can i put just the braid on the spool or do i need backing first? what kind of backing?

I would put some mono or dacron 1st.
Power pro will just slip on spool.

I put backing, if not PP can slip. I use dacron, some use mono

I use mono backing.
You don't need much mono just enough to cover the arbor plus some. It also depends on how much braid your putting on. I would put the braid on first then the mono to fill the spool til about 1/8 inch to edge. Then reverse so that mono goes on first followed by the braid.

About 5 turns of monofilament line, I use 15# to try and keep the knot-size down, try to bury the knot as you reel - you don't want the castable braid finding that knot...

Some guys use electrical tape but I find mono works better. Without some type of backing, the entire spool mass may spin on ya...definately use some type of backing IMO -

When this generation of braid first came out, I didn't realize that I needed backing. Lemme tell ya, I was scratching my head for most of a Saturday afternoon. Why can't I get those schoolies in?:doh: Now I put on enough mono to cover the spool and the schoolies waterski.

I use tape on the arbor, as Bloocrab mentioned. It is just enough for the bitterend knot to dig into. No problems so far, but haven't had a big fish take me down to test it... Tried it with backing, but the knot bugged the chit outta me, everytime out.
Also depends on the spool size and how many yards/$$ you want to put on. Packaging size is important. So, will a 300yd roll of 50# PP fill you up, or are you going to have a 75yard cut off???? Can be more economical to have it spooled in a shop, because it kills me to waste that much. I wish they would just sell it in 200-250yd increments as well. The 150yd packages work for me on 4000 class schoolie reels only.

yeah, i cant tell you how many spools of pp i have with 80yds or so of line left...they need to sell 1000yd rolls...

Make sure you put it on tight enough.

Make sure you put it on tight enough.

Yup. And DO NOT OVERFILL!!!! Truly worth having spooled up in a shop like Mike's. Pay for what you get, not the cut offs.

Yup. And DO NOT OVERFILL!!!!

In addition to that, be careful when you fill up to either not apply the last 50 yards (or however long you usually cast) under excessive tension, or just don't fill the reel completely to the lip.

Usually braid will "puff" up a bit after a few casts, especially long ones. If the line was packed on really tight right to the lip a few casts with the loose wraps from retrieving something like a Pencil Popper will result in a reel that wasn't overfilled on the first cast, but is a few later. This is particularly irritating at night because you might not notice it until your reel coughs up a wind knot.

All of the braid behind that should be packed on tight though. Be careful on graphite spools, I've crushed more then a few spooling up with braid.

Mike's the man when it comes to a tight spool..He has loaded mine multiple times and no problems ever. And that is conventional too.:humpty:

no backing = very frustrated

If I need the line capacity, I just put a layer of rubber tape or electrical tape on the spool to keep the PP from spinning on the spool.

you could also get another spool.... when the loaded one gets tattered you can end for end it on to another spool and your good to go for a few more. double your expence so to speak.

sol...

Doc,

It does come in 1000 yd spools.

ok thanks guys,,, backing it is and tight like mikecc says

Cabellas has larger spools.