Hey guys, so basically I'm using 17 lb test fluorocarbon line and I don't want to spool my full bait caster with it.  I heard most people use monofilament, and if so I have a few questions.  How much backing do I put on the reel?  Do I match the fluorocarbon lb test with the mono lb test?  How much of my fluorocarbon line do I use for a leader?  Awesome, thanks guys!

I've read some complicated (for me) ways to figure out how much backing to put on, but for me I just fill about half of it with a cheap mono and then fill the rest with the fluoro or braid I'm actually going to fish with.  I don't worry about matching the line size of the backing to the main line.  If you are worried about not having enough main line stop filling with backing before you get halfway.

I've read some complicated (for me) ways to figure out how much backing to put on, but for me I just fill about half of it with a cheap mono and then fill the rest with the fluoro or braid I'm actually going to fish with.  I don't worry about matching the line size of the backing to the main line.  If you are worried about not having enough main line stop filling with backing before you get halfway.

Awesome, I appreciate the quick response.

pretty much the same for me, about half way.  If you try to go to far with your backing your joining knot ( double uni for me ) will occasionally catch the line above it and stop or slow your cast.  When I thread that joint on, I always push it to a side that way even if you are down there it will most likely not effect a cast.  You can save some expense with backing and not be as hesitant just to switch your line out.  

The amount of backing I use depends on the size of the line I put on. The reels that have like 12# have way more backing then a reel with 20# on it. I also don't tie to my backing anymore and just use a small piece of electrical tape to hold it on. With heavy line you can feel the knot sometimes if your casting way out there and it can make your reel stack to one side. It might not be so much of a issue with smaller line but I run 15# or more on most reels and lines like CXX have a larger diameter and most my reels have CXX now a days.

I rarely use backing for fluorocarbon (usually just fill the spool.) If it were me though I would use mono for the backing, but tie a short length of braid between the mono and fluoro to reduce the size of the joining knots.

 

It might just be personal opinion, but I feel that braid to fluoro/mono knots are much cleaner and tighter than mono to fluoro. I tie staggered leaders for fly tippet and the knots are always bulky feeling. Fortunately it doesn't matter much in that case.

Use any old, heavy diameter line that you'll probably never use for topping.

I have thousands of yards of saltwater line that I use for freshwater backing.

The line material is totally irrelevant, it's just a placeholder.

(I prefer a heavier line simply because it spools up quicker)

 

Roger

Yup, just a filler..^^

I heard that backing with braid is better. I don't understand how or why. IMO it's just a filler.

I heard that backing with braid is better. I don't understand how or why. IMO it's just a filler.

It makes the spool lighter so you have a easier start up.

I use any old mono in decent condition as a backing. I use a little less then half on reels that I'm going to finish with floro.

It makes the spool lighter so you have a easier start up.

I heard Aron martins talk about that before and it makes sense. I e never tried it.