how many metres of backing is best to use on 7/8# reels

peebs

Depends on the depth of the spool. Best advice get as much as you can on so when the line is added the reel doesn't get `line bound', where the line rubs on the frame when fully loaded. A fully loaded reel helps reduce memory coils, retrieves faster plus you always have plenty of backing should you hook up a monster.

Hi', Peebs. The reel manufacturer usually tells you how much backing the reel will take to fill it to the right capacity, often quoting 20lb or 30lb mono, eg. If you are in doubt, attach your fly line to the spool, wind it on, attach the backing and carry on until you have adequate working clearance between the material and the cage bars, as already quoted. When spooling lines, always layer the material evenly by guiding it with your forefinger, moving it from side to side, as you wind. Taking the line from side to side helps to prevent it from 'digging in'. My personal method was to take the line across left to right for three or four turns, and go back right to left for about five or six. Avoid building up heaps as you wind. TerryC

They are not very helpful really as all depends on the diameter of the backing , some 20 lb briad backing being thicker than others . I refer to the makers guide not your answer TC .
I found out the hard way when I put a 7# line on my reel . The makers say it takes a 5-6# line and 50 yards of 20 lb backing ( dont say if they mean braid or mono ) I got 100 meters of flyline backing braid and the reel took the lot and the 7# line
Next time I will use the method you said about , wind on flyline first then backing and then take it all off and reload the right way round

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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

or if its a cassette style reel flyline onto the spool first then fill it with backing, switch spools and wind it back on

cheers , that sounds the best way of doing it terry putting the fly line on first , then you can see how much backing it takes rather than having to start from scratch when you put loads too much backing on

peebs

"The reel manufacturer usually tells you how much backing the reel will take to fill it to the right capacity,"

Just my .02 cents here, but other than to fill the reel behind the line the amount of 'backing' you really need is 99% of the time 'over-kill.' Are there exceptions to that statement? Yup, with some salt water fishing.

Fresh water, even in rivers? Personal experience here only (and similar observations) on moving water it's like 'so what?' Example with a full typical 2-hander line .... line(s) are usually 120 foot long (there are exceptions that go to 150') and you hook a fish. Fish runs down stream and peels off 50 yards of backing (you've got 200 yards, or less on the reel).

To simplify the numbers, you've got a 5' leader on the end of the line. So MR FISH has 125' foot of line/leader off your reel, plus another 150 foot of backing, so he's about 250- 275 feet down stream (the usual) from you and working the current (in his favor, not yours). Personal experience here only, but unless you've got a hell of a long beach, or a boat to jump into to chase the ****** ... he/she's history. It just isn't going to happen.

I've landed some very large fish in my day and it was most unusual to have 25 yards of backing off my reel until it was 'obvious' who was in control.

Again, just my .02 cents.

fae

Fred, yes that is all fair enough . The other use though for backing is to pack out the reel/spool so the line is held in as big coils as the reel will allow and also makes for a faster retrieve .

__________________
Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
__________________

Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

What reel is it Paul and what line weight and density do you intend to load?

The Pirate.

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Hi Peebs, put your line on to reel first, then fill with backing, reel on to spare spool, then reel back on to original spool, this gives you exact amount of backing that your reel holds along with line.
Billy.