassin is addicting]

All of my baitcasters have backing on them.  I put a piece of tape around the backing line.  After that I tie on just like I would tie to the spool.

X2

 

i also do this with the spinning reels that have braid on them.

[Capt.Bob]

Trilene big game backer, blood knot to braid or fireline, then blood knot to fluoro. spin or casting, sometimes use big game as a leader instead of fluoro, in cloudy water rivers and such.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

All of my baitcasters have backing on them.  I put a piece of tape around the backing line.  After that I tie on just like I would tie to the spool.
X2
 
i also do this with the spinning reels that have braid on them.

That's what I do too. It avoids the annoying knot under my thumb.

[PotomacBassin]

To save money, I also run whatever I have available as backing before putting on more expensive (and new) braid or FC.  I just found an older large spool of 20 lb mono.  Thoughts on whether that's too thick to use as good backing? 

I don't think this is too thick to use as a filler.  The thicker it is, the more space it takes up, meaning you can fill more space with less line.  Just helps you save more money. 

[upnorthbassin]

I've backed reels before with mono but now I think it's just one more step and one more knot in the mix. I mostly did it on bigger reels to use as backing for braid. I am also liking the smaller reels like the 30 size pflueger reels for example. It's not going to take a ton of line to just spool it up and I don't feel that I need a bigger reel than that for bass. Now if I was using tatsu or something in that price range I might do it more often to save money.

[SirSnookalot]

Some of the suggestions that have been mentioned are excellent cost saving measures, but not for me.

If I'm spending several hundred dollars on a rod and reel, I'm not shy to spend a little more and get the line of my choice, if it's on sale all the better.  Not to debate favoring 1 brand over another, which has been beat to death already, I want line in healthy condition on my reels and don't care how often I have to change it.  If I was overly concerned about total cost I'd be buying a more moderate priced outfit with the best line on it, not the reverse.

I prefer not to use backing at all with my braid, in the case of some of the smaller reels like a 30 floog it isn't that much line anyway.  Reels that I'm using to catch fish that are capable of some long runs, I don't care to risk losing a great fish due to a knot failure or being striped down to the backing.  If your fish is strong enough to go 50 yds, it can do a 100 yds just as easy. 

[alexczarn]

I do as well. I usually use Maxima.

[DarrenM]

 Another tip was reversing the lines, especially with braid.

I do this, too. Just the other day I picked up 20 lb yellow PP for my Lexa which had new 40 lb green PP spooled on it for striper fishing. simply put the Lexa in free spool, took my Accurist and spooled the 40 off the Lexa onto it. Money saver, for sure.

[WhiteMike1018]

What happens when you get a nasty backlash and need to strip off line? Then all your stuck with is the cheap mono........thoughts?

[DirtNasty]

I prefer not to use backing at all with my braid, in the case of some of the smaller reels like a 30 floog it isn't that much line anyway. Reels that I'm using to catch fish that are capable of some long runs, I don't care to risk losing a great fish due to a knot failure or being striped down to the backing. If your fish is strong enough to go 50 yds, it can do a 100 yds just as easy.

It's not just for savings costs, braided line will slip if it is tied directly to the spool... Hence the reason for backing.

[JigMe]

It's not just for savings costs, braided line will slip if it is tied directly to the spool... Hence the reason for backing.

 

You can put a piece of tape on the spool, so it wont slip.  

[SirSnookalot]

DirtNasty, on 09 Feb 2013 - 09:40, said:

It's not just for savings costs, braided line will slip if it is tied directly to the spool... Hence the reason for backing.

 

You can put a piece of table on the spool, so it wont slip.  

Tied direct to the spool yes, a piece of masking or electrical tape on the spool first NO SLIP.  I even use tape before spooling up with mono.

[Capt.Bob]

Some of the suggestions that have been mentioned are excellent cost saving measures, but not for me.

If I'm spending several hundred dollars on a rod and reel, I'm not shy to spend a little more and get the line of my choice, if it's on sale all the better.  Not to debate favoring 1 brand over another, which has been beat to death already, I want line in healthy condition on my reels and don't care how often I have to change it.  If I was overly concerned about total cost I'd be buying a more moderate priced outfit with the best line on it, not the reverse.

I prefer not to use backing at all with my braid, in the case of some of the smaller reels like a 30 floog it isn't that much line anyway.  Reels that I'm using to catch fish that are capable of some long runs, I don't care to risk losing a great fish due to a knot failure or being striped down to the backing.  If your fish is strong enough to go 50 yds, it can do a 100 yds just as easy. 

Knot a problem, (Pun intended) really, if you use a proper knot and the right line it should never be a problem. I have never had an issue with breaking off, and have been in my backing a time or two, it just takes a little longer to rig. I use a 10 to 12 foot Fluorocarbon leader on all my setup's so there would be a failure at the leader first if I was going to have one at the backing, never been a problem, and I have been rigging this way for over 20 years, I just used mono before there was Fluorocarbon.

[SirSnookalot]

Knot a problem, (Pun intended) really, if you use a proper knot and the right line it should never be a problem. I have never had an issue with breaking off, and have been in my backing a time or two, it just takes a little longer to rig. I use a 10 to 12 foot Fluorocarbon leader on all my setup's so there would be a failure at the leader first if I was going to have one at the backing, never been a problem, and I have been rigging this way for over 20 years, I just used mono before there was Fluorocarbon.

I can't imagine having a problem with perch or walleye either, just reel them in, not the case with many other species.