When using braid, what is the purpose of putting mono backing on it? I see a lot of guys doing it. Won't that put a weak link at the connection? Thanks

Braid will slip on the spool sometimes without mono under it, you can use tape under it without mono, blue painter's tape best. I use braid on my large reels to add more line. I am changing all my reels to braid as re-spooled except the 50's and over. On most reels an Allbright knot works great to splice the line back.

This and it makes the braid go further. By using a mono backing I can spool up two reels instead of one.

Like the others said it keeps the braid from spinning on your reel, helps prevent overruns too.

I have little experience with braid. I used spider wire in the 90's. I liked the sensitivity, but you can have too strong a line. If you snag on a log, you sometimes have to pull the whole thing up to get loose. When I first put it on, I filled the spool with it. When pulling against a snag, it buried up on itself, creating a nightmarish backlash. Next time, I backed it up with mono, and topped the spool off with about 200 yards of braid. that did the trick. It never buried itself and did not slip. I still use that same line today.

The smaller line test will dig into the spool with a hard pull, on my freshwater reels I like 50-65#, the larger size does not dig in to the spool, Suffix 832 in my favorite.

With the cost of the Braid it is more economical to NOT spool the entire reel with Braid. (Depending on how deep your spool is.) Just spool 50-75 yds since most casts do not go to the connection knot. Or spool little over what you normally cast. Also, the Mono prevents spool slippage if you tie around the spool. If you run it through the spindle holes it won't slip but you have wasted 2/3 of the line that is on the bottom and not being used.

I use mono for backing on everything including mono. In other words I refill my reels by leaving 1/3 to 1/2 of the old line on the reel. More economical. Black Bass ain't going to spool you! :-)

Yeah, I agree main issue is the costs of braid, so backing saves money. I also do this on every reel I own. I use floresecnt Green saltwater mono for backing, I know when Im close to the end.

Two fold reason. 1) you don't have to put as much of the expensive braid on. 2) braid will cut grooves into you're reel when it gets pulled tight so the mono behind it keeps that from happening.

I also use 20lb mono backing on everything including flouro and braid. It will save you a ton of money on line if you fish often.

When fishing braid you really need a backing or else it will slip and you won't have a good drag system.

Braid slipping on the spool arbor is called "Ghost Drag".
You think your drag is slipping and it's the line on the spool.

I got this tip last year from the guy who cleans my reels. Instead of mono backing, put 3 or 4 wraps of teflon tape, like plumbers use, around the bottom of the spool before you put on your braid. Be sure to wrap the tape the same direction that the spool turns. It works like a champ and will keep the braid from scaring the spool, although I have never had this problem. After a year or so, when the working end of the line gets old looking, simply spool it onto another reel starting with the old end. Now you have nice new line on the working end again.
John

Bought a large spool of red Cajun mono, cheap and found out fast all it is good for is backing. Red color makes it easier to see when you are getting low on good line.

I saw this video with Aaron Martens the other day and it goes in the exact opposite direction and uses braid as a backing. After watching it, it really makes sense. He saves money by using the braid as a backing and just changing out the line that he uses day to day. He also claims it casts farther.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRxWUEvFeuc