I've decided to make the switch from mono to braid before the upcoming spring, but have gotten mixed answers to whether or not a backing is needed for braided line. My pflueger presidents reel has the built in rubber strip which i know is meant for braid, but my other reels don't have that. Is it necessary for me to back my reels, and if so is it ok to put a thin layer of mono down or is there another way to do it (i think i read something about using tape but i couldn't find the article)

I always put a layer of cheap monofilament down the bottom of mine. It prevents you from wasting good, expensive line. The way I see it, if you line the whole spool with good line, by the time you get a third of the way down you will want to re-line the spool anyways because you don't want too little line or you will be pulling in a lot less line per turn. I probably spool 1/3 to half of my spool with filler line first and then put the good line over it. I have never gotten down to the knot before and it saves a whole lot of money. I also find that most things cast better with some monofilament rather than all braid, but maybe that is just me. I have never had any issues with line slipping.

 

I realize that my reasoning for putting backing on my reels is totally different than the reasons you were asking for, though.

http://www.jerry-brown-industries.com/841.html

 

This is all the info you should need. They make some of the best braid out there period and its proven

Do a search, there was a topic already regarding this.  However in a nutshell here is the advantages for putting backing on braid.  Prevents the line slipping on your spool.  (If you do not use the wiffle spools.) - IE when you set the hook your line will slip, preventing you from setting the hook properly or reeling a fish in.  As the previous poster, saves you money by having that one spool of line used for 2 reels (125 or 150 yds)  I usually will use half of the spool for a reel. 

 

In general I do a 50/50 or 60/40 of backing/braid.