What size line?

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BloodyHand
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2013/01/25 09:37:52 (permalink)

What size line?

I'm looking to back my braid, and am not sure what size line to use for backing. I run 30lb. braid for my trolling rigs and 20 lb. braid for everything else. I have a monster spool of 15lb. mono laying around. Will this work for backing?
 
BH
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    FishinGuy
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 09:58:49 (permalink)
    If your putting on enough braid that you'll never see your backing, 15(or even 4) lb is fine. If you plan on seeing your backing I would go with 5lb heavier than the mainline.you don't need allot of backing to get the braid to grip the spool just a few yards. But if your trying to use as little braid as possible to cut costs I would go with heavier backing.on a side note I was flathead fishing on the river one night and fell asleep. Woke up in a daze in the early hours of dawn. Started reeling in one rod that had 30lb braid and 4lb backing only to find that a fish had taken my bait, all 300 yd of braid and nearly all my backing(though I didn't realize it at the time. Black line on a black spool is hard to see in the dark.) A soon as I came tight I lost everything save for about 20ft of 4lb backing. Felt really bad to leave all that line attached to a fish. I run heavy backing on my cat rods now.
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    D-nymph
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 10:25:16 (permalink)
    FishinGuy
    a side note I was flathead fishing on the river one night and fell asleep. Woke up in a daze in the early hours of dawn. Started reeling in one rod that had 30lb braid and 4lb backing only to find that a fish had taken my bait, all 300 yd of braid and nearly all my backing(though I didn't realize it at the time. Black line on a black spool is hard to see in the dark.) A soon as I came tight I lost everything save for about 20ft of 4lb backing. Felt really bad to leave all that line attached to a fish. I run heavy backing on my cat rods now.

    ha!  Bummer.  I've been awakened a few times to the sound of cats pulling drag on a reel.  Makes for an amusing alarm clock.
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    Porktown
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 10:33:50 (permalink)
    I'm getting ready to reline with braid too.  I was thinking similar for backing.  I'd hate to have something really nice on with too thin backing.  Too thick and the knot is an issue.  Also wondering if that mono will deteriorate?
     
    FishinGuy, what do you use as backing on the cat rods?  Mono or some sort of Dacron ect?
    post edited by Porktown - 2013/01/25 10:37:48
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    BloodyHand
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 10:44:15 (permalink)
    I got no problem tryin wire. You gonna show me how to use it TopDog? How will it affect dypsy diver depths? When i drop a four ounce sinker to the line after running 30 ft. out and than let 100 ft. of more line out, where is my plug runnin if it is a 25' deep-diver and I'm running it off the boards trolling at 2.1 mph?
    Anyhow, back to my question. I doubt that I will ever see the backing unless some freak of nature wants to see it.
     
    BH
     
     
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    FishinGuy
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 10:46:42 (permalink)
    I now back my cat rods with the same heavy mono I use for leaders 40 50 or 60lb ande mono. But I don't use very much, just a few wraps to nearly cover the spool. And an improved Albright for the connection(double over the mono, not the braid.) I would think that since the backing is completely covered with the braid it won't get any UV and shouldn't deteriorate as fast, but if I replace the braid I replace the backing. I've never had my braid slip on the spool, but have seen it happen to others multiple times. BH your 15lb should be fine.
    post edited by FishinGuy - 2013/01/25 11:00:58
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    bulldog1
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 16:15:43 (permalink)
    TD, lots of guys run wire, it works well...
     
    BH, I use 20# mono for my backing and put enough on to even out all of my reels after the braid is added. Spool diameter can really mess with line counter accuracy...

    Curiosity killed the cat, but for awhile I was a suspect.
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    Bogeyjoker
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 16:39:09 (permalink)
    I use 30# Ande or Trilene Big Game...cheap and tough.

    "Socialism...confuses the distinction between government and society.  As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all. "
    Frederic Bastiat
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    NotherOne
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    Re:What size line? 2013/01/25 17:57:06 (permalink)
    wire is the way to go when the water warms and they r deep. wire really transmits every head shake. it also makes beautiful artistic tangles..
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