Micron vs. Gelspun

[goldfisher]

Besides the advantage of getting more backing on the reel, why do those of you who use gelpsun prefer it (if you actually do). Specifically I am interested in bonefish or similar applications. Thanks.

[ikan besar]

lifespan of material

[peter mac]

Less drag in the water

[Quicksilver]

I wish I could do the sound bite for my view. Gelspun is so thin that 50-100 yards of the stuff takes up very little room on the spool. If you employ Gelspun for your first 50-100 yards of backing you will preserve a larger circumference for your fly reel. The larger circumference translates to a faster retrieve when it comes time to reel the big girl in.

[eng5]

Just be aware that the gelspun can slice your finger quickly compared to the micron. I only fish for stripers right now, so micron is all I need for backing. Just my opinion.

[IFSteve]

Gel spun backing offers two advantages.

1. Already mentioned is that it takes up much less spool space giving more capacity and enabling higher speed of retrieve.

2. Only important on big long running fish such as billfish and tuna but there is much less drag in the water from gel spun compared to dacron and when you have at lot of line in the water the drag of it going through the water can exceed your tippet strength. This is not an issue with bonefish.

Steve