That is a great setup. I would spool the 4/0 with 80 pound tuff and fish it. I have the exact same rod, although all roller guides, and it works great.

You will need at least 350 yards of tuffline, but the rest could be dacron backing. That's what I do, about 100 yds of 50 pound dacron, and then 80 pound tuff over the top. Just gotta be careful you don't put so much backing on you can't get enough tuff on!!!

Kurt

 

Ditto what Kurt says....although I keep a "selection" of 50, 65, and 80 spectra on different reels. When the drift is fast I use the lighter spectra since it cuts the water better.

Another often overlooked issue with spectra... when you spool it on it needs to be very tight. Since you have a 6/0, you could first spool it on the 6/0 moderately tight, then pull it off the 6/0 (with the 6/0 drag a bit tighter now) onto the 4/0. Use a wet washcloth to wet the line as you do the final spooling; this gives you something to hold the line with & pack it tighter. I like to do a fast cross-hatch pattern across the spool. All this is intended to prevent the line from biting into itself, and get more line on the spool.

If you buy a one-shot spool of Tuffline (at Joe's or wherever) you can do all this special treatment yourself. If you have someone spool it on at the store from a bulk spool, I would be very very careful, and ask him FIRST how he intends to put it on, what kind of knot he will tie, etc. I have seen a supposed "experienced" clerk completely botch this job before, only to find out at the chicken ranch. If you have him fill your 4/0, overfill it as far as you can because the machine can not pack it down adequately, and you will want to pull it onto the 6/0 to re-pack it.

 

The 50# works but I quit that for 80# after a few failures in battle.

The 4/0 is a perfect and inexpensive choice for the job. Most of us use the spectra type lines to greatly increase the line capacity of the smaller reels we can afford. If you use 80# dacron for backing use 35 yards for the 113H or normal 4/0 and 50 yards for the 113HLW or wide 4/0. Then spool the tuff line on over that. You should get 400 yards of #80 tuff on there with that much backing.

The ranch is 480 to 650 feet and you want to have something left on the spool when you hit the bottom so you get more than a few inches of line per turn when you reel in. Remember that drag settings made with a full spool will be much higher when you let most of the line out and the moment arm (half the diameter of the spool) is much shorter. So don't forget to check out your drag after you hit the bottom or risk breaking off a reel smoker if you hook one.

I have 2 or more of almost every reel I use. So another way to do this is to fill a reel with the desired amount and then fill the reel the rest of the way with the backing. Then just spool this onto the second identical reel with the drag set pretty tight so it will pack the line. The line is the correct length and you end up with the exact amount of backing you need. Also make a tag out of masking tape and sharpy permanent pen with lengths and # test the reel is loaded with to make refill easier later. You can stick the tag to the inside of one of the end caps or on one end of the spool.

MarkMc is right about having the store spool your reels. Don't be shy when you are spending $50 or $60 for a bunch of tuffline. Tell the guy what you expect and supervise or count on doing it again yourself later.

Hope you tear into a barn door Tinman and hope to see you out there this May.