2 Reasons To Use Mono Backing With Braided Line
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Braided line has a ton of benefits, including increased casting distance, thinner diameter, it’s stronger than mono of the same test, and it allows you to feel every nibble and twitch of your bait or lure.
However, here’s one drawback to using braid: it’s complicated to put on a spinning reel.
If you use normal monofilament, you can just fill your reel right up with it, but if you use braid, you need to put a base layer of monofilament on the reel beforehand.
This is called mono backing, and it could save you from losing the biggest fish of your life.
Check out the video below to see the two reasons why you should use mono backing with braided line, as well as the two common misconceptions about alternatives to mono backing.
Why You Should Use Mono Backing [VIDEO]
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If you put braided line right onto your spinning reel, you could risk get spooled and wasting money, but a base of standard monofilament line can stop that.
Here’s why you should put mono backing on your spinning reel when using braided line:
Reason #1: Braided line has the tendency to free-spin on a spool.
Braid is so slick and thin that if you get a big fish on, your entire spool of braid might start spinning freely.
You’ll know this is happening to you if you notice line peeling off your reel, but even when you tighten down your drag all the way it still doesn’t stop the fish.
Monofilament, on the other hand, grips into the arbor (the center of the spool) and will not freely spin.
I like to use monofilament here over fluorocarbon because it’s softer, so it will grip the arbor better, plus it’s cheaper.
And here’s another note about braided line free-spinning: even if a spool says it’s braid-ready, it usually isn’t.
These reels usually have a band stuck to the arbor that the braid can dig into, but when saltwater gets to the band, the adhesive will usually break down and allow the reel to free-spin anyway.
The same thing can happen if you put tape on the arbor for the braid to dig into.
Reason #2: Monofilament acts as a cheap filler.
Braid is expensive, and most reels need a few hundred yards of line to properly fill them.
Most braided lines come in 150-yd spools, which won’t fill a 3000 series reel, so 100-150 yards of mono backing will help fill it.
If you don’t fill your reel with line, you’ll lose a lot of casting distance because the gap between the top of the spool and the line will cause friction as it’s leaving the reel.
Conclusion
Putting a base of monofilament backing on your reel can help prevent your reel from free-spinning and save you money.
Check out this article to learn how to spool your reel.
Have any questions about mono backing?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who ties their braid directly to the arbor, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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I would think that using at least the same size mono as your braid would be safer if you’re surf fishing or on an offshore boat rod set-up because there is a greater chance of having a larger stronger fish on that could take you well into the backing. In which case I wouldn’t want to be fighting it on 10 15, or 20lb mono.
Those applications are a bit different than inshore depending on your setup. I personally would use more braid on a surf rod so that most of the spool is full of braid and the backing is just there to hold the braid on. For offshore, most people will use a top shot of mono on top of the braid (length depending on depth) and have most of the reel spooled with braid and small section of mono backing to keep the braid from spinning on the spool.
That was an excellent video. I’ve never had the slipping problem but it was informative. Anyway, how do you determine how much backing to put on? And what size mono would be best for the braid you are using?
Both answers can be found in this lesson: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/spool-line-spinning-combo/
What line weight should I use for monofilament backing if I’m using braided 10 pound weight line ?
Thanks
I always use 10lb for backing. The strength of it isn’t important, it’s more the diameter. I like 10lb or less so the line lays smoother on the reel.
My thought is using the recovery rate of your reel to figure mono backing. I have noticed that the average recovery rate is about a yard per turn. What are your thought on that.
Might work! The only issue I could see is as more line goes onto the spool, the larger the diameter gets so the amount per turn can change as well. But it shouldn’t be that much that it will drastically change anything.
Very succinct explanation, thanks for sharing
Thank you for the great feedback Rick!
Hi I am getting ready to load up a Penn Fathom 40NLD2 2 speed for tuna fishing. My plan is to use 300 yds of 50lb braid with a backing. It sounds like mono is the best backing. Should I use a 50 lb mono? And being this deep in the reel is a uni to uni fine?
Thanks
Hey Charles!
I would probably go with 20lb backing. You want to be close in diameter rather than strength for backing. A uni to uni would be fine to attach the braid to the backing.
Anything harmful in spooling up some backing and 30# braid to throw the 2 smaller sized whopper ploppers (the 75 – 9/16oz & 90 – 1/2 oz.) on a 4000 sized shimano stratic Ci4+ ? Could probably get away with 20# but would feel safer in not losing the lure with 30# braid, which b/o diameter is mono equiv. of only 8#. Considering a mono leader mainly as a hedge against the thin braid fouling in the front treble hook. Plan on throwing over and aside vegetation. I’ll be throwing the larger Ploppers 110 & 130 on casting equipment, but am still more accurate with spinning so that’s why I’d like to throw the smaller ones on spinning on a MH spinning rod, rated to 3/4 oz.
I don’t see anything wrong with that if throwing those lures. I use 30lb braid bass fishing and it works just fine casting topwaters. They are heavy enough to still get a good cast. If anything, I would upgrade the hooks to something a little stronger because you’ll probably end up straightening out a hook before the line breaks. Thats another benefit of the mono leader to help absorb some of the shock since braid has zero stretch/give to it.
Is it necessary to put backing on a spinning reel if your using braid?
Yes, if not the entire spool of braid will spin freely on the spool. The braid needs something to catch onto in order to stay snug. You could also attach a piece of electrical tape to the spool and tie the braid onto your spool if you do not want to use mono backing.
If lets say a 7′ MF spinning rod says 6-12 lb test required on rod. Can I use, lets say 15# braid. Would hat be exceeding the 12# rod max?
Yes that should be fine. I have used 20# braid on rods rated for 10-15lb.
I would think that using at least the same size mono as you braid would be safer if you’re surf fishing or on a offshore boat rod set-up, because there is a greater chance of having a larger stronger fish on that could take you well into the backing. In which case I wouldn’t want to be fighting it on 10 15,or 20lb mono..
In those situations you should definitely be using a larger reel and heavier line, so you can hold much more braid as needed.