Mono Backing

Hi all,

What do you guys think about mono backing for braid on baitcasters?
I’v always been a straight-braid guy, but I’ve heard of more and more people starting to use mono backing. What are the benefits of it, and will it negatively affect casting distance?

Always have used mono. I use heavy stuff 17-20 lb. Big advantage is you aren’t spending big money spooling up a full reel of braid. I don’t know of any downside but I’m sure somebody will have one.

I mono back everything to save money on braid. I guess if it stays on the spool what would be the downside?

fishingdakotacountymn wrote:

Hi all,

What do you guys think about mono backing for braid on baitcasters?
I’v always been a straight-braid guy, but I’ve heard of more and more people starting to use mono backing. What are the benefits of it, and will it negatively affect casting distance?

Straight braid can slip on the spool, making the drag worthless. If the spool isn’t “braid ready” then put a few wraps of mono or electrical tape at the very least.

I use mono backing on all of my spinning and bait casting reeks hat I run braid on. Have been for 20 years or more with no issues. I usually run 10-15 lb, whatever I can find from m a decent brand cheap.

Electrical Tape and then straight braid, I really don’t run much braid on my rods.

I put a little hockey tape on the reel and fill it with braid. After a year I take my reels down to the park an tie the end to a soccer goal and walk until the spool is empty. Then I go back to the goal tie the used end of the braid onto the reel and reload it. Now I have the fresh non frayed line on the outside of the reel for casting.

Pat K wrote:

I put a little hockey tape on the reel and fill it with braid. After a year I take my reels down to the park an tie the end to a soccer goal and walk until the spool is empty. Then I go back to the goal tie the used end of the braid onto the reel and reload it. Now I have the fresh non frayed line on the outside of the reel for casting.

Pro Lazy amateur tip:

Instead of tying to the goal post just pass the loose end around the post and hold the reel in one hand and tag end in the other while you walk away from the post. You’re reel will be spooled with half as many steps and the tag end is right there with you to be tied onto the reel. This saves you a solid 2 minutes and 50 yards of walking per reel.

Also… Don’t try this at a dog park.

Straight braid….no backers. I only put a piece of tape on my ice rods because the only time I’ve had issue with slippage is in really cold weather.

I also move the braid from spool to spool….that saves money and time. Reel the old braid right off the other reel onto new. Voila – old braid on the inside and then use the braid that has never touched water. Thats a Pro lazy amatuer tip.

Yes sir. Mono backing on all of my baitcasters. Saves money on braid. As Matt said, go from one reel to the next and you get the “unused” line from deep in the old spool.

Pro Lazy amateur tip:

Instead of tying to the goal post just pass the loose end around the post and hold the reel in one hand and tag end in the other while you walk away from the post. You’re reel will be spooled with half as many steps and the tag end is right there with you to be tied onto the reel. This saves you a solid 2 minutes and 50 yards of walking per reel.

Also… Don’t try this at a dog park.
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I’m retired so I have plenty of time and I could use the exercise.

I put 4 or 6 lb mono backer on my freshwater spinning reels. I like to use bigger reels for casting distance and because of that they would take over 300 lbs of fireline. Fill up a little over half the spool with backer. Reverse the line as needed. I will add backer as needed to keep the spool full after cutting of frayed braid.

Pro- cheaper rare slippage if you don’t use something on the knot itself.
Con- can’t really think of any.