One more dumb question about Spectra...
 

I'm trying to figure out how much braid I need.
I've decided to back up 2 sealine 20's and 2 sealine 30's with 65#
Obviously, the line capacities printed on the reels are based on mono line.
How do I know how much braid these reels will hold so I know how big a spool to order. Someone has got to have this down to a science by now...huh...or is there a "braid chart" somewhere?

I'm guessing 200 - 300 yrds should be good.

charkbait has the saltist listed as 400 yrds at 65 lbs of spectra. its mono cap is 270 yrds at 30.
the 20 sha is listed at 20/210 mono
the 30 sha is listed at 25/230 mono

http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrd.htm

Actually that's a great question that many of us have struggled with. I'm not sure if other companies are doing this, but Avet now publishes line capacity of thier reels for both mono and braid; so when I have the same question, I refer to their published information (the relevant part), and use it extrapolate so I can reasonably approximate the amount of braid needed.

Hope that helps.

Hmmm..we may be on to something...Thanks for the tip
http://www.avetreels.net/images/17282286.png

Here's some specs on a Curado 300

Line Capacity - Mono: 12/240, 14/190, 20/120
Line Capacity - Braid: 50/205, 65/120, 80/105

If you can't find a spec for your specific reel, find a reel with the same mono capacity that also shows the braid equivalent.

I have 2 Avet JX reels filled to 3/16" from the edge of the spool with 50lb spectra and it takes aprox. 480 yds. of tightly packed spectra to bring them to this point. Pack your spectra very tight!

So, check your reel capacity for the approximate mono equivalent (65# spectra = 16 lb mono and do the math: 300yds of 65# = ~300yds16# and vice-versa. :cool:

Thanks Red, ill keep this on my fav list.

Even better!

I was almost embarrassed to start this thread. Glad I did.

As I tell all my crews....No such thing as a dumb question....Just dumb answers...:D

When you fill up a reel first chose what lb. spectra you want to use, 50 to 65lb is what I use. I hate to waste spectra so I usually buy less than my reel will hold. I like 300yd spools, this is a lot of line and not too expensive. Twenty years ago you could not put this much pulling power on a small reel. If 300yds does not fill your spool to the level you want it, build up your spool with some mono. I usually put at least a small amount of mono on any reel before I put spectra on. If you put spectra straight to an aluminim spool put a piece of masking tape on it to keep it from slipping.

If you have a lot of reels to fill a 1500yd spool might be a good investment. I keep telling myself to get one. If you end up with odd but usefull lengths of spectra save it and splice it somewhere. All my old spectra ends up as backing.

A little know fact...

Most tackle shops have (short spools) of spectra in various Lb Test up on the shelves. They will sell you these spools cheap and you can do a triple surgeon end loop - a cats paw - and another triple surgeon to make a strong connection with other short spools. (Its basically a wind on connection with spectra to spectra)
There are other knots that will work as well.

I've tied it for a few people when they were on a budget.