Just a quick couple questions on using braided line. How much mono backing should I put on a reel that is using braid? Just enough to cover the spool? Is there a ratio like x-feet of backing to y-feet of braid? And finally, is the amount of backing needed for braid different from the amount of backing needed for lead core?

It varies for me, but I determine how much braid on I want or how much I can put onto my spool first.  Well, it's really lot of trial and error, but done it enough to get good estimate of what I want.  A general rule for me is enough mono backing to cover the spool evenly, so I can bury the line join knot into the mono. That's usually about 25 yards of mono backing for me.

A fool proof way for me is having two spools/reels.  I load one up with X amount of braid (usually 70-100 yrds), then top if off with mono.  Reverse that onto the actual spool that I'm going to fish with and it's perfect.

I have never put mono backing on a reel. Not had any issues with braid while not doing so either.

Well it all sounds interesting but I don't use backing before I put Braid on the reel and don't have any problems.The reels cast well and don't dig in so I figure I must be doing something right.

Another idea is place a wrap and a half or two of electical tape. This will help the braid grab instead of slipping on the spool.

The best argument for backing is expense. Even a small reel will hold an awful lot of braid and some mono underneath takes up some of the capacity. Some reel mfgs. have wised up and now include either a 'braid' spool with a larger arbor or an insert that fills some of the space on the spool. For most fishing 100 yds is plenty! The end-for-end trick works, but is difficult if you lack an extra spool or second reel. I'm not a fan of electrical tape on a reel, seems to always turn into a sticky mess for me. Tom

The general consensus is without something to hold the braid line down onto the spool there's the possibility of it slipping on hookset or during a large fish pull. It will work fine for a period of time for several fishing trips. Every reel spools is a little different in some way. The ported spools on baitcasting reels sometimes have sharp edges that will catch the braid line and keeping them from slipping. For spinning reels some arbors have grooves that are fairly sharp and will catch the braid lines. Many of the larger round baitcasting reels have a line screw on the arbor for the line to be tie on.

There are so many types of braided lines out there that the results will vary as well. Some braid line Sufix Performance braid has a tight weave and therefore makes for a higher volume braid to resist line dig in. Some braids like Spiderwire Stealth have a much more loose weave to allow for smoother casts through the line guides may have higher potential for line dig in on a hard pull. Some braids are soft and ribbon like, Cabela's Ripcord braid exhibit's this characteristic.

Sharp edges that catch the line sounds like a questionable feature to me. Tom

Posted By slipperybob on 12 Jul 2010 06:18 PM
The general consensus is without something to hold the braid line down onto the spool there's the possibility of it slipping on hookset or during a large fish pull. It will work fine for a period of time for several fishing trips. Every reel spools is a little different in some way. The ported spools on baitcasting reels sometimes have sharp edges that will catch the braid line and keeping them from slipping. For spinning reels some arbors have grooves that are fairly sharp and will catch the braid lines. Many of the larger round baitcasting reels have a line screw on the arbor for the line to be tie on.

There are so many types of braided lines out there that the results will vary as well. Some braid line Sufix Performance braid has a tight weave and therefore makes for a higher volume braid to resist line dig in. Some braids like Spiderwire Stealth have a much more loose weave to allow for smoother casts through the line guides may have higher potential for line dig in on a hard pull. Some braids are soft and ribbon like, Cabela's Ripcord braid exhibit's this characteristic.

This is correct and If you don't put backing on sooner or later you will be sorry. Fact! The expense Tom mentioned is also true.

Posted By Pegsguy on 13 Jul 2010 11:26 AM
Sharp edges that catch the line sounds like a questionable feature to me. Tom

I doubt it's a feature they built for that purpose, but yet that's what it does.  It's more like polishing or anodizing the spools were not part of the feature after the machine cut.  The sharp edges poses a benefit and a shortcoming.  Catching the line also means cutting into the line.  The intended feature for grooved spools is assisting in catching the line as well as preventing it to bunch up and creating a bulge in the spooling process.  For ported spools is to reduce weight in addition.

Every line is different.  Trilene XL and XT are powdery on the surface and have high friction against itself.  These lines stick better to the spool arbor than any other lines I've used.  Get something like Silverthread Excalibur and it will slip more until you put enough pressure to get the line to stick onto the spool and those grooves with the sharp edges helps to catch the line.  I don't require line joining with XL or XT as a backing for PE lines.  For Silverthread Excalibur, I like to line join them to prevent my braid from slipping around it.