Afalconsvick said:
I've never done mono backing before, but I can see if definitely saving a lot of money by doing so. This year I might try mono backing on all my reels. What line do you guys find effective for joining the two lines?
Uni-uni, blood, albright are all easy and effective under most but not all instances, but, they all have 1 trait that I cant stand and that is the tag end. Can be a real nuisance having that "spikey" end catching on line spooled over the top of it.
The following is how I spool my crankbait reels.(I say my crankbait reels, because its about the only setup I use where the full length of fluoro/mono between my reel and lure, all my other setups are braid to 6'-12' fluoro leader).
Anyway, bottom 1/3 of spool gets whatever cheap bulk mono I have laying around. Next, I spool up most of the way with braid. The connection here is relatively unimportant because unless something goes majorly wrong, it will never see the light of day. Next, I spool on about 2 casts of whatever fluoro you want to use. If your prone to backlashes, or more than occasionally lose a lengths of line, make it 3 casts worth. The key here is using a connection knot that doesnt affect or catch on the line spooled over it, and will cast seamlessly thru the reel/guides if needed. That knot would be the "FG" knot. When tied properly, there is no tag end to the fluoro to catch on overlying layers. You can take a lighter and melt the end of the fluoro, and pinch it down to a hair-like diameter, before finishing the knot.
Although the initial setup is a little complex, it leads to ultimate simplicity thereafter, the beauty is once its done it will last several years, and it greatly minimizes wasted line and time re-spooling, all you ever have to change out is the top 2 casts worth of line. It can be done on the water in about 5 minutes if needed. Also, it lends itself to greater versatility on an outing to outing basis. Can turn a dropshotting reel into a flipping reel in a couple minutes, with little wasted line. The reason for the braid under the topshot is 2-fold. 1- braid lasts for several years especially in a filler role, 2- the braid/fluoro connection via "FG" knot is snag free, it will not catch on line spooled over it, and will travel seamlessly through line guide, rod guides should it ever get exposed. A fluoro/mono connection is bulkier, and needs to be buried under a lot more line to not have an impact on casting. Last but not least, its about the strongest connecting knot you will ever find. Uni-uni, blood, albright wont even come close to matching it strength-wise, or smoothness through your setup. I learned it while seeking a smoother alternative for braid/fluoro connections. Many demos of it on youtube.
Is it warm out yet?
