Probably a dumb question....

[triton18tx]

Just spooled up some braided line onto my new bait caster. (I’m new to braided line) While I was fishing yesterday around wolftever, I set the hook on a fish and the line kept spinning off the reel with the drag set. So my reaction was to just tighten the drag all the way down but the line kept coming out resulting in me losing the fish a good distance away from the boat because I couldn’t take control.

Is it the braided line or the reel?

Any help with this would be great.

Thanks!

 

[on fish]

Did you tie straight to the spool? No backing. If so ,braid basically has no stretch, even though your knot looks tite it doesn't bind down or bite to itself,always have a little backing to tie to or a few rounds of electrical tape around the spool first will give it something to bite too. Hope this helps and all isnt lost put the braid back on a spool correct the problem and respool

 

[FishingwithRusty]

as On Fish said.......mono backing. the first reason you already discovered, the braid will just slip on the spool under pressure. the other thing folks dont realize is that the mono backing serves as a buffer/shock absorption and will protect the reel. i have seen several bent spool shafts over the years from folks going directly to the spool with braid, a couple of good hooksets and the spool is rubbing the reel frame because the spool or shaft is bent.

 

[finbully]

and wind it on very tight!

 

[31airborne]

Don't feel bad - I did the same thing my first time spooling w/ braid. Just need a couple layers of backing line. I use the cheapest stuff I have (usually mono). Google "uni-to-uni knot" for a quick way to tie your braid to the backing material.

 

[occasionalfisher]

As has already been said, use some mono backing, I normally put about 20 to 40 yards of mono, (12 lb because I have a bulk spool of it) then put on the braid over it. Before cutting your braid from the filler spool, I always walk out all the line, tie the braid to something (A slip knot), then re-spool it as tight as I can, you will be amazed at how much that helps because you will have added 5 to 15 yards of spool capacity. Another couple of tricks that help, braid is fabric and will get static really bad, when you are winding the braid on the reel the first time, you need to put some pressure on it, I use an old dryer sheet between my fingers, it will kill most of that static out of the line. The other thing that really helps is spraying it with some reel magic before your trips. That will cut way down on the static as well and makes it cast much easier.

 

[swamp]

My advice is stay with mono,

 

[triton18tx]

Thanks for all the replies and tips. I will try these tips and let y’all know how it turns out.

 

[Tight_Lines]

Triton18,
Everyone above is correct backing of mono or flouro line is necessary before braid. though when when you go to connect your backing leader to your braid i suggest using the "Crazy Alberto Knot", pretty quick pretty simple, stream line and very strong!!! you can You Tube how to tie this knot.

 

[triton18tx]

Thanks, tight_lines! I will look into it. Every little bit of advice helps.