Loading up for the Bahamas flats.. is this too tight?

I felt I needed a fair amount of backing.

Posted by TommyOh1965

11 Comments

  1. Yes, because in actual use you will end up with high spots that bind against the reel. If you want to max backing, cut off 10’ of the running line at the back of the line. Or use gel-spun.

  2. AnyDiscount3524 on

    No? Even if it was up against the spool by the time you thread it through the guides it’ll free up some more space, then even more so when you starts casting. This is perfect tho

  3. SixtyEightAndAHalf on

    If you unspool it enough to cast it, and then reel it back up, does it lay right? Because I like enough space in my reel that I don’t have to think about the line laying just right to be reeled up every time. If it doesn’t bother you while reeling back up, then you’re good.

    Personally I’d take another 25 to 30 feet of backing off, but to each his own. I don’t fish salt either, so I’ve only been to the backing once anyways.

  4. This picture is taken with the line all the way in… so 9 feet would take a few revolutions off.

  5. Yes. I prefer about a quarter of an inch between the edge of the line and the frame. In the real world it NEVER lays evenly on the spool and you can damage the line by forcing it to fit.

    Unless you’re in the salt, losing 20 yards of backing isn’t going to matter.

    And the reel spec sheet is not always correct.

  6. Dont forget when you add the leader it will add to what you already have which is too mich…

  7. Smoke-A-Beer on

    Looks like it will end up bunching up when you reel in fighting a fish. I’d say just a bit over spooled.

  8. Photon_Chaser on

    So, strip off about half the line and rewind like your fishing (no looking). When done can you easily remove the spool like you’re changing lines?

  9. I’d probably take a bit more off the backing. while i’ve had plenty of fish take me “into” my backing, it wasn’t like I was concerned with getting spoiled even with big bones. I think the risk of binding if it runs close to the boat and you got the lined stacked less even is more of a risk than lack of backing.

  10. Looks too tight to me. Right now you have the line pretty evenly spooled which fits fine. But when you’re reeling line on the water, you’ll likely end up with high spots on occasion that may catch.

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