This is geared towards the mono/hybrid/fluoro users vs. braid. 
 

I’ve always taken off all the line and respooled completely with fresh mono or hybrid. But I was on the last of my spool of Sunline Shooter Defier and it was not enough to fill an empty spool. I needed to put fresh line on and wanted to finish this spool as it’s great mono, so I removed about 2/3rds of the line, tied on new line with a double uni and filled the spool with fresh line (ended up with out 5 yards left on the refill spool). I also had a reel with Big Game and one with Yo Zuri Hybrid that needed fresh line and did the same thing. I’ve always used old line as backing line on spinning reels (when I used mono- it’s all braid-to-leader now), but never on a baitcaster. 
 

What does the majority do? All fresh line? Or 50%-75% new line over backing line? 

Depends on the spool depth. If it’s a deep spool I’ll just leave old line on as backing and replace the upper half or whatever that may potentially be used. Shallow spools are fully replaced every time.

Ok, that makes sense. I’m sure none of mine are shallow spools. Just seems like a waste of line to me. Thanks!

I run backing on all of my reels.  I put a full cast + 60’ of new line on.

I don't think my dad ever walked out of Academy without a spool of 25-lb mono/fluoro.  

 

Made respooling easy for me.  Take off just enough line to top it with 12-lb fluoro working line, and he was in business.  

 

Every one of my reels has backing.  I’ll have 75-90 yards of working line on top of the backing.  I replace the working line as needed.  And I know if I am out making some long casts on the water and I can start to see my backing knot on the reel then it’s about time to respool.  It minimizes how much line I’m putting on each time, but supernatural is pretty cheap to that’s not even a consideration (it is for my braid and fluoro reels).  

I back all my reels no matter what the main-line is. 60-70 yds of mainline, fill the rest of the spool with cheap mono.

Casting reels get 80 yards and pitching reels get 50 yards.

I primarily use mono, and I always use a backer unless I am starting with a fresh reel. Even then, I might use a backer if I happen to have some old line around.

 

 

The only time I start fresh with a is with a new reel. As a primarily non braid user, I always leave maybe 10 yards and fill up the rest with the new line. 
 

The purpose of leaving that much on the spool is because it is faster and easier to join lines with the Albright knot than to clear the spool, tie an arbor knot, yada x 3.

 

Because most of my reels serve double duty for bass and salmon, I don’t do 50% backing and 50% new line. 
 

casting heavy spoons for salmon can take maybe 1/3 of my line, and if I do a few cut offs to retie, or losing a lot of line from a snag, then I increase the possibility of the joining interfering with my casting, or exposing the joining knot serve as a weak point. Yeah, I’m over zealous on this, but I don’t like to have loose ends or leave things to chance. 
 

That said, I have been trying out the braid to leader (30# braid with a 12-15# mono or Cx21 PLine ) this salmon season and am pleasantly surprised that the joining knot ain’t as weak a point as I initially thought, so I’m definitely trusting it more — and my second reason, may not be something to worry about. I was landing salmon after salmon, and even after checking the connection after every fish, the knot was good. 

Always use some sort of backing on all my reels... Saves you money on line... 

I will never understand backing, no matter what you guys say.  If you only need less than 100 yards of line, buy a reel with the appropriate size spool.  Why have a 200 size reel if you only have half of that with usable line and the rest some sort of backing?  Last thing I want is a knot from backing to mainline to fail, especially considering the cost of baits I use now days.  Not for me and never will be, and will never make sense in my head (though your reasons make sense).

12 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

I will never understand backing, no matter what you guys say.  If you only need less than 100 yards of line, buy a reel with the appropriate size spool.  Why have a 200 size reel if you only have half of that with usable line and the rest some sort of backing?  Last thing I want is a knot from backing to mainline to fail, especially considering the cost of baits I use now days.  Not for me and never will be, and will never make sense in my head (though your reasons make sense).

When plus-sized bycatch is common, reel size & line capacity matter. 

These fish are capable of pulling significant drag, particularly using bass tackle. 

Getting spooled is a very helpless feeling. 

I use 3000-size deep spool spinning reels & 150- and 200-size casting reels.

Usually with at least a little backing, especially with small-diameter braid. 

 

 

A-Jay

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

When plus-sized bycatch is common, reel size & line capacity matter. 

These fish are capable of pulling significant drag, particularly using bass tackle. 

Getting spooled is a very helpless feeling. 

I use 3000-size deep spool spinning reels & 150- and 200-size casting reels.

Usually with at least a little backing, especially with small-diameter braid. 

 

 

A-Jay

Which illustrates my point perfectly.  If there was a chance I would hook into a fish of that size, I would want a deep spool and zero backing.

Having read and seen these fish, I think I’m good to go! 😂

32 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Which illustrates my point perfectly.  If there was a chance I would hook into a fish of that size, I would want a deep spool and zero backing.

I get that - 

However, a 3000 deep spool spinner can hold a bit more 10 lb braid than I'd probably ever need.

So I make up the difference with a little backing.

As for my connection knot - I look at it like this.

 My knots don't know where they live.

This implies that a connection knot attached to my bait is indistinguishable

from a knot attached to my backing.

Either it's good or it knot.

See what I did there ?

A-Jay

 

2 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

Why have a 200 size reel if you only have half of that with usable line and the rest some sort of backing?

To a certain degree, that’s true….but also consider all of your reel components tend to scale with the capacity of the reel. Those 200, 300, 400 class reels aren’t just there to hold more line, they’re designed to throw the kinds of weights, handle the kinds of torque, and bring in the kinds of fish that such a larger capacity is intended for.

4 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I get that - 

However, a 3000 deep spool spinner can hold a bit more 10 lb braid than I'd probably ever need.

So I make up the difference with a little backing.

As for my connection knot - I look at it like this.

 My knots don't know where they live.

This implies that a connection knot attached to my bait is indistinguishable

from a knot attached to my backing.

Either it's good or it knot.

See what I did there ?

A-Jay

 

I thought of that. To be frank, I do not overly worry about my knots to terminal tackle, or my leader knots. A double-uni is a good knot for same diameter line and easy to tie, and tie well. Should I run out enough line to get to that point, I’m confident in the knot. 

@A-Jay Goodness Gracious guy..

half those fish I hadn’t seen. Have you considered becoming a professional guide up on Menderchuck? 😁😁 

19 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

@A-Jay Goodness Gracious guy..

half those fish I hadn’t seen. Have you considered becoming a professional guide up on Menderchuck? 😁😁 

Thank you, but no guiding for me.

I'm just a hack who gets lucky sometimes.

A-Jay