Braid on Spinning reel

[yak_n_mike]

Questions on loading braid onto my spinning reel. I'm headed back to Florida next month and wonder since I'm spending 2 weeks inshore fishing if I should just go ahead and jump to using braid. I thought about trying in on the rod I use for frogs, but I'm not sure of advantage/disadvantage. Plus I could go to a heavier line at a smaller diameter.

1) Do I need mono backing for it? I read it keeps the braid from slipping on the spool?

2) How much mono to how much braid? Would it be ok to leave 50 yds of mono on the spool and top it with 70 yds of braid? I could use 1 spool of braid to fill 2 reels this way.

3) Leader or no leader? The guide I hired used leader on some reels, but not on others. All reels had braid.

4) Would I ever want to use a swivel instead of tying leader to the braid?

[Mr_Scrogg]

Questions on loading braid onto my spinning reel. I'm headed back to Florida next month and wonder since I'm spending 2 weeks inshore fishing if I should just go ahead and jump to using braid. I thought about trying in on the rod I use for frogs, but I'm not sure of advantage/disadvantage. Plus I could go to a heavier line at a smaller diameter.

1) Do I need mono backing for it? I read it keeps the braid from slipping on the spool? It does, but then again so does tape.

2) How much mono to how much braid? Would it be ok to leave 50 yds of mono on the spool and top it with 70 yds of braid? I could use 1 spool of braid to fill 2 reels this way. I wouldn't see why not. I've made the mistake of putting a tad too much mono on my heavy rod with 70# Braid. When I dial the brakes down, and toss a Koppers , I get about 8' into the backing.

3) Leader or no leader? The guide I hired used leader on some reels, but not on others. All reels had braid. Much debated. Sometimes I use leader, and sometimes I don't. Swimbaits, Frogs/Toads, Jigs I don't use one. But finesse, shakey, weightless plastics, I use 8lb co-polymer

4) Would I ever want to use a swivel instead of tying leader to the braid? Swivel will prevent line twist. I've never use one, and never had a issue. But then again, I don't use inline spinners, spoons, or flukes that much. Plus, I have hard enough time getting one knot right, with a swivel, I'd have to do it twice!!

[singingdog]

I have been using braid on spinning reels for 6 years. No backing, no tape. If you tie a good knot when loading the braid, the slipping issue is a nonissue.

Swivels for spoons and inlines, otherwise I tie directly on. It's a great way to constantly monitor the health of your knots and the last 2-3' of line.

The leader debate will never end. If it makes you more confident, use it. If you are fishing around sharp rocks/shells, then there is a very good reason to go with a good mono or copoly leader: braid has low abrasion resistance.

[Mr_Scrogg]

I have been using braid on spinning reels for 6 years. No backing, no tape. If you tie a good knot when loading the braid, the slipping issue is a nonissue.

Swivels for spoons and inlines, otherwise I tie directly on. It's a great way to constantly monitor the health of your knots and the last 2-3' of line.

The leader debate will never end. If it makes you more confident, use it. If you are fishing around sharp rocks/shells, then there is a very good reason to go with a good mono or copoly leader: braid has low abrasion resistance.

Isn't it time for you to be posting up some Piggy Smallies?

[oubassman]

Questions on loading braid onto my spinning reel. I'm headed back to Florida next month and wonder since I'm spending 2 weeks inshore fishing if I should just go ahead and jump to using braid. I thought about trying in on the rod I use for frogs, but I'm not sure of advantage/disadvantage. Plus I could go to a heavier line at a smaller diameter.

1) Do I need mono backing for it? I read it keeps the braid from slipping on the spool?
Don't have to, but adding mono backing is popular. I do, for the fact that I can make a spool of braid last longer. How much you use depends on reel size. Having 1/3 backing & 2/3 mono works for me.

3) Leader or no leader? The guide I hired used leader on some reels, but not on others. All reels had braid. Leaders are popular for 2 reasons, which is why I use them. 1: When fishing plastics and bottom bouncing lures, the leader will be alot more abrasion resistant than the braid. 2: Using leader also allows a spool of braid to last longer. I put about a 5' leader on, so that way on retie's, I'm only cutting the leader. Don't cut the braid till I run out of leader

4) Would I ever want to use a swivel instead of tying leader to the braid?

[CTGalloway21]

I use backing all the time. I just use enough to cover the spool. I love braid on spinning reels. Sometimes I use leader but when I do I tie directly and do not use swivels.

[flflash]

When you say inshore I'm guessing you'll be targeting Spotted Sea Trout, Redfish, Snook?
If so, 20lb braid will work fine and let you make Longer cast to spooky shallow fish, I dont back with mono just a wrap of friction tape, 2-3 foot of 20lb mono or flouro leader will help around teeth, oysters, barnacles, no swivels the toothy fish will go after the shine and cut your braid right at the swivel.
I like a 7' med/light spinning rod for spotted trout. Redfish and Snook need a bit more rod.

If your planing on Mosqiuto Lagoon Banana river area shoot me a PM.

[PA-Smallies]

1) Do I need mono backing for it? I read it keeps the braid from slipping on the spool?
I never use mono backing. I see no compelling reason to use it. Like singingdog said... a good knot will keep you line form spinning on the spool I've never had trouble with that ... ever.

2) How much mono to how much braid? Would it be ok to leave 50 yds of mono on the spool and top it with 70 yds of braid? I could use 1 spool of braid to fill 2 reels this way. N/A

3) Leader or no leader? The guide I hired used leader on some reels, but not on others. All reels had braid.
Yes, most of the time because in moving water I want to be able to break my line quickly in case of problems. Moving water creates a very dynamic environments and sometime you just got to bust you line and get to paddling! In addition most rivers in my area get very clear in the summer.. need a leader in clear water.

As a general rule if I was fishing lakes a lot...
clear water - definitely a leader.
Stained water or heavy cover - could tie directly

4) Would I ever want to use a swivel instead of tying leader to the braid?

I don't like swivels in general.. it creates on more possible failure point. I use a uni-to-uni to tie my leaders.... and my failure rate of the knot it negligible. If you take your time and tie your knot carefully.. it will hold.

[Padre]

I use braid on all my non-fly reels. As far as mono or tape underneath - up to you. Just make sure (no matter which way you go) that the knots are good. If someone else is spooling your reel for you, watch them tie the knots. If you have to ask if the knot is good enough to hold, it probably isn't.

I always use a leader, but that's probably a holdover from fly fishing. I just can't bring myself to tie braid straight to a lure or hook. Don't know that it matters, but having one makes me feel better, which means i fish better.

The only time i use a swivel is if i'm using live bait in saltwater and want a slip sinker. Slide the sinker onto the braid, tie in the swivel to hold it, then tie my leader.

Lots of opinions out there, many of them probably with better reasoning behind them than mine. Just because two people have two opposing ideas about something doesn't make either of them wrong.

[94Hokie]

On the backing question I would ask what type braid you are planning to use. Shortly after fire line came out I spooled a reel with no backing and it ended up spinning on me and I think it was because of wax type coating that was on the line. Ever since I have used a backing and switched brands (didn't like that fire line wasn't round). If you have some old mono laying around throw some on but not enough that you would ever cast or spool out enough braid to reach the uni knot connecting the 2 lines.