Finally ran out of my cheap Zebco Omniflex line for backing spools last year.

 

This year I remembered what I *should* back spools with, I present to you a good option as i don't like to use tape:

 

Cheap, crappy and colored. Perfect as a backer for anything as it is the opposite color of probably anything you use. You also get a ton of yardage for $10

 

 

 

6 hours ago, HenryPF said:

Cheap, crappy and colored. Perfect as a backer for anything as it is the opposite color of probably anything you use. You also get a ton of yardage for $10

Same stuff I use for backing my spinning reels - $6.50 at Fleet Farm with free shipping.

 

I use Big Game to back my casting reels - $12 for the 1/4lb spool at FF.

I just took a bunch of old line off about a dozen reels today.  Sometime this month I'll be bringing them into Cabela's during the Spring Sale for them to all be re-spooled.  It takes them about 3 minutes per reel with their electric tornado line winder, and they do not charge for backing line either.

14 hours ago, gimruis said:

I just took a bunch of old line off about a dozen reels today.  Sometime this month I'll be bringing them into Cabela's during the Spring Sale for them to all be re-spooled.  It takes them about 3 minutes per reel with their electric tornado line winder, and they do not charge for backing line either.

Do they do a good job of putting line on?   I have heard horror stories so I always do it myself.  Does it depend on who is working?   I always spray my fluorocarbon at intervals as I put it on my reels.  I am just curious as it must work well for you.  

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

Do they do a good job of putting line on?   I have heard horror stories so I always do it myself.  Does it depend on who is working?   I always spray my fluorocarbon at intervals as I put it on my reels.  I am just curious as it must work well for you.  

I’ve been doing it there for about 15 years. Basically since the Rogers location opened. I know a couple of people who work there and try to go when I know they will be there. If you don’t like the way they are doing it, you can tell them to stop or do it “your” way. The one issue I have encountered is that they generally fill the spool a little too much for my liking. They will go to 100% unless you ask them not to.

 

I could probably do the bait casters at home myself because I can do it without any line twist. Spinning reels are very difficult to put line on without any twist at home. They are able to do this with ease there.

I should ask them to show me, but my shop spools my spinning reels with braid with no backing.  they have this multi wrap, end with a uni knot method that will not spin on the spool.  I tried to carefully untie it to reverse engineer the technique, but I always end up at their shop, "hat in hand".

 

I want to try some higher end braid this season. not sure they would be willing to spool braid I bought online.  ha!

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I’ve been doing it there for about 15 years. Basically since the Rogers location opened. I know a couple of people who work there and try to go when I know they will be there. If you don’t like the way they are doing it, you can tell them to stop or do it “your” way. The one issue I have encountered is that they generally fill the spool a little too much for my liking. They will go to 100% unless you ask them not to.

 

I could probably do the bait casters at home myself because I can do it without any line twist. Spinning reels are very difficult to put line on without any twist at home. They are able to do this with ease there.

Interesting about the spinning reels.   Do you just bring in the spools?   

1 minute ago, Fishin Dad said:

Do you just bring in the spools?   

Yes.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Yes.

Thanks!   I may have to give this a try.  Sounds easy.   I will give Owatonna a try since it is closest to me.   

On 3/3/2023 at 9:49 PM, HenryPF said:

Finally ran out of my cheap Zebco Omniflex line for backing spools last year.

 

This year I remembered what I *should* back spools with, I present to you a good option as i don't like to use tape:

 

Cheap, crappy and colored. Perfect as a backer for anything as it is the opposite color of probably anything you use. You also get a ton of yardage for $10

 

 

 

Spinning reels cheap mono is OK, casting reels use lighter weight cheap Dacron braid.

Tom

 

On 3/4/2023 at 6:09 AM, MN Fisher said:

I use Big Game to back my casting reels - $12 for the 1/4lb spool at FF.

 

$6.99 at Wally World...

9 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

 

$6.99 at Wally World...

I refuse to give any money to WW.

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I refuse to give any money to WW.

 

No wonder I ain't getting paid as a self checkout cashier!

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I refuse to give any money to WW.

 

BPS/Cabelas and DSG will match

6 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

 

BPS/Cabelas and DSG will match

Fleet Farm will not only match - but if it goes on sale someplace within 14 days...they'll refund the difference.

 

"If you find a lower, current, advertised or everyday price on any identical in-stock item at any local competitor* or their website, we will match that price. Additionally, if you purchase an item and it goes on sale you can bring your receipt in within 14 days from the purchase date and upon review of management the difference will be rewarded."

https://www.fleetfarm.com/static/faq-promotions-coupons#price-match-guarantee

 

 

11 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Fleet Farm will not only match - but if it goes on sale someplace within 14 days...they'll refund the difference.

 

"If you find a lower, current, advertised or everyday price on any identical in-stock item at any local competitor* or their website, we will match that price. Additionally, if you purchase an item and it goes on sale you can bring your receipt in within 14 days from the purchase date and upon review of management the difference will be rewarded."

https://www.fleetfarm.com/static/faq-promotions-coupons#price-match-guarantee

 

 

 

So why are you paying $12?...

Just now, Deleted account said:

 

So why are you paying $12?...

Supporting a local business.

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Supporting a local business.

 

They are owned by a private equity firm, and I'm sure that KKR's M&As department appreciates your support.

What’s all this crazy talk about stripping line down to the spool and then putting backing on?  Sure, I reline my reels both spinning and casting a lot but I only replace the backing about once every 5 years?. I just take my line off the spool to the knot where I attached it last time to the backing, snip it behind the knot and reline from there.  It’s backing, no need to be fresh or replaced IMHO.  When I feel it’s time to stop the backing (rare) I just strip the line down to the spool and respool with whatever line I am putting on the reel.  I more than make up the cost with all of the respools I do before removing the backing. 

Just now, TOXIC said:

Sure, I reline my reels both spinning and casting a lot but I only replace the backing about once every 5 years?. I just take my line off the spool to the knot where I attached it last time to the backing, snip it behind the knot and reline from there.  It’s backing, no need to be fresh or replaced IMHO.

Yep - going on 2-3 years now with the same backing on my 'older' reels. 5 new reels this year need backing though.

https://www.amazon.com/Piscifun-Fishing-Spooler-Unwinding-Function-dp-B08HLVDCZW/dp/B08HLVDCZW/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

 

For the spinning reels, this contraption actually works really well for spooling the line on with no twist. I didn't feel great about coughing up 30 bucks for it, but too many horror stories about BPS leaving people with train wrecks, and the price difference between good line online and in stores covered it quickly.