Hello. I might be asking in the wrong area, and I apologize if that is the case. My question and scenario are regarding saltwater fishing. If I am asking in the wrong area, could you kindly point me in the right direction. With that said...

 

I haven't fished since I was in the Boy Scouts decades ago. I recently went fishing with my father-in-law and brother-in-law in Baffin Bay near the Kenedy Ranch, here in Texas. We were surf fishing and I was using their gear. After catching a 47 inch Red Drum, I was hooked.

 

I have purchased a rod and reel. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 and a Penn Rival (RVL20LW). I bought braided line (Spider Wire, 20lb stealth-braid) for this rod/ reel combo, as opposed to mono line. Each package is 125 yards in length. I was wanting to put all 3 packages of line on the spool, but am unsure of how to tie off, or connect, each additional "bale" of line to the previous one.

 

1- Can I knot all the line together?

2- Should I just find a package with the amount of line I want on the reel and just use that?

3- After reading several posts in the forums I am learning about something called backing. Should I use one of the 125 yard packs as the backing and add the additional line I want from a larger capacity bale?

4- The reel's capacity (per the back of the package) for the 20lb braided line is 865 yards. I would like to have between 300 and 400 yards, but will go up to the max if that is best.

5- Please remember I am new to this and so I apologize if these are elementary questions and basic information everyone should know. I am eager to learn and don't want to appear completely stupid to my in-laws by asking them every single thing.

6- I am not opposed to watching videos on YouTube to learn.

7- I appreciate any and all advice and I thank you in advance.

 

DisDAWG

Go online and buy Dacron 60 lb braid 300 yard spools D use it as backing. Use your 200 yard lb superbaiard as a topping. Use a simple blood knot to join the braids.

Tom

I appreciate the info. For the 60lb braid, is there a particular brand, or is it ok to go with any of the braid products? Also, should it be 4 strand, 8 strand, or higher? I have been looking at various makers/ brands and they offer it in different make-ups of strands. I'm just trying to understand it all.

Tur-Line has 50 lb Dacron line .045D about $25 for 600 yards on eBay. Use the Dacron braid for filler to fill the spool about 1/2" from full. Then tie on your smaller superbraid but I wouldn't go less then 30 lb test (.011D) so it doesn't dig down into the filler line.

I prefer FINS original PRT braid and join with blood knot.

Tom

Thank you.