I recently was given an Okuma baitfeeder reel - the ABF 65. It is spooled half way with 12# Ande mono. I want to add braided line to complete the spool. Would 50# Power Pro braided tied to the 12#mono be ok?
Would it be better to increase the mono to a 15# or 17# test?
I would be tying the lines with either uni-to-uni, albright knot or slim beauty knot.
I will be using the reel in the surf on IOP and in Gulf of Mexico.
I appreciate all suggestions and/or comments.
Should mention that my research shows that the 50# PP is the same diameter as the 12# mono.
you’re fine tying on 50# braid, it’s just a serious case of overkill for anything inshore. Not to mention that it’s probably too heavy weight for the rod and for the drag. I spool most of my stuff with 20 or 30# braid. 30# has put everything to hand from trout to big reds, shark, amberjack and grouper.
Use the crazy alberto knot for joining braid to mono.
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Agreed with Too Busy, I’d go with 20-30lb Power Pro.
Personally I prefer to use a fat mono as the backer. You do NOT need a high quality $$$$ backer mono, just buy cheap stuff. In your case I’d use something like 30lb cheap mono tied to 20-30lb Power Pro using your choice of knot. The cheap mono is typically way stronger than the rate on the package. You don’t need anything “supple, castable, abrasion resistant/etc” for the backer. Just something with good tensile strength.
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
I appreciate the responses. I will look into the 20-30# PP. I figure I need 300 yds or so. I do have some 40lb mono (Trilene, I think - bought inexpensively at a close out sale) that I can use as the backer. With a 20lb +/- flouro leader, I should be all set.
Too Busy - I plan on using crab as bait thanks to your informative video. Thank you.
I had not noticed that the ABF65 is a spinning reel. You can try the 40lb mono as a backer but you may find it cumbersome. For some reason I was thinking this was a baitcaster, which always handles fat mono just fine.
For a spinning reel, you may want to stick with 20lb mono for the backer-- 30 at the most. You can find Trilene Big Game for $8 for a fairly big spool.
You probably do not need 300 yards of braid unless you expect to be hitting into fish that will be peeling drag. Even a 50lb redfish or black drum wouldn’t take 150 yards of 20# braid unless you get caught with your pants down while he runs off with the bait clicker screaming.
If you do use 300 yards of braid, give it a year and then flip the braid around so that you’re now using the “barely used” back end of the spool. Just clip off the end of your braided line (one long cast worth of line) to get rid of the heaviest used stuff, tie off to a tree, and walk away. This removes all the braid— when you get to the splice knot, cut it, and then go back to your tree and retie on the “used” end of your braid. This flips the more heavily used portion back to back end of your rod, giving you effectively “brand new” line on the top half of your spool. It will handle nicely and last twice as long.
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.