I just got my first baitcaster a and the line just came. I am using 30lb braid. Some videos I watch say use mono at first but others use straight up braid. Is a minor backing necessary and do you find it helpful?

Yes the backing prevents the line from slipping around the spool and it also prevents you from wasting braid on the spool that you won't even use.

Yes the backing prevents the line from slipping around the spool and it also prevents you from wasting braid on the spool that you won't even use.

Alright thanks. Will eight pound mono be strong enough for 30lb braid? And how much backing should I use? Also a lot of people put electric tape over their spool, is that necessary?

It doesn't matter what you use for backing since you should use enough braid to complete a cast and then some more. Electric tape isn't necessary and I've never done it. I would use your 8# mono just enough so you don't see the holes in your spool and then take maybe ten more cranks or so then tie your braid.

Alright thanks. Will eight pound mono be strong enough for 30lb braid? And how much backing should I use? Also a lot of people put electric tape over their spool, is that necessary?

If you put electrical tape around the bare spool, then backing isn't necessary unless you are cheap like me.  I see no need to spool 200 yards of expensive braid when 85-100 is sufficient.

 

Some people suggest using electical tape when learning to use a baitcast reel. Make a long cast.  Pull out a little more line.  Wrap tape around spool.  That way the reel can't backlash past this point.

It doesn't matter what you use for backing since you should use enough braid to complete a cast and then some more. Electric tape isn't necessary and I've never done it. I would use your 8# mono just enough so you don't see the holes in your spool and then take maybe ten more cranks or so then tie your braid.

I also have 15# mono. Also I am going to get a another reel for my heavy rod and am going to put 50lb braid. I am going to use that for pike so should I just go with full braid or a strong mono leader?

I also have 15# mono. Also I am going to get a another reel for my heavy rod and am going to put 50lb braid. I am going to use that for pike so should I just go with full braid or a strong mono leader?

We don't have pike around here so I'll let someone else chime in on that

Just a general tip that can save you a lot of time and line while learning the baitcaster. I always have my Rapala nail clipper with me. Great for cutting line, of course, but more importantly, it has a hook type tool that is absolutely essential when you do get the ol' rat's nest. It helps to pull out some line behind any spot where the line may be stuck. I must have cut my line a half a dozen times unnecessarily before learning how to use this little gem. Tight lines!

For pike I would use a heavy mono or flour leader, another option is knottable wire.

Pike will cut through braid with relative ease all the way up to 80# and even when its the snakey 16-25" pike.  You will want either a heavy fluoro or steel leaders if you're very concerned. Spro has some relatively inexpensive Fluoro leaders that I have used.  A lot of guys make their own. Those of us in pike waters need to just pony up and understand there will be casualties (lost lures). There is a tie-able leader material called Toothy Critter by Cortland. You could give that a try as well.  I only use a leader on some of my expensive swimbaits, the rest of my stuff is up for grabs as I prefer not to use a leader when I don't have to.

Mark nailed it.  Its a balancing act with pike/muskie, do I want the bait to look good?  Then no leader.  Too expensive to lose? Leader.  Whats a acceptable loss will be up to the individual.

Pike will cut through braid with relative ease all the way up to 80# and even when its the snakey 16-25" pike. You will want either a heavy fluoro or steel leaders if you're very concerned. Spro has some relatively inexpensive Fluoro leaders that I have used. A lot of guys make their own. Those of us in pike waters need to just pony up and understand there will be casualties (lost lures). There is a tie-able leader material called Toothy Critter by Cortland. You could give that a try as well. I only use a leader on some of my expensive swimbaits, the rest of my stuff is up for grabs as I prefer not to use a leader when I don't have to.

I believe another good knottable wire option is called tiger wire. I use my to fly fish musky, double surgeons loop on both ends, attach the main line to one loop and a swivel to the other. Works great! I use 40lb btw.