Guys,
I am setting up my first leadcore rod. It’s a Mr Walleye 8’6″ with a Cabela’s DM-20a using Sufix 18lb. I have been searching the forums for tips on how much backing I should install but haven’t come across anything. Looking for suggestions on how much and what kind. Thanks!
I run braid backing of the same poundage as the LC on mine.
The easiest way is if you have a spare reel, to fill it with as many colors as you want and see how much extra space you have.
The second easiest way is to put it onto a spare spool after you’ve filled the reel, then transfer back.
in my mind, it was best to have all my LC reels with the same color scheme so that 1st mates could figure out depth easily, e.g. “ALL the reels are set to RED depth…”, but that’s not mandatory.
I would go with just enough wraps to just cover the spool using a heavy mono (10 lb or greater).
Depends how much lead your putting on. I have some smaller reels with half core (5 colors) and when running the basin on Mille Lacs will be running almost all the lead and have had Muskies hit and run 100′ into my backing at the blink of an eye! I would put as much backing on as you can and still get the amount of lead on you want. Just make sure you remember what kind of backing you use and how much so you can repeat it on another reel.
Here are your mono spool yard capacities / lb. test for your DM20A: 290/14, 230/18, 210/20
Next thing you need to decide on is how deep do you want to troll with your leadcore? On average – one color (30 feet) will get you a depth of 5 feet trolled at 2.0 mph. More times than not – 6 colors (180 feet of leadcore) will get you down to 30 feet and that should be plenty. If not, adjust accordingly.
The goal is to fill your spool up because your line counter reel reads revolutions of your spool and not actual feet. In other words, if your line counter spool is half full – it may be reading 13-18 inches per revolution versus 12 and you’ll be off up to 33% when you fish.
I like putting on heavy cheap mono – 20 lb test for my backing to help fill up that spool and then add my leadcore line.
So…. now I’ll answer your question. Since your spool can accomodate approx. 210 yards (630 feet) of 20 lb test line, reset your clicker to zero and put on 400 feet of mono (your clicker should say 600 when you’re done because you’re putting it on vs taking it off). Reset your line counter again to zero and now add your 6 colors of leadcore (180 feet) or until your spool is full. 
Never use braid as any backing.. never tie braid straight to a spool or it will slip over time. Always mono straight to the reel.
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Never use braid as any backing.. never tie braid straight to a spool or it will slip over time. Always mono straight to the reel. [/quote
I would use mono for backing but anyways you can tie braided straight to the spool. When you tie the braided line onto the spool get a small piece of electric tape and wrap it around the spool. Done deal!
I must respectfully disagree with BBK. Braid has been fine as a backing for me. I’ve run a host of spools (~20) only with braid and not had one slip.
Critical is having a binding surface (double stick tape) under the braid for it to bite into. I use the tape supplied in window insulation kits.
As a backing it has several benefits also as it allows 5x as much yardage in an equivalent space.
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