Wire backing with mono?

[Irish Jigger]

I fish the Penn 113h reels on my spoon rods with Maja wire. Looking to replace the backing and wire this season and was curious as to how much backing and what lb test you guys who pull spoons use on your reels? My old backing was 40 lb pink Ande but not sure how much. I only use 150 feet of wire also since I only fish pretty shallow water.

Thanks

[NoLimit]

I would think the less stretch the better. The last thing you want with wire is loss of tension at the hook. Between the tackle and the wire, that’s a lot of weight to keep taut if you get a head shake.

[Angler Paul]

The key is to use enough backing so that when you add the wire it fills the spool to its capacity

[Billfish715]

The question about how much backing to use is always problematic. If you have two 113's the solution is easy. Fill one of the reels starting with the wire onto the spool. Attach the mono backing until the reel is to the level you want. Then, make note of how much mono you used. Once that is done, reverse the process. Rewind the new mono and wire onto the second reel. The mono will now be on the bottom and the wire on the top.

You can also remove the wire from your reel and mark the spool with a sharpie at the level where the mono meets the wire. Remove the rest of the mono and refill the reel with mono up to the spot that you previously marked. Then add your wire.

Practice your Albright knots to use when you attach your mono to the wire. The resulting knot passes through the guides smoothly with no need to use a swivel. But, practice the knot so the mono doesn't slip out from the wire connection.

The next best thing..........go to a reliable tackle store and have them do it for you.

[Capt. Lou]

If your using 40 or 50’# monel or stainless allow 1/4”- 3/8” on top of mono once backing is put on reel ! 150’ doesn’t take up much room it’s diameter is much less then mono of same test !
I would suspect 1/4” more then enough !

[Irish Jigger]

Thanks guys!!

[Billfish715]

A word of caution when spooling up.........The spool on a 113 or 114 has a slight bevel near the top edge. The wire should not be wound any higher than where the bevel begins. Too much line on any reel is a potential problem. Line can find its way behind the side of the spool or bind under the support bar across the top when it is reeled in and not wound back on smoothly and level. The gear ratio is most efficient when the line is higher on the spool. It means fewer handle turns to pick up maximum feet of line per crank. It takes more effort to reel in line when the reel is half empty.