So today, I purchased a 6'6 MH Spinning Rod by Abu Garcia Vengeance. I also purchased 12# Stren Flourocarbon and this is my first time using anything but mono.

Any advice? Also, what does backing mean when it comes to my reel? I see people talking about backing their reel when using flouro.

THANK YOU

Backing is when you fill about half of your spool with cheap mono then attach the mono to your fluro with a uni to uni or any other knot you like that way you can spool more reels with a spool of fluro,braid etc..the bottom half of your line on your spool never even get wet or used so thats another reason, you dont waste it. Couple things, fluro typicaly does not work well on spinning gear and 12lb test is too heavy for spinning gear IMO. The biggest i will use is 10lb test and thats very very rare i like 6-8lb test mono or 20lb test fireline(8lb diameter) for some situations.. you can still use your fluro on what you have but if your hearts set on using fluro on it the least i would do is go exchange it for lighter lb test as it will be a bit more managable..

Agreed that 12# is probably going to cause you a lot of heartache on a spinning reel.  

#6 or #8

I agree with the above posts.

12 lb floro good on casting reels, not so good on spinning.

Might fligh off the spool like a slinky.

Another option would be 15 or 20 lb braid with a floro leader

I agree with the above posts.

12 lb floro good on casting reels, not so good on spinning.

Might fligh off the spool like a slinky.

Another option would be 15 or 20 lb braid with a floro leader

Braid is your best option if you want to go heavier with spinning gear. I didn't think I'd like it but now almost all my spinning rods have braid on them. 

all of my spinning reels now have braid (either 10# or 15#) and then a 8# flouro leader when i need/want it

I use either 12 pound Yo-Zuri Hybrid as a main line, or 10 pound 832 braid with an 8 lb fluorocarbon leader 4 feet in length tied with a Alberto knot.  12 lb flouro would be too stretchy and a slinky coming off the reel.  

You need casting gear. Or inshore grade spinning gear, for the vegetation. No really you do.

 

Return the rod, and buy a MH/F casting setup (~50# braid with or without leader) is my suggestion. Will work for heavier baits, and you can use the other M/F spinning setup for lighter ones.

 

Return the line too. You don't need fluoro unless you're serious about fishing on the bottom in deeper water, and I don't think you are.