I'm putting braided line on a float rod. Anyone use larger diam. mono for backing? This stuff is so fine that 100 yards isn't going to put much bulk on the reel and at the cost, don't want to put 300 yards on. Kind of open to suggestions.

I use 20lb UG or if I have some around, 20 lb fly line backing. I like the fly line backing in a bright, contrasting color so I can see it clearly if I'm getting close...

Make sure you use the right kind of knot...

Using mono or other type of backing will help save the expensive braid, help the braid not slip on the spool, and help fill out the spool better - to name a few.

So far I've been using Power Pro and Fire Line in the 10 to 20 lb range and really like it.

I have several friends who use mono backing before putting the braid on the spool. I on the other hand put the briad only on my spools, but I use a spinning reel and I didn't use the aluminum spool. I used the composite plastic spool, it's rougher than the aluminum and it might help slipping of the line around the spoll . I approximate I have 700' of powerpro on that one spool.

Thanks, thats what I needed.

Some other options: use a piece of cork tape on the base of the spool to fill the spool and also to hold the spectra line; use two way tape to hold the spectra line when you just need the line to stick to the aluminum spool.

Also make sure that you match the mono backing strength to the spectra line...you don't want to use a 10# backing and then losing the fish and the expensive spectra line!

Since the only first 75 yds of line on your reel spool sees 95% of the wear and tear, "topping off" with braid is the most cost effective way to go. I spool up from the arbor with hollow braided dacron (flyline backing) to within 1/4 inch of the spool rim, and top off with superbraid.

You can make a 100% splice by running 4-5 inches of the superline through the hollow braid, tie in a figure-eight knot in the 2-ply section adjacent to the cut end of the dacron. The hollow braid grabs hold of the superbraid like a Chinese fingercuff. Passes very nicely thru the guides. Backing lasts forever... only replace the superline every 3 or 4 seasons.

So the braided dacron (not the spectra) does NOT slip on the spool?

Dacron is very "grabby"... it does not slip on the arbor. Other pluses, does not absorb as much moisture as mono. Does not stretch like mono. Lays flatter and more compact than mono. That's why it has been the gold standard for backing in flyfishing circles for decades.

The other problem is that it is very difficult to splice mono to superbraid with 100% strength. I have done it but it takes two Bimini Twists ( one in the mono and one in the superbraid). The mono Bimini gats very buly and does not pass thru the guides very well.

You really only need 100 yds of braid. Back it up with 30 lb dacron fly line backing in a bright contrasting color. If you look down and see your backing going trhu your guides you had better start praying to the fish gods!

Good tip fNp.

Use heavy 30 or 40# mono as you do not want to have the backing break off and leave 100 yards of P.P. in the river