Load your own line? A few questions:

[Nauti Natured]

I just got a few new 50's and next on the to-do is to load them up with a 80lb. braid / 80lb. mono combo. (Hopefully 300-350yds of each?)

My questions are this:

1. Do I need a cushion of Mono under the braid? If so, how much? I would love to avoid another knot if possible but I know if Im down to that point I can pretty much kiss the big girl good bye regardless.

2. Is there any advantage in having it spun on a machine or can I load it up myself?

3. What knot would you use to keep the two together that would fly through the guides at speed without busting apart?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!

[fmoore]

If the reel has an arbor, you can use that for the braid, otherwise, mono underneath imo. Other guys use tape, etc. Can't comment as I have never used any other technique besides mono/using the reel arbor. I usually use enough mono to cover the spool once.

I loaded mine up myself, caught a shark and a tuna this summer. I know that isn't saying much, but with 20 pounds of drag I was fine.

Use this knot in the braid: Spliced End Loop

Tie a bimini in the mono, then use this (loop to loop connection) to connect the two.

This is pretty standard procedure.

If I were you, I would load the spectra with 100 yards of mono on top. Having 300 yards of mono kind of defeats the purpose of braid, imo, which is added capacity and higher line strength.

[gottaflylee]

I just got a few new 50's and next on the to-do is to load them up with a 80lb. braid / 80lb. mono combo. (Hopefully 300-350yds of each?)

My questions are this:

1. Do I need a cushion of Mono under the braid? If so, how much? I would love to avoid another knot if possible but I know if Im down to that point I can pretty much kiss the big girl good bye regardless.

2. Is there any advantage in having it spun on a machine or can I load it up myself?

3. What knot would you use to keep the two together that would fly through the guides at speed without busting apart?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!

Your going to get a bunch of diffrent answers on this on I bet...
1) Most poeple will put a winding of mono on first, but I have found that a wrap or 2 of "Vet Wraping" works like a charm.
2) With A machine, you can get your line on a little tighter and it is a LOT less work on you. I like to wet pack all my stuff...
3) With non roller guides I use a, from braid, a Bimini and do a reverse Albright...

[FXRScotty]

I also think you will get a better load with the machine.
I would use some kind of backing or even tape to be sure.
I used a slim beauty all this season withoout one failure and it will sail through the guides.

[Nauti Natured]

Your going to get a bunch of diffrent answers on this on I bet...
1) Most poeple will put a winding of mono on first, but I have found that a wrap or 2 of "Vet Wraping" works like a charm.
2) With A machine, you can get your line on a little tighter and it is a LOT less work on you. I like to wet pack all my stuff...
3) With non roller guides I use a, from braid, a Bimini and do a reverse Albright...

Lee,

Speak english to me Brother Vet wrapping? Wet packing?

[Nauti Natured]

If the reel has an arbor, you can use that for the braid, otherwise, mono underneath imo.

If I were you, I would load the spectra with 100 yards of mono on top. Having 300 yards of mono kind of defeats the purpose of braid, imo, which is added capacity and higher line strength.

The reel does have an arbor. Is the sole reason for the mono underneath to eliminate slippage?

I would rather fish with the mono most of the time because of stretch and its easier on the equipment which is why I wanted a good 300 yards on there. Most of the time I would likely not even see the braid. The braid would be there for the big one that I should have brought the 80 or the 130 for.... so I have a fighting chance due to the increased capacity.

Thanks for the advice!

[ifish42na]

Here's a good article to read on the topic. Give us a call to discuss...

[gottaflylee]

Lee,

Speak english to me Brother Vet wrapping? Wet packing?

Vet Wrap is what the Vet uses when a Horse or dog has a sprain or a pulled mussel. Your local drug store will have it but it is more pricey than getting it fron your vet.

Wet packing is just what it sounds like, you pack your line while it is wet, I take a 5 gallon bucket, run a arrow through where the handle was and through the line spool. Fill the bucket up with water and leave the hose running as you wind the line on your reel. This does 2 things, gives you more resistance when packing your reel and lubricates the mono and reduces the heat. I see and here people say that they got a bad batch of line and have sometimes wondered if the person winding the line on the reel at the store just to much pressure, over heating the line and causing it to weaken...

[SON OF SATAN]

The big thing is that that braid has to be packed on the reel tight. If not you could bury the line in too the spool if you were using alot of drag

[merry marlin]

Chris,

What fish will you be targeting ? Have you thought of going all the way mono? For our coast apart from GBFT I don't really see the purpose of complicating with braid.
MM