Braided Line Question

I'm putting together a couple spinning setups for doing some inshore fishing. I plan on using 10 lbs. braid with a 25 lbs. fluorocarbon leader. I plan on just getting some 250-300 yard spools of the braid and I'm guessing that will not fill up my reels.

So should I use some mono or flurocarbon for backing and what lbs. test?

About how much should I put on before I switch to the braid?

On spinning I use 20lb braid it is the equivalent to 6lb mono diameter and it will usually fill up a spool. Instead of a mono backer I put a piece of electrical tape on the spool to keep the braid from slipping. When I do use a mono backer I only put about 10-15 turns on the spool just to make it stick.

We do like Bert. 20# braid over a couple of wraps of electrical tape. Spinning/braid gets the jig/plastic workout, we don't screw around with leaders, straight tie. Nobody has shown me the leader was worth the trouble.

I usually use 30# braid to about 50# depending on what I'm fishing for and I like a flourocarbon leader for a little extra abrasion resistance, but you also get a little extra distance, and when you cast the braid wont cut you if your holding the flouro leader!

Thanks!

I've been out with guides in the past but never asked about their setup. I think most of them were just using mono since it is cheaper to replace.

Other than that, I've watched some Flats Class TV and that has been my only other source of information for setup.

I have used between 15 and 30lb mono on spinning reels. Prefer 20# and under for the lighter setups. I have used mono backing and the electrical tape, though some reels now come "braid-ready" such as the Penn Battles. Have used lures with leader and no leader, I don't fish much, and have not noted the difference.

One other question.

For the electrical tape method, I just wrap some tape around the spool before winding the line on or what?

yes, couple of tight turns, then tie on your line, prevent the line from slipping.

Yep nothing fancy, I am sure there are some youtube tackle tips on it but the only thing I do is to cut it in half lengthwise and double it up on the spool.

1) I have been using Power Pro braided line since 1994. Power Pro was 1st introduced to the market in 1993. My father and I guided together back then under the handle Trout Scout Guide Service and put this braided line to the test year round. The Trout Scout Guide Service was one of the 1st Guide Services in Texas to be Sponsored by Power Pro.

2) So I started testing it in the winter months in gin clear SaltH2O ( no tides - no current back in Port Bay in February - try it, you'll know what I am talking about ) over several years - w/ leader & w/o leader .. no difference in the quantity of my catch or the size of them - with the Sea Green Power Pro.

3) I don't use any backing or any tape for Power Pro braided line. Why ? Well, when your wade fishing and you catch the fish of your lifetime, .. or something ya never dreamed about catching .. like a 30" Tarpon (yeah, right here in Rockport wade fishin w/ no boat !!!) .... - you might just get spooled, ... you better have plenty of line on your spool when that happens.

So, yeah, there is a way to spool a braided line like Power Pro w/o mono backing or thick electrical tape taking up spool space for your expensive terminal tackle braided fishing line .... so you can get a FULL SPOOL of your braided line on your reel.

I go into this in some depth in the "Terminal Tackle" section on my DVD's.

2017 is gonna be an awesome Fishin' Year - get ready !!!

Plus 1 on the Power Pro. You can even get the stuff and Walmart now. I use the 30# green. I spool a couple of base layers of mono on both my spinning and baitcasting reals. Connect to the braid with a Double Uni. Then use a FG knot to tie on a 20# Fluorocarbon leader. Then, Loop knot to terminal tackle (usually).

I think I get more strikes using the leader. Sometimes the water gets clear where I fish. Knots are not a problem once you learn to tie them. The FG and Loop Knots are both fast and easy and brilliant.

I am relatively new to braided line. Got turned onto it a few years back fishing in Alaska while working there. I will fish a line for a month or so. Once it gets worn, cut the first 75 feet off then replace it with a double uni. Saves line and money. I have a some buddies that will take their line completely off and reverse it. Have not tried that yet. Seems like too much hassle.

I have yet to loose an inshore fish by getting "spooled". I guesss the day may come?

FG Knot
# 1 Mistake

I went from 20 lb braid to 10 lb braid on my spin cast setups. I have had zero issues with any break offs and the casting distance difference is very noticeable.