I use 6lb fireline on a Pflueger President 35 for vertical jigging and i’m having problems getting jigs that are quarter oz. and less to freespool to the bottom. Would it come off the reel better with more backing? How much backing do you fireline guys usually use?
There’s no doubt that the closer the Fireline is to the outside of the spool, the easier it’ll free spool off. I use enough backing to make sure that my spool looks like it’s completely full, if that makes sense. It’s kind of a guessing game for me usually, but I’ve been known to use a linecounter reel for measuring purposes before. Another way to do it is to put your Fireline on the spool first, then apply your backing until it’s full. Take it off onto another reel, then put it on the right way. A little time consuming, but it does work. I also use catfish line when possible, as it takes less backing to fill more space. Maybe someone else will have a better method than me for making sure you get enough line/backing on.
Once you get the jig a few feet below the surface, you should be able to use the water’s resistance and whip your rod a few times to get line off the reel as well. Even when I’ve got a full spool I find myself doing that with Fireline at times.
I agree with B Robinson. The nice part is once you invest initial time, your backing is always set.
I stopped using fireline a couple years ago. In my humble opinion, it frays easily. I’ve had better success with Cajun Braid and Power Pro. With any braid, you will get longevity from them if you lubricate the line occasionally.
I like Blakemores’ Real Magic.
For a jigging reel I fill no more than about 75yds of 6# braid on top of my filler mono…
The Pflueger 35 holds 140/8# dia and the fireline is barely 2# dia, so it will hold approx 300yds of the 6# braid.
You need about 100yds of 8# backing on that reel, then fill close, 1/16″ to the spool lip with braid, as it tends to “pack down” after fishing it a while.
If you don’t have a line counter like the one picured they are worth the $10-12…
“I stopped using fireline a couple years ago. In my humble opinion, it frays easily.”
I quit using fireline as well since there is definitely a break-in period that you don’t find with some other superlines. when it gets ratty and frayed is when it starts handling nicely but doesn’t seem to compromise the integrity of the line.
x2 on the reel magic
I’m surprised no one mentioned that you need to wind your fireline on as tight as possible. This is critical to prevent the line from digging into itself on the reel. If it digs into itself, it definitely won’t come off very easily.
Also, in cold weather, super lines as a whole are not going to come off your spool very well. By cold weather, I mean at or below 32 degrees. Under these conditions, your much better off using a good mono line.
Reel Magic will also help on both super lines and mono lines when fishing in freezing weather conditions. Spray it on the spool and your line guides. It helps prevent the line from soaking up so much water. Less water on your line means less water on the rod guides and in your spool.
Quote:
I use 6lb fireline on a Pflueger President 35 for vertical jigging and i’m having problems getting jigs that are quarter oz. and less to freespool to the bottom. Would it come off the reel better with more backing? How much backing do you fireline guys usually use?
Targaman,
I have been using Suffix 832 (6-2) and have been impressed with its manageability in cold temps. I have a 300 yd. spool that I have filled 4 spinning reels( Shimano Saros)with and still have enough left to fill one more. My point is, get that reel 3/4 full of backing at least and then finish it off with your hardline.
I have been filling my spools way out to the edge of the bevel which is WAY farther than I would go with mono. The hardlines have no memory so won’t come flying off the spools inadvertantly like abrasion resistant monos.
Like Joel mentioned, put a little pressure on the line while spooling to make it layer tightly on the spool.
Hope this helps
I’m pretty sure I could use more backing after reading the suggestions. Thanks for the help. 
Thats a great tip on the line counter, Tom! I use a lot of braid and its pretty disappointing when I attempt to spool up and find I don’t have enough left because I’ve put too much on another reel.. Its always been a guessing game for me in the past erring on the side of caution because you hate to cut it short, but this little tip is going to save me a lot of money and frustrations.
I go with power pro. Fire line is flat and gets hung up on the spool! Power pro is round and comes off smooth.
I second the Sufix 832 for winter fishing and have gotten away from power pro to the sufix seige for my walleye rods.
The cajun braid is a really good line for castability.
I wear a old pair of soft leather gloves and pinch that line hard with the drag tightend down when spooling braids.
Good replies all… I would add;
1)Dean put me on 832 and last Nov it worked very well…
2)One of the oldest Braided line companies (FINS)is now moving into the freshwater market in an 8 strand, round formulation, got a sample at the Fishing Show,spools beautifully, we’ll see how it fishes and will report…comes in Hot Pink for BK 
!
I have decided that if I am going to fish more braid and fluorocarbon I needed to move on to wide spool reels like the Arbor…the line comes off in much longer coils, reducing a lot of line problems…The reel reps support this opinion as they told me at the show that wider spool designs are definitely coming in several lines.
4) once you have your backing figured out a surgeons knot or double uniknot will safely connect your braid to the backing… each year I pull the braid off in my driveway to the backing, cut it, and reverse it by retieing the old front end to the backing and reel it up. Voila! two seasons from 75 yds of line… I guess I’m a tightwad… 
Tom-I have done the flip flop thing a time or two myself. That stuff is pretty pricey to throw out.
From one tight wad to another 
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Tom-I have done the flip flop thing a time or two myself. That stuff is pretty pricey to throw out.
From one tight wad to another
here 2
works 4 me
Not all reels are design to handle fireline or braided super lines. Look at the line roller and the spacing of it to to the spool. I like my President reels, but the Shimano reels just do a better job at line management.
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