I just got a curado 70 for Christmas and I was so wondering if I should just go ahead and spool it with 30 lb power pro instead of a mono backing. What's your guys set ups like? Mainly going to use it a flipping and jiging.

You have to have at least enough mono backing to cover the bottom of spool or the braid will slip and drag will not work correctly. 

I've got my 71XG setup with just enough mono to cover the spool and then 50# FX2 for a mainline. I can bomb a 1/2oz frog into the next area code. 

 

If you're going to be flipping and pitching, I would still recommend putting a thin layer of mono down like I said, or wrap the spool with a wrap of electrical tape. Braid will slip otherwise. 

I don't see any advantage in loading a reel with a lot of expensive line that will never see the light of day. I spool about 70 yards of braid , 2 long casts worth. Use small diameter backing and a slim knot you should be good. 

I dont do the backing thing, and almost everyone else does.  I have a few reasons reasonable or not and i will tell you why i think backing is not great.  1. Braid is lighter than mono or any other backing and it keeps spool startup for pitching as fast as it can get.  People spend tons of money to acomplish this to include new bearings and lighter spools.  2.  If i have braid all the way down i never worry about the condition of the backing.  Will it break or get brittle.  3.  I fill my larger reels and move the line to my smaller reels when i want to fill it back up.  I use a lot of 40lb and i move that from a zillion or steez to an alphas.   I love alphas and have a few.  I get bulk spools and fill the reel and i am done, for years i dont worry about changing or needing more line.  4.  I like long leaders and dont want 3 knots in my spool.  These are just my reasons and to each their own.  I use blue painters tape for one wrap of the spool.  It provides the friction so i get no slip and comes off with no left over sticky crap.

Use Dacron braid for backing, it's inexpensive, doesn't slip and lightweight.

Tom

3 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I've got my 71XG setup with just enough mono to cover the spool and then 50# FX2 for a mainline. I can bomb a 1/2oz frog into the next area code. 

 

If you're going to be flipping and pitching, I would still recommend putting a thin layer of mono down like I said, or wrap the spool with a wrap of electrical tape. Braid will slip otherwise. 

 

I have the same exact setup, wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks for the replies everyone. 

Picking mine up today!