I've wanted to try braid for a while now, and Dicks had some PP on sale, so I'm taking the plunge.  My questions are as follows.

1.  Should I use a backer?

2.  If I should, should it be heavy?

3.  Should I use a leader?

Thanks guys!

1.  Yes.  Mono.

2.  No.  Same diameter as the braid or less.  I use a 1/4lb spool of 6lb line I got for $1.99.  It's junk.  But if you want to save braid/money, you can fill the spool halfway with mono and then use braid just on the top half. 

3.  Yes, if you:

Want more abrasion resistance

Less line visibility

A little bit more stretch in your line

otherwise, no.  For braid-lure connections, use a palomar knot.  For braid-backing or braid-leader, a uni-to-uni has always worked for me, although I hear good things about the Albright/Alberto. 

I use PP and I do not use backing, I use the PP compression tape for tying to the spool and 95% of the time I do not use a leader.

But that is just me,

Later,

So you can use any kind of backing on braid? I have 4lb mono and 6lb flouro that I don't need I was wondering if i could use that to back up 10-12lb equivalent braid?

So you can use any kind of backing on braid? I have 4lb mono and 6lb flouro that I don't need I was wondering if i could use that to back up 10-12lb equivalent braid?

I would not put that low of braid on a baitcaster, it will cause digging in the spool and you will have lots of break off ect...  I always use 50-65# and have been really happy with that.  The lowest I would go is 30# braid and when you spool it up on the reel make sure you have some resistance so you have a less chance of it digging in the spool... 

So you can use any kind of backing on braid? I have 4lb mono and 6lb flouro that I don't need I was wondering if i could use that to back up 10-12lb equivalent braid?

I would not put that low of braid on a baitcaster, it will cause digging in the spool and you will have lots of break off ect... I always use 50-65# and have been really happy with that. The lowest I would go is 30# braid and when you spool it up on the reel make sure you have some resistance so you have a less chance of it digging in the spool...

I think you misunderstood me or i was unclear. I said 10-12 lb equivalent braid (equivalent to mono), meaning around 50lb test for braid. So what I'm asking is can i use 4lb mono or 6lb flourocarbon as backing for 50lb braid

I should have read that closer, but yes you would be fine...

maybe a silly question...

if i put backing line on. can i tape it down and tie braid on top of it....or do i NEED to tie the braid to it?

or can i just tie braid to spool on top of backing..

sorry if this is dumb... i've never used braid and thinking of trying.  and i am not comfortable trying a uni knot yet.

If you use backing, tie the braid to it. Just practice the uni-uni a couple times. It's really not hard.

maybe a silly question...

if i put backing line on. can i tape it down and tie braid on top of it....or do i NEED to tie the braid to it?

or can i just tie braid to spool on top of backing..

sorry if this is dumb... i've never used braid and thinking of trying. and i am not comfortable trying a uni knot yet.

Why use backing at all ? Tie your braid to the spool using an arbor knot and use tape to keep your braid from slipping.

maybe a silly question...

if i put backing line on. can i tape it down and tie braid on top of it....or do i NEED to tie the braid to it?

or can i just tie braid to spool on top of backing..

sorry if this is dumb... i've never used braid and thinking of trying. and i am not comfortable trying a uni knot yet.

Why use backing at all ? Tie your braid to the spool using an arbor knot and use tape to keep your braid from slipping.

If you don't use backing are you completely filling your spool with braid?

If you use backing, tie the braid to it. Just practice the uni-uni a couple times. It's really not hard.

If you use backing can you still put tape on the backing as well as tie the braid to the backing. The reason why I ask is because i'll be getting my first baitcaster soon and I want the tape there because I know I'll be getting tons of backlashes when I start.

Can you use any type of tape?

Tie the braid to the backing, reel on the braid. Pull out a little more than a full cast worth of the braid, then put on a piece of tape to stop backlashes. So the tape will go on the braid, not the backing.

Tie the braid to the backing, reel on the braid. Pull out a little more than a full cast worth of the braid, then put on a piece of tape to stop backlashes. So the tape will go on the braid, not the backing.

Thanks sir!

maybe a silly question...

if i put backing line on. can i tape it down and tie braid on top of it....or do i NEED to tie the braid to it?

or can i just tie braid to spool on top of backing..

sorry if this is dumb... i've never used braid and thinking of trying. and i am not comfortable trying a uni knot yet.

Why use backing at all ? Tie your braid to the spool using an arbor knot and use tape to keep your braid from slipping.

If you don't use backing are you completely filling your spool with braid?

Yes sir and I reverse it and use it the next year but that's just me.

Doesn't that waste line still? I use about two or three casts worth of line for a season and then reverse it for the next season. Backing takes up the rest of the room on the spool.