hi all just wondering if anybody can help me out with backing capacity required for Tarpon Fishing, i am heading out to cuba again in june & am going to experienece fly fishing for large tarpon (the big boys) & permit hopefully too! i have an abel big game fly reel which i am loading with a teeny wf12f saltwater fly line, now heres my struggle! what lb class & amount of backing should i use??? i was thinking of using 300yds of this 30lb backing: Cortland White Micronite Fly Line Backing 30 LB 300 YDS on eBay (end time 21-Feb-11 15:29:37 GMT) but what do i know lol.. this will be my first time at this so any experienced help/feedback from serious or regular tarpon fishermen would be greatly appreciated!

Surely 50 lb would be better? Which Abel BG is it - they have enormous capacity.

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Save the softmouth trout

I would favour 65lb power pro as backing. Its a similar product to Micronite ie GSP.

It is much thinner than std dacron for a given breaking strain - so you can afford to use a stronger version. Thus instead of std 30lb dacron, use 50 - 65lb GSP. 250 metres of either would be plenty.

A compromise would be 50lb dacron - but finding it is tricky.

Dont use thin gsp as it can cut your fingers. And make sure your knots are secure.

If you are using a 12w floater, then you will need a big reel (floaters take up more space than sinking lines). If you are short on capacity then consider cutting the flyline back (the running line end!) to 85 - 90 ft; that makes more space for the backing.

I dont know where you are fishing in Cuba - but most tarpon locations there require intermediate in preference to floating lines. In many places you need a fast sinker too.

Hope this helps.

cayo coco & please show me a direct link to this gsp stuff if possible

---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------

dumbass me lol.. i know what gelspun is i mean the power pro link

Snowbee were offering spools of Power-Pro in their annual clearance sale at an excellent price.They also offer Tufline XP in their current catologue.

Best JP

I use this underneath a 100 yard 'working' lengh of blue coloured 80 lb GSP. I've never seen it show on a fish but it's reasuring to know it's there.

I have a big 1,000 yard spool of blue speckled white 50 lb Dacron that I bought at Melton Tackle (east LA) when I was there. If you are completely stuck you can have a free 'fill up' on me. Without checking I can't remember the exact brand, but it was a top USA maker.

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Save the softmouth trout

that would be great but how would you send me the fill up lol.. & i would be happy to cover any postage involved as long as it is cheaper than buying a spool that is!

looks like i am not going to need the brand new wulff wf12f saltwater fly line i have just bought now either as it appears i need an intermediate tip or sinker from some of the above comments so it looks like the wulff is going to the classifieds section now!

Everything that needs to be said has been said, some great advice re backing.

Just as Squimp has suggested, all my big reels are fitted with 65lb Powerpro or XP Tuffline (Not Suffix as i said on another thread)

You are going fishing for big fish and your tackle has to be spot on and up to the job, and 300 yds of either of the above purchased in the UK is gonna be expensive. However if you need to compromise, you can safely compromise in this department, by taking up Ephemerellas kind offer.... As long as you can get around 300yds of Dacron on your reel, or a little less, you should be fine.

Presuming you will be fishing from skiffs, you are not likely to get any Tarpon run you 300 yds if you play them correctly, for besides the drag, they will probably be pulling the weight of the skiff and all its occupants along too. Any way, in an emergency your guide will set the engine and go chase your fish, so you don't run out of backing......Only ever happened to me twice, but it is good to know you have that option in reserve.

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Brian G

thanks for all the help guys! much appreciated!