What pound test mono should I use for backing with 30 pound braid? And could I do just straight braid and use tape to spool it on? Like instead of a knot to tie it to the spool? PS: This is with a BPS Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel.

What pound test mono should I use for backing with 30 pound braid? And could I do just straight braid and use tape to spool it on? Like instead of a knot to tie it to the spool? PS: This is with a BPS Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel.

You can go straight braid if you want to or just run some electrical tapeon the spool.

I would however back it with some mono. I use 12# mono to back it. I prefer to go with something that has a stand out color that is opposite of my braid color. You will never use all the braid on a spool. I would back it to save the braid.Never know when you are going to have to break off, backlash or just need to replace the line. Having the extra on the main spool left will help save funds.

It really doesn't matter, and you won't need for than 30 ft., unless you needed to be precise in how much you wish to spool of both the mono and braid.

There are two basic ways to view the mono backing methodology as I call it.

Method #1: Use just enough mono to stop slipping and fill the rest with braid.

Pro: Super easy - only need about 30ft of mono

Con: Some of that braid, for its price will never ever see action. Almost a pity.

Method #2: A more economical use of braid - By way of using more mono, the angler now has the ability to use up the entire typcial spool of 150 yds in parts - either two (75 and 75) or three (50-50-50). You simply need to spool the line up with a percentage of mono and the top with braid. For example a Curado G holds about 180 yards of 8# line, from which you could extrapolate that it will probably hold maybe 150-160 yds of 10# test. For your example, we could use the former, since you are your 30# braid, which happens to have the mono equivalent of 8# mono. It makes things easier!

If you wanted to use 50 yds of braid on top, you would only need to fill the spool with mono just 130 yards of mono. Because 30# braid and mono have the same diameter, a few simple caluclations will reveal that 130 yards will occupy about 72% of the spool. 72 is close to 75 which is just shy of 3/4 of the spool.

So just fill up the spool with mono until it is about 3/4 full and fill up the rest with mono.

Pros

It's an economical way to use up your braid

It helps to keep the spool close to optimum capacity which helps to increase casting distance with less effort and keep reel operating at its intended gear ratio

Cons

If you're fighting larger species of fish, you might run the risk of getting spooled down to your back for which 8# test might not be ideal - not a problem for most bass fishing scenarios

If you're facing a lot of break offs, you run the risk of using up your braid quickly so bring the spool with you.

If you remember fractions and percentages from 4th grade math, you can easily make modifications to how much braid/mono and to use regardless of the line strength.

I have braid on one reel that is well into its 4th season, no problems at all.

Pro: Ensures maximum use of braid.

Thank you very much.

Braid will not slip it tied or taped properly, backing is not needed unless you choose to use it. Backing for freshwater is a good idea from an economical standpoint, I'd use 8# mono with 30# braid and no more than 20 or 25 yds longer than your furthest cast. As stated above 8# may not be strong enough for larger fish if you reach the backing, for me I never use backing, I always go straight braid, even 15# braid won't break until well over 20 lb of pressure, you can land a hell of a fish on that.

I used enough backing such that there's room for 50-60 yards of braid. I tie a uni-to-uni know to connect them, but sometimes I wonder if it matters, because I never get down that far while bass fishing.

I used enough backing such that there's room for 50-60 yards of braid. I tie a uni-to-uni know to connect them, but sometimes I wonder if it matters, because I never get down that far while bass fishing.

So you are saying that you never make 75 yard casts?

So you are saying that you never make 75 yard casts?

Not that I ever measured my casting distance, but pretty positive I don't cast 75 yds while bass fishing.

So you are saying that you never make 75 yard casts?

Yep, that's what I'm sayin'!! Maybe with an 8' rod, 4# line and 3/4 oz. lure.