Fireline backing??

I have four rod and reels (Diawa Sealines 27lc)and I just bought the large 1100 yards of Fireline 10/4 Smoke. After looking at the capacity of those reels, I think they say like 400 yards per reel for 10 pound. I want to redo all four, so should I leave some mono backing and then finish with the Fireline or do I need to go and buy a smaller spool of more Fireline? I will only use these rods for trolling in the summer and fall. What are your thoughts?
I also know I don’t need or want to fill them to capacity, but I was also told that the line counter reels are more accurate when they are spooled with more line.
So basically, how many Sealine 27 line counters reels should I get out of a spool of 1100 yards?

How many? all of them. I’d probably put 200-250 yards or so of 10# back on each reel, then fill them with 250 or so of fireline. Gander Mountain has bulk line, they will even spool it for you, I probably have them do 20 spools a year, but most of the time the do it correctly. I’d spool the fireline myself.

Check out FFO online ( fishrmans Factory Outlet ) I buy most my line there and normaly get spools of 10# Trilene Big Game in 1200 yard spools for under $10.

Mike,
You definitely want to put a mono backing on the reel to lay your FL on top of. you want to do that with ANY of the new super lines. if you don’t there is a good chance that the line will turn off the reel when the spool is not turning (NOT a good thing).
do not know about the line capacity you need. You probably do not need more than 175 yards for any trolling situation, you can add backing with some old 20 pound test mono-, and maybe step that down to 10 or 14 lb mono then tie on your FL.
the more at capacity you spool you line, the more the line counter should be.
good luck,
WE Expect pics…
Jack..

For what it’s worth, I never use mono backing with fireline… I tie the fireline directly to the reel spool and then use a small piece of electricians tape to stop the fireline from slipping. Works great and I don’t have to mess with a backing.

Without the backing you run into two issues.

1) – it just costs too darn much to fill the spool w/o the backing. I would have to guess that a guys could get hundreds of yards of unneeded braided line on a line counter to fill the spool.

2) – if you don’t fill the spool the diameter if the spool is GREATLY reduced and the amount of line retrieved with each crank of the reel handle falls off dramatically.

My suggestion is to use the backing.

Here’s a fool-proof way to determine the proper amount of backing when you have multiple reels to fill.

I always set up my trolling rods to hold one complete filler spool of braided line. In the case of fireline I believe you get 100 yards. That way when it comes time to replace the fireline I know exactly how much line needs to be replaced. The old braided line gets stripped off. You tie in where the old braid met the backing and then you re-spool.

Anyway….

Start by taping the end of the braided line to the spindle of the reel being spooled. (Yeah, I know, we’re putting it on backwards. )

Wind on the braided line using consistent tension.

Once you have all the braided on the reel, clear your linecounter (set to 000).

Tie the end of the braided line to your backing of choice. I like 10# Trilene XT.

Wind on your backing line until you get the spool to where you want it. Use consistent tension to get the line to lay properly on the spool.

IMPORTANT STEP: Make a note of the feet reading on your line counter after the mono backing has been spooled on the reel.

You now have one reel with the proper amount of line on it but the order of the braided line and mono backing is reversed.

Wind that first finished spool onto a second reel, using consistent pressure to get that line to lay nice and tight. You’ll notice the spool fills PERFECTLY and the braided line is on the working end of things where it should be.

Use the line counter reading recorded at “IMPORTANT STEP” to wind on the proper amount of backing line to the remain spools. Top off with one spool of braid per reel and you’re set.

Write down that line counter reading and the diameter of the line you used to fill your first spool and you’ll be good to go should you ever need to replace the backing. Write that info in black magic marker under the reel seat and you’ll never lose it.

Awesome idea! Thanks! No more guess work now!