What to use for backing

[m089221]

I relatively new to trolling the lake and last year had some success.  This year I'm upping my gear and Im setting up 2 diver rods.  The reels are Okuma Storm Runner 45D.  Big reels.  Didn't realize how big when I got them off FishUSA last year as the pair was a deal.  I'm not planning on running cooper or steel on these.   Don't like heavy lines like that.  I want to run braid or mono and I'm confused as to whether I should use 30# or 50# mono for backing with braid as my main line or use something else for backing and what I don't know.  I've been reading braid is used for backing also.  I was also thinking that I might not want to run braid as my main line because of fleas and run Blood Run 30#.  Need some advice please

[Legacy]

54 minutes ago, m089221 said:

I relatively new to trolling the lake and last year had some success.  This year I'm upping my gear and Im setting up 2 diver rods.  The reels are Okuma Storm Runner 45D.  Big reels.  Didn't realize how big when I got them off FishUSA last year as the pair was a deal.  I'm not planning on running cooper or steel on these.   Don't like heavy lines like that.  I want to run braid or mono and I'm confused as to whether I should use 30# or 50# mono for backing with braid as my main line or use something else for backing and what I don't know.  I've been reading braid is used for backing also.  I was also thinking that I might not want to run braid as my main line because of fleas and run Blood Run 30#.  Need some advice please

 

So my understanding is you are setting up 2 braid diver reels and you are wondering if you should put backing on them first?

I would. It will take a tremendous amount of braid to fill a 45 series Okuma reel. I would suggest 20- 30# mono as backing. Larger mono such as 50# doesnt lay on the reel as flat. I would also suggest putting on 1000' plus of braid. The mono should only be used as a way "eat up" reel space and will never ever see the water. 

As for reel size. Some guys like the oversized reels for divers, such as the 45 series. Personally I use 30 series okuma reels and I spool on 300' of 25# to ensure the reel spool is 100 percent full when I spool on 1000' of ss wire or braid.

[RiggerRob]

Tried dedicated diver rod, made mistake of mono.  Hard to trip diver if not impossible & fleas in summer.  Then tried braid, fantastic in spring & late fall when there's no fleas.  Worked better than 7 strand wire when no fleas.

 

Ended up 7 strand wire with 65lb braid backing only because of research on LakeOntarioUnited long time ago & using a smaller reel than yours.  Larger reels need a higher diameter backing like 30lb Big Game.

 

When you finally chose what you're loading the large reel with, there also is an excel program out there that tells you how much of each line to put on the reel.  Maybe someone can chime in on that program or local tackle shop may help.

[J.D.]

Reel fill calculator:

 

This is  an excel spread sheet version.... hope you can open it. 

reel_fill_calculator.xls

 

Same thing in a ZIP file

reel_fill_calculator.zip

[m089221]

Thanks guys.  This helps

[sherman brown]

18 hours ago, m089221 said:

Thanks, guys.  This helps

The way I filled my Daiwa SG17 LC3B reels was to put the amount of braid on 1 reel first, then filled it up with my backing. then spooled that line back on another reel, and I knew how much backing to put on the other reel or reels and how much braid to put on top.

[HB2]

Make sure to use 65# or better 80# braid for fighting chance at the fleas.  

 

I like original Power Pro . 

[whaler1]

100lb braid is the same diameter as 30lb mono. Fleas are a complete non issue. Like said before mono stretches and you won’t be able to trip your dipsy to bring it in. Braid or wire should be your main line.