So I've got a little dilemma with my gear. The reel I've been using for my 8wt saltwater setup will not hold the 200 yds of 30# backing I purchased for use when targeting bonefish. It is just a cheap "good enough" reel that I have used up to this point, and definitely not optimal for salt water use.

I only use this saltwater setup once a year at most, so up to this point I just couldn't justify putting a better reel on it. Now I'm headed to a flats trip and have been recommended 200 yds of backing at minimum.

So the question is do I cut off 50+ yds of backing and stick with what I've got, or do I put up some $$ and buy a reel that will handle it? If buying a new reel, what are some suggestions? The RLS+ is on sale at cabela's right now for $89. RLS+ But maybe there is a better option. What say you guys?

Colton fly has some great reels at great prices and is running their holiday specials right now. http://coltonfly.com/

or you could just go and get some GSP, like powerpro and in 30lb, you should easily be able to put 300 yards of backing on.

attach it to your flyline with a double bimini twist to keep it from digging into your flyline and possibly cutting itself off.

2Flyfish4 as a good idea to use the gel spun type line as backingand you should be able to get more line on the reel. There is no reason that you must use 30lb backing, You can decrease the the lbs and use a gel spun and add more line. The line lbs allows for more room for error and mother natures accidents to be dealt with on your terms. There is a small segment of fishermen that enjoy challeging there tackle as well as there selfs. Use 10lb backing on a smooth flat and knowing when to apply pressure is very possible. I will admitt that you may loose the photo of a life time. But it makes the next photo of a life time that much sweeter. Good luck and enjoy the challege you put in your hand with a long rod.

If you do go with gel spun, make sure you put a Double Bimini in the backing to attach it to the fly line. Gsp is thin and has been known to cut through the back loop of the fly line on occasion.

OK, you've got me, what is the difference between a Bimini Twist and a "Double" Bimini Twist?

A quick Google search just turned up regular Bimini Twist knots.

So, what's the difference?

A double bimini yields two loops instead of one, the extra loop helps spread the tension over a larger area on the fly line loop.



And if I was rigging my reel, i would use this loop connection

Back end of my fly line does not have a welded loop. Suggestions for using gel spun braid?

You could do an Albright knot to connect the backing to your fly line or you could add a loop to your fly line by using nail knots on a doubled over fly line.

Does the Albright knot risk cutting the fly line if I use regular braided line?

Thank you all for your input.

Thanks Ben, that looks easy enough. Which means it probably isn't....

I use Power Pro for backing on several reels, and I don't like loop connections. I cut off the loops and attach the braid to the line with a nail knot. Never had any problems with that yet.