[Whiskey Dick]

I have been thinking about using Gel-Spun Backing for a couple of my reels as it would give me more backing and give me piece of mind for an up coming B.C. trip. The backing i have been looking at is the "PowerPro", Cabelas sells it and it is not that expensive.
Pro's and Con's? let me know what you think, or what you use,thanks,brian

 

[juro]

I know a number of pros who use it to maximize capacity on smaller reels or to handle long running fish. I am also curious to hear the replies because I am of the 'meaty backing is better' persuation for me the ideal backing would be more flyline. but I could be wrong, interested in opinions...

 

[capt_gordon]

Power Pro is excelent for backing. You can put a whole lot more 50 pound Power Pro on a reel than you can 30 pound dacron. More is better.

 

[NrthFrk16]

I've never used Spectra for backing but I have alot of experience using it when it comes to gear fishing.

First of all, Power Pro is the best there is. No other Spectra on the market compares...

3 things to remember...

1)Power/Spectra's knot strength is not up to what standard dacron or mono is. Allthough you will not have much of a problem as the only important knot you are using is your backing to flyline connection. But, watch out for slippage when you tighten it down and because Spectra is so thin, watch for damage to the flyline after you pull tight.

2)Power Pro/Spectra is extremelly susceptible to eating in on itself. Make sure you spool the Spectra on as tight as possible. Either have someone put an incredible amount of pressure on the spool from which you are taking it off of or take it into a shop that has a high power line winder. The tighter you put it on, the better...

3)The abrasion resistence of Spectra isnt as high as dacron. If you get a fish that goes absolutely nuts and takes you around sharp rocks or through heavy brush, check your backing for any frays...if they form, disaster could take place on your next good fish.

These may seem like a pain but in actuallity they are not that bad. Just be aware...the strength and diameter (or lack thereof) of Specta is awesome and I know many a bluewater fisherman that swear by this stuff over dacron.

 

[Per Stadigh]

The cheese cutters......:hehe: !!

I have used them, or rather had them on my reels for several years now. The main reason, as mentioned above, is that they take so little space up meaning that slightly smaller & lighter reesl can be used.

My rigs are such that I have about 50yds of #50 dacron spliced to the running line (100-150'), to be followed by 2-300 yds of #30 Orvis (whatever?) gel spun.

This way I rarely get to see the gel-spun. Maybe one Atlantic out of 25 will run longer than 50' yds + the running line. If it takes off further most of the gelspun can be kept in the air with the sturdy dacron dealing with possible rock abrasion ets. (The dacron of course is gentler to the hands as well.)

I think #50 is good as it is stronger than any flyline core or leader - meaning that on really can hang on in fights and also pull at snags with maximum force.

But again, this is only one way to deal with the problem.

"Tight loops"

Per

 

[Domenic]

I use 50lb Power Pro gelspun for my backing.The only draw back that I have found is the dark colored gelspun seems to bleed on to the fly line. Otherwise great stuff.

 

[juro]

Great responses. Somehow I still get no motivation to change over, with all due respect. I think I'll stick with 30# high-quality backing, staying with ample capacity reels and continue on my trend to move toward large arbor reels with each new purchase.

Frankly, if a shop does not give you the backing when purchasing a $300-400+ reel and $50 line I would be really surprised.

Dacron bleeds into fly line as well, but I kinda like that. It provides a warning track before you hit the knot.

 

[t_richerzhagen]

Nail Knot

NrthFrk
It sounds like you nail knot spectra to your fly line? If that is what you are doing, I wouldn't recommend it. Trey Coombs has a section in his book on Bluewater Flyfishing on connecting spectra to line and backing. I have used an albright to connect spectra to dacron and then made a blind splice loop in the dacron. It works great.

I like Per's idea of 50 yd of dacron in front of the spectra to protect the hands and take some of the abuse from rocks.

 

[Whiskey Dick]

Micronite Backing

Thanks for the great answers to my question, But now i have a follow up question, Micronite Backing!!!!!, Pros and Cons, does any one use it, how has it been? do you like it,thanks inadvance,brian:devil:

 

[Dana]

I use 30# micronite on my "smaller" reels. Works great, but you do need to spool it on tightly and I also overlap my winds as much as possible to prevent the backing burying itself. Haven't had a problem with it.

 

[t_richerzhagen]

Bringing It Back

This has a good discussion of gel-spun backing.

 

[Greg Pavlov]

How about Fireline - Berkley's fused line - as an alternative ?
It has good abrasioin resistance, it tends to be underrated
(at least in the lighter diameters), and it tends to be easier
to spool on. I've used 10 and 14 lb "test" for most of the
spin fishing I've done during the past 4 years or so, and 30
lb test for a bit of muskie fishing.

 

[tonyd]

Out of all the super braids on the market,there are only 2 I would use.

The best one according to the overwhelming majority of warm saltwater anglers world wide is a product from Australia called Bionic Braid.It is hot pink in color and most seem to use the 50lbs(which is apperently under rated in strength).

Power Pro is the number 2 choice,but it is less expensive and easier to obtain in North America.It is also considered an excellent choice for backing and is less money than Bionic Braid I believe.

Both of these lines have hard,slick coatings on them that hold up well(don't peel off) and make them superior to all other super braids or gel spun lines,especially when used on wire guides.Lines without this coating will have more friction on your guides and can eventually wear thru wire snakes(and yes I have seen guides on 8wt and higher rods worn almost in half from both dirty flylines and 30lbs gel spun backing).If you use high end ceramics and not wire guides then you wouldn't have anything to worry about(that's why alot of baitcasters and spinning rods handle the super lines well).

If I was going to use gel spun backing then I would definately use minumum 50lbs rather than 30lbs.50lbs Power Pro or Bionic Braid is thinner than 20lbs dacron so good capacity increases can still be had over 30lbs dacron.The 50lbs is considerably easier on the hands than 30lbs and,due to being a little thicker,will not want to bind into itself quite as much as the 30lbs either.

For myself,I would try to get the Bionic Braid if possible and if it's not too much $$$,otherwise get the Power Pro.I wouldn't get anything else but these two.