New steelhead reel, not much room for backing

Mean Joe · 05-24-2006, 08:29 PM

I�ve decided to try my hand at steelhead fishing. I picked up an eight weight Lamiglas flyrod and an 7/8 weight Okuma Magnitude large arbor reel. The reel seems really nice, but I see a possible issue. The specifications for the reel state that it has capacity for 100 yards of 20 pound backing. In reality I can only get about 15 yards of backing on before I run out of spool capacity for the eight weight flyline. My past experience battling steelhead with spinning rods, and large trout on my six weight flyrod tells me that less than 20 yards of backing seems pretty inadequate. I�m thinking about returning the reel & getting one with more capacity for at least 100 or more yards of backing. Any thoughts on this?

AndyK · 05-24-2006, 08:38 PM

Sounds inadequate to me also.

I'm not familiar with the reel, so I don't know the capacities. I have �squeezed� more backing on reels by using 50 lb. Tuff Line. But that may not be the answer for you.

Bottom line is you may need a larger reel.

D3smartie · 05-24-2006, 08:43 PM

well something is wrong obviously if you cant get the 100yrds specified onto the reel. if you got it at a fly shop take it back to them and have them load it up properly or atleast outfit you with the proper reel.

Mean Joe · 05-24-2006, 08:58 PM

Actually the reel was professionally loaded at the sport house shop I purchased it at. I was told that the 100 yard spec must be for the 7 weight option, or they were misstated on the box. However I haven�t used the reel yet, and it can be returned.

D3smartie · 05-25-2006, 06:20 AM

return it and go to a fly shop. they might actually know what they are talkin about.
you could also try to load it with spectra or a braid.

leadeyedbugger · 05-25-2006, 06:32 AM

thats odd.....i have the same reel with a 8wt line on it and i have 80 yards of backing on it???????

steel_beaver · 05-25-2006, 06:54 AM

I think the spec is for 8wt WEIGHT FORWARD line... Is this what you're putting on it? I think if you have DT line it will take up more space and thereore limit your backing capacity.

I don't think the diference between 7 and 8 wt is that big... but I have been wrong before

Good luck!
S_B

Mean Joe · 05-25-2006, 07:30 AM

The line I have on the reel is good quality #8 Scientific Anglers double taper floating. When all the flyline wouldn't fit it all had to be removed to take off enough 20lb Dacron backing to make room for the DT floating line. The guy loading the line thought that there was still about 50 yards of backing left on the reel, but I thought I'd better check it myself when I arrived home. I measured 15 yards. I'm jest getting into steelhead fishing, but my intuition was telling me something was wrong with this reel setup. I'm going to return the reel and get re-equipped with something that holds my DT line and more than 100 yards of backing.

PTS · 05-25-2006, 08:07 AM

This is my opinion and it doesn't seem like many other fishermen agree, but I will just throw it out there. I have a "no backing rule". I don't let any fish take out enough line to get into my backing. Reason: If the fish get that far away from me it is going to take to long to land them and stress them too much for a high probability of survival. Sure, some fish break me off and others bend out hooks, but I really don't care about the fish getting away. This is off topic for this thread so I won't go into details about using strong enough rods, tippets, etc. and how to fight fish but I landed 30 Winter steelhead this season and 30+ redsides last week on the Deschutes and never saw my backing. Just say'in.

Mean Joe · 05-25-2006, 09:05 AM

Ok, a lot of things now make sense, and I have learned a few things as well. My choice of a DT line is likely a factor with this issue. This is also the first time I didn't go to a fly only shop to be outfitted with fly gear, I learned my lesson. I don't like letting big fish get into the backing either, but still want some there as back-up. With a Lamiglas rod I can fish with confidence, with 15 yards of backing I can't. Thanks for all your opinions and advice

D3smartie · 05-25-2006, 09:08 AM

I dont think i saw backing on a steelhead last year, nor on 99% of trout i have ever caught. I did see backing on the Missouri and 31" rainbows.
That being said i am going to have backing no matter what. the fish that i want to catch arent going to be stopped in 90'

steel_beaver · 05-25-2006, 11:13 AM

The only time I've seen my backing is when I hooked a Fall Chinook while fishing for steel on the Siletz

But I still have a 100+ yards on there, just in case one day I hook one of them 20lb steelhead

Sounds like a good idea to get a slightly bigger reel... when you catch a few steelhead you'll start thinking about nooks.... and then you'll need backing for sure :grin:

S_B

Grantspastor · 05-25-2006, 02:26 PM

I think that 20 yards is a little shy, but doubt if you'd ever need 100 yards of backing. With several hundred Steelhead landed over the last 40 years, I can tell you that in most cases when a fish runs into the backing, they usually only get 5-10 yards deep before turning. I know there will be exceptions to that, but the great majority won't run that far. The drag of the fly line in the water begins to put quite a bit of pressure on them. I load my reels with 50 yards of backing, and have never been in danger of being spooled by a Steelhead. (Sockeye Salmon? Now that's a different story!)

Just a thought, but I'd consider trading that Double Taper for a Weight Forward line. You'll be able to cast it farther, and it will take up less room on the Reel Arbor.

Chas · 05-31-2006, 04:12 PM

You are heading in the right direction in that returning the reel or changing lines is a must. To fish steelhead with anything less then 100 yards of backing is a major disappointment in the making. Having experienced the emptiness of being spooled I learned to error on the side of caution.
Tight Lines and have fun!

----------------------------------
"My birthday began with the water"
Dylan Thomas

Mean Joe · 05-31-2006, 10:50 PM

Chos:

Thank you for confirming my concern. I actually went back to the retailer & had the reel repacked with same grade #8 WF floating line at no charge. The additional capacity on the reel now allowed for about 70 yards of backing on this large arbor reel. I really like this Okuma reel, so I was glad to correct the earlier issue. 70 yards of backing is OK for putting my backup confidence to rest. Issue resolved & closed!

Steve L. · 06-01-2006, 11:38 AM

One more thing to consider. A lot of the reel mfg's are quoting backing capacity based on the new small spectra backings.